Mauritania: Population, Economy & Travel Facts
Essential data for planning your trip to Mauritania — from population and demographics to economic indicators, healthcare infrastructure, tourism trends, and digital connectivity.
Population & Geography
Mauritania has a population of 4,403,319 spread across 1,030,700 km², giving it an average density of 4.3 people per km². With such low density, expect wide open spaces and a sense of remoteness outside major cities.
Population Density Map
Most Populous Cities
Demographics
Population Trends
How a country's age structure is shifting tells you a lot about what to expect on the ground. A growing elderly population often means better healthcare and higher costs, while a young population signals energy and growth but potentially less developed infrastructure.
Economy & Cost of Living
Understanding the local economy helps travellers budget effectively and set expectations. Mauritania is classified as a lower middle income country by the World Bank. Prices are roughly 31% of US levels, meaning your money goes significantly further here — accommodation, food, and transport are very affordable by Western standards.
Tourism
Tourism data reveals how popular a destination is and how much infrastructure exists to support visitors. Tourism accounts for 0.2% of Mauritania's total exports, making it a smaller part of the economy, meaning you may find fewer purpose-built tourist facilities but more authentic experiences.
Health & Safety Infrastructure
Healthcare quality matters when you're far from home. These indicators help gauge what level of medical care is available — Mauritania has 0.26 physicians per 1,000 people, which is well below the global average of 1.7. Travel insurance with medical evacuation coverage is strongly recommended.
Connectivity & Digital Infrastructure
Staying connected while travelling is essential for navigation, communication, and remote work. In Mauritania, 37% of the population uses the internet — connectivity can be limited outside major cities, so download offline maps and content before heading to rural areas. There are 91 mobile subscriptions per 100 people.
Source: World Bank Open Data