Quick facts
Mauritania population overview
Mauritania is the 39th most populous of 58 countries and territories in Africa. The United Nations put the population at 5,388,671 on 1 January 2026; with an annual growth rate of +2.7% the live estimate on this page rises by roughly 397 people per day.
Over a full year that means about 178,904 births (33.2 per 1,000 people) and 28,021 deaths (5.2 per 1,000), and net emigration of roughly 5,928 people. The infant mortality rate is 27.5 per 1,000 live births.
World Bank data show the population grew from 824,298 in 1960 to 5,315,065 in 2025 — a change of +544.8%, or +2.9% per year on average. The population is at its all-time high today.
Demographically, the median age is 17.5 years; life expectancy at birth is 69.2 years; women have on average 4.6 children (2024, above the 2.1 replacement level); 42.4% of residents are under 15 and 3.2% are 65 or older (2025); 61.5% of people live in urban areas (2025).
The capital is Nouakchott. Mauritania covers 1,030,700 km², giving a population density of about 5.3 people per km². GDP was $11.68B in 2025 — about $2,198 per person (World Bank classification: lower middle income).
Mauritania population statistics (2026)
| Population (live, October 2026) | 5,504,269 |
|---|---|
| UN estimate, 1 Jan 2026 | 5,388,671 |
| World rank | #124 of 238 |
| Rank in Africa | #39 of 58 |
| Share of world population | 0.067% |
| Annual growth rate | +2.7% |
| Births per year est. | 178,904 |
| Deaths per year est. | 28,021 |
| Net migration per year est. | -5,928 |
| Birth rate | 33.2 per 1,000 |
| Death rate | 5.2 per 1,000 |
| Infant mortality | 27.5 per 1,000 births |
| Sex ratio | 96.5 males per 100 females |
| Median age | 17.5 years |
| Life expectancy | 69.2 years |
| Fertility rate 2024 | 4.6 births per woman |
| Urban population 2025 | 61.5% |
| Surface area 2023 | 1,030,700 km² |
| Population density | 5.3 per km² |
| Capital | Nouakchott |
| GDP (current US$) 2025 | $11.68B |
| GDP per capita 2025 | $2,198 |
| Income group World Bank | Lower middle income |
Mauritania population by year
| Year | Population | Change | Annual growth |
|---|---|---|---|
| October 2026 (live, UN-based) | 5,504,269 | – | – |
| 2025 | 5,315,065 | +145,670 | +2.8% |
| 2024 | 5,169,395 | +146,954 | +2.9% |
| 2023 | 5,022,441 | +146,804 | +3% |
| 2022 | 4,875,637 | +140,763 | +3% |
| 2021 | 4,734,874 | +134,743 | +2.9% |
| 2020 | 4,600,131 | +634,172 | +3% |
| 2015 | 3,965,959 | +574,994 | +3.2% |
| 2010 | 3,390,965 | +451,906 | +2.9% |
| 2005 | 2,939,059 | +325,618 | +2.4% |
| 2000 | 2,613,441 | +301,424 | +2.5% |
| 1995 | 2,312,017 | +360,139 | +3.4% |
| 1990 | 1,951,878 | +249,771 | +2.8% |
| 1985 | 1,702,107 | +228,064 | +2.9% |
| 1980 | 1,474,043 | +196,713 | +2.9% |
| 1975 | 1,277,330 | +177,524 | +3% |
| 1970 | 1,099,806 | +153,968 | +3.1% |
| 1965 | 945,838 | +121,540 | +2.8% |
| 1960 | 824,298 | – | – |
Change and annual growth are measured against the previous row; growth is annualized where rows are five years apart. The live row extrapolates the UN estimate and is not directly comparable with the World Bank series.
About Mauritania
Population over time
- From 824,298 in 1960 to 5,504,269 today — up 567.8%.
- The population is at its all-time high right now.
- Average change over the last 10 years of data: +3% per year.
Life expectancy & fertility
- Life expectancy at birth: 68.7 years (2024), up 25.1 years since 1960.
- Fertility: 4.6 births per woman (2024) — above the ~2.1 replacement level.
Birth & death rates
- Latest: 34 births vs 5.4 deaths per 1,000 people (2024).
- Natural increase of 28.6 per 1,000 a year, before migration.
Age structure
- 42.4% of the population is under 15 and 3.2% is 65 or older (2025).
- The 65+ share has grown from 2.3% in 1960 — the population is aging.
CO₂ emissions
- Latest total: 5.01 Mt CO₂ (2024).
- Emissions are at or near their historical peak.
- Per person: 0.97 t in 2024, vs 0.3 t in 1970.
Energy use & renewables
- Renewables supplied 19.6% of final energy in 2022 (-27.4 points since 1990).
Forest area (% of land)
- Forest covers 0.3% of land area (2023).
- Net deforestation: cover fell from 0.5% to 0.3% since 1990 — roughly 1,796 km² of forest lost.
Urban population (% of total)
- 61.5% of people live in urban areas (2025), vs 6.9% in 1960 (+54.6 points).
- Became majority-urban around 2014.
Water resources & stress
- Water stress: critical — freshwater withdrawals are 337.1% of renewable internal resources (2022, SDG 6.4.2-style bands).
- Renewable freshwater per person: 82 m³ in 2022, down 82.6% since 1961.
Economy
- GDP: $11.68B in 2025.
- Nominal GDP is up 88.9% since 2015.
- That works out to $2,198 per person.
Unemployment & inflation
- Unemployment: 10.3% of the labor force (2025, ILO estimate).
- Consumer-price inflation: 1.5% in 2025.
Internet & mobile
- 45.8% of people used the internet in 2024.
- Mobile subscriptions: 92.1 per 100 people (2024).
Mauritania in the news
Frequently asked questions
What is the population of Mauritania in 2026?
As of October 2026, Mauritania has an estimated population of 5,504,269. The United Nations estimated 5,388,671 residents on 1 January 2026; the live figure on this page extrapolates that estimate using the +2.7% annual growth rate.
Is the population of Mauritania growing or shrinking?
It is growing at +2.7% per year — roughly 397 more people every day. Each year there are about 178,904 births and 28,021 deaths, with net migration of -5,928.
What is the population density of Mauritania?
About 5.3 people per square kilometre: 5,504,269 people living on 1,030,700 km² of surface area (World Bank, 2023).
What is the median age in Mauritania?
The median age is 17.5 years, and life expectancy at birth is 69.2 years. 42.4% of the population is under 15 and 3.2% is 65 or older (2025).
How does Mauritania rank by population?
Mauritania is the 124th most populous of 238 countries and territories worldwide and the 39th in Africa, with 0.067% of the global population.
How has the population of Mauritania changed over time?
In 1960 the population was 824,298; by 2025 it had grown to 5,315,065 (+544.8%). The year-by-year table above lists the full World Bank series.
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Costa RicaSources & method: the live population is a linear extrapolation of the UN World Population Prospects estimate for 1 January 2026 using the annual growth rate (+2.7%); births, deaths and migration counters apply the UN crude rates to the live figure. Historical series, area, GDP and other indicators are from World Bank Open Data; the encyclopedic summary is from Wikipedia. Figures are statistical estimates, not census counts. Page generated 2026-10-19. More about our data.