Mauritania: official statistics and sources
13 official bodies for Mauritania, from National Agency for Statistics and Demographic and Economic Analysis (ANSADE) to National Public Procurement Control Commission (CNCMP), with key figures from the World Bank and IMF. Official language: Arabic. Capital: Nouakchott.
Who holds power in Mauritania
- Head of state: Mohamed Ould Cheikh El Ghazouani (Président de la République islamique de Mauritanie)
- Head of government: Moktar Ould Djay (Premier Ministre de la République islamique de Mauritanie)
- Foreign minister: Mohamed Salem Merzoug (Ministre des Affaires étrangères, de la Coopération africaine et des Mauritaniens à l'étranger de la République islamique de Mauritanie)
Source: UN Protocol and Liaison Service list, dated 15 October 2026. All world leaders.
Unitary presidential Islamic republic. How local power works in Mauritania: 3 tiers of government below the nation, who is elected and who they answer to.
Part of level 6 of the 10 levels of power.
Government, regions and cities
- Government and power in Mauritania: leaders, governance scores, women in parliament, spending and the bodies that hold power to account
- All 15 wilaya of the capital, Nouakchotts: Nouakchott-Sud, Hodh Ech Chargui, Nouakchott-Nord, Assaba, Gorgol…
- Nouakchott (capital)
Key figures
What the figures show
World Bank data give a population of 5.3 million for Mauritania in 2025, against 4.0 million in 2015. It ranks 34th of 48 in the World Bank's Sub-Saharan Africa region and 123rd of 193 worldwide.
Mauritania's economy produced $11.7 billion of goods and services in 2025, in current US dollars. Divided by population it comes to $2,198, where the middle country in the region has $1,351.
Output rose 4.0% after inflation in 2025 (World Bank). The IMF's October 2026 outlook projects 4.4% for 2026.
For 2025 as a whole the World Bank records 1.5%. IMF projections put 2026 at 8.0%.
Unemployment stood at 10.3% in 2025 on the ILO's modelled estimate, which can differ from the national survey.
Government debt was 40.4% of GDP in 2025, the IMF estimates, heading to 38.3% in 2026. The regional median is 53.1%.
A baby born in 2024 could expect to live 68.7 years.
- Annual inflation since 2015: highest 9.5% (2022), lowest 1.5% (2016).
- Debt ratio 2015: 59.9%; 2025: 40.4%.
- GDP per person in dollars, 2015 to 2025: +41%.
Figures checked 2026-10-13; how they are compiled.
Official sources in Mauritania
Statistics office prices, jobs, people, output
- National Agency for Statistics and Demographic and Economic Analysis (ANSADE) (Agence Nationale de la Statistique et de l'Analyse Démographique et Économique)
Mauritania's consumer prices, national accounts, census and survey statistics. Not in English.
Central bank interest rates and money
- Central Bank of Mauritania (Banque Centrale de Mauritanie)
Monetary policy, exchange rates, monetary statistics and annual reports. Not in English.
Parliament debates, votes, bills
- National Assembly (Al Jamiya Al Wataniya / Assemblée nationale)
Laws passed, plenary news and deputies of the National Assembly. Not in English.
Government
- Presidency of the Republic (Présidence de la République)
Presidential decisions, speeches and Council of Ministers communiqués. Not in English.
Laws and the official gazette the text of laws
- Ministry of the General Secretariat of the Government (Ministère chargé du Secrétariat Général du Gouvernement)
The Journal officiel and the texts of laws and decrees. Not in English.
Courts judgments
- Constitutional Council (Al Majlis Al Doustouri / Conseil constitutionnel)
Decisions on the constitutionality of laws and on election disputes. Not in English.
- Supreme Court of Mauritania (المحكمة العليا)
Information on the Supreme Court and its chambers, with court news and decisions. Not in English.
Public audit how public money was spent
- Court of Accounts (Cour des comptes)
Public reports on audits of state accounts and public enterprises. Not in English.
Regulators
- Regulatory Authority (Autorité de Régulation)
Decisions and licences for telecoms, electricity and water services. Not in English.
- High Authority for the Press and Audiovisual (HAPA) (Haute Autorité de la Presse et de l'Audiovisuel)
Media regulation decisions, broadcasting licences and campaign airtime rules. Not in English.
Public registers companies, land, charities
- Investment Promotion Agency of Mauritania (APIM) (Agence de Promotion des Investissements en Mauritanie)
Business creation through the one-stop shop, investment guidance and company registration procedures.
Public contracts government tenders and awards
- Public Procurement Regulatory Authority (ARMP) (Autorité de Régulation des Marchés Publics)
Procurement regulations, tender and award notices, complaint decisions and procurement audits. Not in English.
- National Public Procurement Control Commission (CNCMP) (Commission Nationale de Contrôle des Marchés Publics)
Prior review of public procurement files and notices of tenders and contract awards. Not in English.
Notes
The Senate was abolished by the constitutional referendum of 5 August 2017; the IPU records a unicameral parliament.
Freedom of information in Mauritania
No general access-to-information law for Mauritania was found in the official sources checked on 2026-10-13. No access-to-information law was found.
What Mauritania does not have
- No access-to-information law or information commissioner exists.
- The data-protection authority provided for by Law 2017-020 has no website that could be reached today.
- No online land register or cadastre could be found.
- No official online association register was found.
- No public register of asset declarations was found.
Also: World Bank country data · IMF country page · UN Sustainable Development Goals country profile · IPU Parline parliament profile.
Mauritania by subject
- Economy GDP, growth, trade and investment
- Jobs and pay unemployment, jobs and work
- Cost of living inflation, poverty and inequality
- Public finances debt, deficit, tax and spending
- Health and care life expectancy, doctors and spending
- Housing homes, cities, water and power
- Crime and justice murder rate, courts and crime
- Immigration migrants, refugees and remittances
- Education schools, universities and literacy
- Environment emissions, air, forests and water
Power in Mauritania, from local government up to the G20
The global bodies above national governments, and the levels of power inside Mauritania. How the ten levels work.
Level 3: Local councils
- Local government in Mauritania how councils, regions and municipalities work
Level 5: Devolved and state governments
- Regions of Mauritania 15 regions, states or provinces
Level 6: National government
- Mauritania: national government this page
- Government and power in Mauritania who leads, the parliament and the courts
- World leaders every country's head of state and government
Level 10: G7, G20, Davos and global forums
Common questions
What is the population of Mauritania?
5.3 million (2025, World Bank). National figures: National Agency for Statistics and Demographic and Economic Analysis (ANSADE).
What is the inflation rate in Mauritania?
1.5% (2025, World Bank). Official index: National Agency for Statistics and Demographic and Economic Analysis (ANSADE).
What is Mauritania's GDP?
$11.7 billion (2025, World Bank).
How much government debt does Mauritania have?
40.4% of GDP (2025, International Monetary Fund).
Who publishes official statistics in Mauritania?
National Agency for Statistics and Demographic and Economic Analysis (ANSADE) (Agence Nationale de la Statistique et de l'Analyse Démographique et Économique): https://ansade.mr/
What is the central bank of Mauritania?
Central Bank of Mauritania (Banque Centrale de Mauritanie): https://www.bcm.mr/
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