Mauritania: cost of living

How fast are food prices rising in Mauritania?

Food and non-alcoholic drink prices in Mauritania were 12.5% higher in September 2026 than a year earlier, according to ANSADE's monthly consumer price note. Food prices rose 1.1% in September alone, driven by vegetables (+5.0%), meat (+1.2%) and fruit (+3.4%). Fresh products were up 12.9% on a year earlier.

Food has a weight of about half (5,030 out of 10,000) in the index, so food prices largely drive overall inflation of 9.3%. Housing, water, gas, electricity and other fuels were 8.9% higher, transport 8.9% and energy 13.4%. In September, the index rose 1.0% in Nouakchott and 1.1% in Nouadhibou.

Official sources: ANSADE: INPC monthly note, September 2026 (PDF)

How poor is Mauritania?

31.8% of Mauritanians lived below the national poverty line in 2019, down from 34.3% in 2014, according to the World Bank's national poverty headcount series, based on Mauritania's household surveys. ANSADE's Socio-demographic Statistics Yearbook 2025 publishes poverty rates by wilaya and area of residence from the same 2019 survey, alongside multidimensional poverty measures.

The national poverty line reflects the cost of a basic basket of goods in Mauritania and differs from international lines. 2019 is the most recent survey year with published results, so the figure does not reflect the price rises of 2026, when food prices rose 12.5% over the year to September.

Official sources: World Bank: Poverty headcount at national poverty lines, Mauritania · ANSADE: Socio-demographic Statistics Yearbook 2025 (PDF)

How much do basic foods cost in Mauritania?

A kilogram of imported rice cost MRU 50 in Nouakchott in December 2025, beef with bone MRU 250 and fresh onions MRU 44, according to average prices in ANSADE's Economic Statistics Yearbook 2025. Wheat flour was MRU 30 a kilo, and refilling a 12.5 kg gas bottle cost MRU 300.

Beef rose from MRU 200 a kilo in early 2024 to MRU 250 by the end of 2025, and camel meat by the same amount. The price of diesel stayed at MRU 50 a litre throughout 2025. The prices are monthly averages observed by ANSADE in Nouakchott markets for the consumer price index. Food prices rose by 12.5% in the year to September 2026, so current prices are higher.

Official sources: Economic Statistics Yearbook 2025

What is Mauritania's inflation rate?

1.5%: that is consumer price inflation in Mauritania for 2025, according to the IMF. Its high point since 2005 was 2005, at 12.1%; its low point was 2016, at 1.5%. Across Sub-Saharan Africa the middle value was 3.4%, and Mauritania placed 29th highest of 39. Worldwide: 119th of 165.

How much do households in Mauritania spend per person?

$1,066: that is household consumption per person in Mauritania for 2025, according to the World Bank. No year since 2005 has been higher. Sub-Saharan Africa median: $840; Mauritania is 14th highest of 37. World rank, highest first: 100th of 124.

What share of people in Mauritania live in extreme poverty?

In 2019, the share of people living on less than $3.00 a day in Mauritania was 10.2%, according to the World Bank. It was 19.2% in 2008. Across Sub-Saharan Africa the middle value was 59.8%, and Mauritania placed 5th highest of 5. Worldwide: 9th of 77.

How many people in Mauritania are poor?

The latest figure from the World Bank, for 2019, is 31.8%. It is 4th highest of 5 in Sub-Saharan Africa, where the median is 38.3%. Worldwide: 8th of 62.

How unequal are incomes in Mauritania?

32.0: that is the Gini index in Mauritania for 2019, according to the World Bank. That compares with 35.7 in 2008. Across Sub-Saharan Africa the middle value was 42.7, and Mauritania placed 5th highest of 5. Worldwide: 47th of 77.

What is food insecurity in Mauritania?

In 2024, moderate or severe food insecurity in Mauritania was 65.1%, according to the FAO. Since 2015 it has ranged from 26.3% (2015) to 66.3% (2023). Across Sub-Saharan Africa the middle value was 60.5%, and Mauritania placed 12th highest of 34. World rank, highest first: 15th of 135.