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Population Review

Rank #121 by World Population

🇲🇷Mauritania

Mauritania has a population of 5,022,441, ranking #121 in the world. The capital is Nouakchott. Located in Sub-Saharan Africa .

World Bank: Lower middle income

5,022,441

Population

#121

World Rank

68.5

Life Expectancy

$2,136

GDP Per Capita

Mauritania, #121 by world population

Mauritania Population History (1960-2024)

The country of Mauritania had a population of 824,298 in 1960 and 5,169,395 in 2024, a 6.3× growth over 64 years. The peak was 5,169,395 in 2024. Average annual growth rate: 2.91%.

2024 · 5.2M19602024
Mauritania population, 1960–2024 · Source: U.S. Census Bureau — decennial census & Population Estimates

5,169,395

Population (2024)

824,298

Population (1960)

5,169,395

Peak (2024)

2.91%

Avg Annual Growth

YearPopulation
1960824,298
1961846,167
1962869,184
1963893,423
1964918,955
1965945,838
1966974,157
19671,003,843
19681,034,739
19691,066,754
19701,099,806
19711,133,702
19721,168,355
19731,203,838
19741,240,188
19751,277,330
19761,315,336
19771,353,768
19781,392,713
19791,432,758
19801,474,043
19811,516,877
19821,561,176
19831,606,746
19841,653,693
19851,702,107
19861,751,835
19871,803,014
19881,855,859
19891,903,048
19901,951,878
19912,009,738
19922,088,135
19932,174,328
19942,249,454
19952,312,017
19962,358,188
19972,411,306
19982,474,651
19992,541,698
20002,613,441
20012,678,760
20022,738,655
20032,802,046
20042,868,664
20052,939,059
20063,013,660
20073,093,059
20083,183,269
20093,284,448
20103,390,965
20113,502,811
20123,619,034
20133,734,318
20143,848,514
20153,965,959
20164,086,657
20174,210,600
20184,337,685
20194,467,708
20204,600,131
20214,734,874
20224,875,637
20235,022,441
20245,169,395

Demographics

Population5,022,441
Population Growth Rate2.97%
Urban Population59.7%
Fertility Rate4.70 births/woman
Life Expectancy68.5 years
Infant Mortality Rate31.1 per 1,000
Literacy Rate59.5%

Economy & Trade

$2,136

GDP Per Capita

10.4%

Unemployment Rate

Lower middle income

Income Level

32.0

Gini Index (inequality)

92.2%

Trade (% of GDP)

Health & Education

4.3%

Health Expenditure (% GDP)

0.26

Physicians per 1,000

4.7%

Education Expenditure (% GDP)

59.5%

Literacy Rate

31.1

Infant Mortality (per 1,000)

Development & Connectivity

50.3%

Electricity Access

42.5%

Internet Users

138

Mobile Subs per 100

4.9

People per km2

2,999

Net Migration

Environment

0.3%

Forest Area

Other Countries in Sub-Saharan Africa

AngolaBeninBotswanaBurkina FasoBurundi

Mauritania in global context

Mauritania is one of 212 countries tracked. See how it ranks globally, regional shares of world population, and projections to 2050 / 2100.

World Population 2026: Top 10 Countries, Regions & Trends →

Other related entities

Angola (36,749,906)Benin (14,111,034)Botswana (2,480,244)Burkina Faso (23,025,776)Burundi (13,689,450)All countries →

Country rankings

Populated Countries in the WorldCountries With Highest GDP Per CapitaCountries With Highest Life ExpectancyCountries With Highest Fertility RatesCountries With Highest Literacy RatesUrbanized Countries in the WorldFastest Growing Countries by PopulationCountries With Highest Infant MortalityCountries With Highest Income InequalityCountries With Most International TourismAll rankings →

Frequently Asked Questions

Mauritania has a population of 5,022,441, ranking #121 in the world. The annual population growth rate is 2.97%.

Life expectancy in Mauritania is 68.5 years. The infant mortality rate is 31.1 per 1,000 live births.

Mauritania's GDP per capita is $2,136. It is classified as a lower middle income country by the World Bank.

59.7% of Mauritania's population lives in urban areas. The overall population density is 4.9 people per square kilometer.

The adult literacy rate in Mauritania is 59.5%. The country spends 4.7% of GDP on education.

Sources: World Bank Open Data

International data from the World Bank Open Data API. Population figures are latest available estimates. GDP per capita in current US dollars.

With 5,022,441 residents, Mauritania is a country in Sub-Saharan Africa . Its population is growing quickly, by about 3.0% a year.

Mauritania is a lower-income economy, with GDP per capita of about $2,136. Life expectancy is 68.5 years, below the global average, with a fertility rate of 4.7 births per woman, and 59.7% of the population lives in urban areas.

Source: World Bank Open Data, 2026.