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Economy of China vs Mauritania compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

China has a GDP of $18.7T compared to $10.9B for Mauritania, ranking 2/197 and 153/197 by economy size, respectively.

China has $16.6T in government debt (88.3% of GDP), compared to $4.67B (42.8% of GDP) in Mauritania.

China vs Mauritania GDP by year

China
Mauritania
1x
Year GDP, current $
China Mauritania
2024 $18,743,803,170,827 $10,908,045,687
2023 $18,270,356,654,533 $10,726,838,461
2022 $18,316,765,021,690 $9,557,966,698
2021 $18,201,698,719,564 $9,222,536,364
2020 $14,996,414,166,715 $8,260,752,385
2019 $14,560,167,101,283 $7,894,764,886
2018 $14,147,765,772,964 $7,473,550,557
2017 $12,537,559,062,283 $6,800,135,898
2016 $11,456,024,084,962 $6,398,747,592
2015 $11,280,814,787,469 $6,166,863,897
2014 $10,674,533,168,257 $6,592,537,782
2013 $9,743,124,247,267 $7,223,071,097
2012 $8,673,664,713,189 $6,728,208,836
2011 $7,671,757,207,851 $6,764,627,746
2010 $6,192,564,874,453 $5,628,878,798
2009 $5,189,577,094,998 $4,714,595,548
2008 $4,667,346,414,522 $5,206,437,194
2007 $3,604,055,822,572 $4,346,212,355
2006 $2,791,498,472,804 $3,919,577,286
2005 $2,317,551,298,052 $2,936,019,526
2004 $1,984,196,551,300 $2,362,501,023
2003 $1,683,903,309,844 $2,051,147,607
2002 $1,489,821,682,051 $1,777,057,481
2001 $1,355,036,590,252 $1,746,063,558
2000 $1,223,754,919,971 $1,779,520,886
1999 $1,103,843,203,576 $1,985,922,776
1998 $1,037,134,141,760 $2,032,347,665
1997 $967,753,570,435 $2,071,996,564
1996 $868,523,936,530 $2,132,087,009
1995 $738,190,896,228 $2,091,726,101
1994 $566,929,539,493 $1,944,876,755
1993 $446,557,291,212 $1,847,353,211
1992 $428,502,354,788 $2,164,298,425
1991 $384,510,452,962 $2,133,692,697
1990 $361,560,229,446 $1,506,914,408
1989 $348,380,566,802 $1,450,647,019
1988 $312,888,888,889 $1,414,951,290
1987 $273,455,156,951 $1,344,664,725
1986 $301,310,144,928 $1,186,628,778
1985 $310,064,625,850 $1,009,723,326
1984 $260,442,857,143 $1,074,373,230
1983 $231,130,268,199 $1,165,171,263
1982 $205,480,916,031 $1,108,776,653
1981 $196,218,253,968 $1,105,494,682
1980 $191,487,500,000 $1,047,925,106
1979 $178,573,913,043 $951,900,945
1978 $149,788,617,886 $804,629,877
1977 $175,226,595,860 $799,030,017
1976 $154,196,810,059 $775,045,517
1975 $163,687,619,736 $703,377,837
1974 $144,418,433,058 $613,010,553
1973 $138,764,340,892 $493,237,876
1972 $113,871,930,714 $391,669,449
1971 $99,959,013,880 $335,568,907
1970 $92,752,930,873 $309,405,316
1969 $79,847,786,729 $295,062,308
1968 $70,980,323,819 $311,395,937
1967 $73,011,350,596 $282,615,310
1966 $76,854,053,259 $266,533,605
1965 $70,565,994,356 $255,340,475
1964 $59,821,862,703 $224,495,744
1963 $50,812,227,919 $168,186,297
1962 $47,310,737,754 $164,271,558
1961 $50,162,299,350 $159,213,430
1960 $59,846,235,025 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/economy/china/mauritania | CC BY

GDP per capita in China vs Mauritania by year

China
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Mauritania
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
China Mauritania
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $13,303 $27,105 $2,110 $7,369
2023 $12,951 $25,179 $2,136 $6,966
2022 $12,971 $23,032 $1,960 $6,485
2021 $12,887 $20,843 $1,948 $5,837
2020 $10,627 $18,267 $1,796 $5,741
2019 $10,343 $17,601 $1,767 $5,610
2018 $10,086 $16,298 $1,723 $5,429
2017 $8,980 $15,022 $1,615 $5,353
2016 $8,255 $14,157 $1,566 $4,683
2015 $8,175 $13,463 $1,555 $3,978
2014 $7,781 $12,942 $1,713 $3,865
2013 $7,147 $12,228 $1,934 $3,831
2012 $6,405 $11,420 $1,859 $3,465
2011 $5,704 $10,457 $1,931 $3,271
2010 $4,629 $9,411 $1,660 $3,178
2009 $3,898 $8,448 $1,435 $3,159
2008 $3,523 $7,713 $1,636 $3,236
2007 $2,735 $6,935 $1,405 $3,278
2006 $2,129 $5,946 $1,301 $3,342
2005 $1,778 $5,148 $999 $2,809
2004 $1,531 $4,505 $824 $2,570
2003 $1,307 $4,007 $732 $2,447
2002 $1,164 $3,591 $649 $2,296
2001 $1,065 $3,258 $652 $2,280
2000 $969 $2,964 $681 $2,304
1999 $881 $2,690 $781 $2,411
1998 $835 $2,483 $821 $2,355
1997 $787 $2,297 $859 $2,325
1996 $713 $2,088 $904 $2,436
1995 $613 $1,884 $905 $2,306
1994 $476 $1,680 $865 $2,114
1993 $379 $1,471 $850 $2,209
1992 $368 $1,276 $1,036 $2,122
1991 $334 $1,105 $1,062 $2,116
1990 $319 $991 $772 $2,070
1989 $311 - $762 -
1988 $284 - $762 -
1987 $252.3 - $746 -
1986 $282.4 - $677 -
1985 $295 - $593 -
1984 $251.2 - $650 -
1983 $225.9 - $725 -
1982 $203.7 - $710 -
1981 $197.4 - $729 -
1980 $195.1 - $711 -
1979 $184.3 - $664 -
1978 $156.7 - $578 -
1977 $185.7 - $590 -
1976 $165.7 - $589 -
1975 $178.6 - $551 -
1974 $160.4 - $494 -
1973 $157.3 - $410 -
1972 $132.1 - $335 -
1971 $118.8 - $296 -
1970 $113.3 - $281.3 -
1969 $100.3 - $276.6 -
1968 $91.6 - $301 -
1967 $96.8 - $281.5 -
1966 $104.5 - $273.6 -
1965 $98.7 - $270 -
1964 $85.7 - $244.3 -
1963 $74.5 - $188.2 -
1962 $71.1 - $189 -
1961 $76 - $188.2 -
1960 $89.7 - - -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/economy/china/mauritania | CC BY

China's GDP per capita is $13,303, ranking 76/197, compared to $2,110 in Mauritania, ranking 156/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), China ranks 77th at $27,105, while Mauritania ranks 147th at $7,369.

Economic indicators

China Mauritania
Gross domestic product
$18.7T
2024
$10.9B
2024
GDP rank
2/197
2024
153/197
2024
GDP growth
4.98%
2023-2024
6.31%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$13,303
2024
$2,110
2024
GDP per capita rank
76/197
2024
156/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$27,105
2024
$7,369
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
77/197
2024
147/197
2024
Government debt
$16.6T
2024
$4.67B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
88.3%
2024
42.8%
2024
Government debt per person
$11,749
2024
$904
2024
Government debt per person rank
47/185
2024
145/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$9,826
2026
$2,078
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$11.8T
2024
n/a
Number of millionaires
6,327,000
2025
n/a
Number of billionaires
450
2025
n/a
Income share by richest 10%
28.4%
2022
24.6%
2019
Income share by poorest 10%
3.1%
2022
3.1%
2019
Government expenditure, % of GDP
32.9%
2024
23.6%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
0.2%
2023-2024
2.49%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
3.1%
2024
n/a
Unemployment rate
5.11%
2021
10.4%
2019
Population
1402578808
5505206

Spending and national debt comparison by year

China
Spending

Debt
Mauritania
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
China Mauritania
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 32.9% 88.3% 23.6% 42.8%
2023 32.7% 82% 24.8% 47.1%
2022 32.6% 75.5% 28.7% 50.5%
2021 31.9% 70.1% 20.8% 54.5%
2020 34.8% 69% 18.5% 56.5%
2019 33.6% 59.4% 17.8% 57.7%
2018 32.6% 55.6% 19% 59.2%
2017 32% 53.9% 20.3% 55.7%
2016 31.7% 49.7% 20.8% 57.6%
2015 31% 40.8% 25.7% 59.9%
2014 28.4% 39.3% 23.9% 49.5%
2013 28.1% 36.4% 20.1% 40.7%
2012 27.7% 33.8% 21.5% 39.3%
2011 26.6% 33.2% 17% 38.8%
2010 24.7% 33.3% 17.3% 43.9%
2009 25.2% 34% 19.6% 54.3%
2008 22.2% 26.7% 19.8% 57.2%
2007 17.9% 28.7% 19.7% 61.5%
2006 18.1% 25.2% 19% 38%
2005 18% 25.9% 21.3% 71.1%
2004 17.6% 26% 23.9% 22%
2003 18% 26.4% - 22.9%
2002 18.2% 25.6% - 59.5%
2001 17.2% 24.3% - 63.5%
2000 16.1% 22.7% - 55.5%
1999 14.9% 21.6% - -
1998 12.6% 20.4% - -
1997 11.5% 20.4% - -
1996 11% 21.2% - -
1995 11.1% 21.4% - -
1994 12.4% - - -
1993 13.4% - - -
1992 14.6% - - -
1991 16.5% - - -
1990 18.2% - - -
1989 18.6% - - -
1988 20.9% 4.46% - -
1987 23.4% 3.6% - -
1986 25.6% 3.24% - -
1985 25.8% 3.31% - -
1984 26.9% 0.97% - -
1983 28.3% - - -
1982 27.9% - - -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1982–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/china/mauritania | CC BY

In 2024, China's government spending was $6.18T, accounting for 32.9% of its GDP, while Mauritania spent $2.57B, or 23.6% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 88.3% in China and 42.8% in Mauritania, ranking 34/185 and 126/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
China

Mauritania
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
China Mauritania
2024 -7.34% -1.35%
2023 -6.71% -2.45%
2022 -7.32% -3.09%
2021 -5.9% 2.6%
2020 -9.56% 2.78%
2019 -6% 2.65%
2018 -4.2% 3.23%
2017 -3.34% 0.53%
2016 -3.33% 0.13%
2015 -2.5% -2.44%
2014 -0.67% -2.64%
2013 -0.82% -0.66%
2012 -0.3% 1.67%
2011 -0.1% 0.07%
2010 -0.36% -0.45%
2009 -1.72% -3.59%
2008 -0.02% -3.32%
2007 0.06% -1.38%
2006 -1.13% 2.05%
2005 -1.38% -3.16%
2004 -1.49% -3.06%
2003 -2.36% -
2002 -2.84% -
2001 -2.56% -
2000 -2.81% -
1999 -2.3% -
1998 -1.08% -
1997 -0.73% -
1996 -0.73% -
1995 -0.94% -
1994 -1.68% -
1993 -0.89% -
1992 -1.22% -
1991 -1.04% -
1990 -0.72% -
1989 -0.91% -
1988 -2.22% -
1987 -2.08% -
1986 -1.82% -
1985 -0.45% -
1984 -1.44% -
1983 -1.61% -
1982 -1.33% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1982–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/china/mauritania | CC BY

In 2024, China's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $1.38T, equivalent to 7.34% of GDP. This compares to Mauritania's deficit of $148M, or 1.35% of GDP.

Over the past 21 years, China recorded a fiscal deficit in 20 of those years, while Mauritania ran a deficit in 12 years. On average, China posted an annual deficit equal to 3.05% of GDP, compared to deficit of 0.57% of GDP for Mauritania.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
China

Mauritania
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
China Mauritania
2024 0.2% 2.49%
2023 0.2% 4.95%
2022 2% 9.53%
2021 0.9% 3.57%
2020 2.5% 2.39%
2019 2.9% 2.3%
2018 2.1% 3.07%
2017 1.6% 2.25%
2016 2% 1.47%
2015 1.5% 3.25%
2014 2% 3.53%
2013 2.7% 4.13%
2012 2.6% 4.9%
2011 5.4% 5.69%
2010 3.3% 6.28%
2009 -0.7% 2.22%
2008 5.9% 7.35%
2007 4.7% 7.25%
2006 1.5% 6.24%
2005 1.8% 12.1%
2004 3.9% 10.4%
2003 1.1% 5.15%
2002 -0.8% 3.9%
2001 0.7% 4.71%
2000 0.4% 3.25%
1999 -1.4% 4.07%
1998 -0.8% 8.03%
1997 2.8% 4.63%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/economy/china/mauritania | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, China has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 1.82%, compared with 4.97% in Mauritania. In 2024, inflation was 0.2% in China and 2.49% in Mauritania.

Top exports between countries

China
Export category Export value
Textiles & consumer goods $398M
Machinery & equipment $293M
Metals $137M
Chemicals & pharma $73.2M
Raw agricultural goods $69.1M
Raw materials & minerals $33.2M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $12.5M
Wood & paper products $12M
Miscellaneous $10.8M
Precious metals & jewellery $1.04M
Mauritania
Export category Export value
Raw materials & minerals $941M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $65M
Animal & marine products $43M
Wood & paper products $2.37M
Raw agricultural goods $404K
Machinery & equipment $50K
Chemicals & pharma $40K
Textiles & consumer goods $18K

Balance of trade

China Mauritania
Current account balance
$424B
2024
-$1.04B
2024
Current account balance ranking
1/190
2024
124/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+2.26%
2024
-9.53%
2024
Goods imports
$2.64T
2024
$4.32B
2024
Goods exports
$3.41T
2024
$3.83B
2024
Service imports
$613B
2024
$1.05B
2024
Service exports
$384B
2024
$230M
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
17.2%
2024
52.2%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
20%
2024
41.4%
2024

Economic freedom indices

The indices of economic freedom below are issued by the Heritage Foundation. Higher scores indicate stronger economic health.

China Mauritania
Economic freedom 48.3 53.9
Economic freedom ranking 170/197 136/197
Property rights 40.9 32.6
Government integrity 42.3 24.5
Judicial effectiveness 38.6 26.4
Tax burden 69.3 75.5
Government spending 67.8 80.2
Fiscal health 4.4 87.9
Business freedom 68.7 38.7
Labor freedom 57.9 53.6
Monetary freedom 76.1 77.8
Trade freedom 73.4 59.6
Investment freedom 20 50
Financial freedom 20 40

Economic freedom comparison by year

China
Mauritania
1x
Year Economic freedom index
China Mauritania
2026 48.3 53.9
2025 49 54.9
2024 48.5 55.3
2023 48.3 55.3
2022 48 55.3
2021 58.4 56.1
2020 59.5 55.3
2019 58.4 55.7
2018 57.8 54
2017 57.4 54.4
2016 52 54.8
2015 52.7 53.3
2014 52.5 53.2
2013 51.9 52.3
2012 51.2 53
2011 52 52.1
2010 51 52
2009 53.2 53.9
2008 53.1 55.2
2007 52 53.6
2006 53.6 55.7
2005 53.7 59.4
2004 52.5 61.8
2003 52.6 59
2002 52.8 52.5
2001 52.6 48.5
2000 56.4 46
1999 54.8 42.8
1998 53.1 43.7
1997 51.7 47
1996 51.3 45.5
1995 52 -

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09).

GeoRank.org/economy/china/mauritania | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for China is 48.3, ranking 170/197, compared to 53.9 for Mauritania, ranking 136/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

China Mauritania
Services, % of GDP
56.7%
2024
42.4%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
36.5%
2024
30.5%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
6.78%
2024
19.3%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$19.3T
2024
$11B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$26,920
2024
$7,300
2024
Total reserves including gold
$3.46T
2024
$2.04B
2021
Total reserves ranking
1/177
2024
126/177
2021
Net foreign direct investment
$154B
2024
-$1.44B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$18.6B
2024
$1.44B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$172B
2024
$3.9M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
1.89%
2024
3.82%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
0%
2020
31.8%
2019
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
40.6%
2024
43.1%
2024

GDP per capita map

1x

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06); U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/china/mauritania | CC BY

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  3. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  4. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  5. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1982–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  6. TradeMap (2022–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  7. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  8. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2025-10-14)

Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) — you’re free to copy, share, remix, adapt, and use even commercially as long as you give appropriate credit and clearly indicate if you made changes. Other sources may be subject to different license terms.

The current account balance is the sum of net trade in goods and services, net earnings from cross-border investments, and net transfer payments. It reflects a country's economic transactions with the rest of the world and is a fundamental component of the balance of payments. A surplus indicates that a country exports more than it imports, while a deficit shows the opposite.

Gross National Income (GNI) measures a country's total income. It encompasses income earned by residents, businesses, and foreign sources, defined as employee compensation and investment profits. GNI adds product taxes not included elsewhere and subtracts subsidies. It accounts for income from residents working abroad but excludes earnings from foreigners within the country.

A negative value for Net Foreign Direct Investment indicates a country is a net receiver of investments, as foreign inflows exceed outflows after Balance of Payments adjustments. A positive value indicates a net provider, with outflows exceeding inflows. Inflows are credits (increasing foreign claims on domestic assets), while outflows are debits (increasing domestic assets abroad).

Foreign direct investment (FDI, net inflows) shows how much capital foreign investors bring into a country after accounting for any funds that flow back in the opposite direction. It represents the net value of overseas companies establishing, expanding, or financing businesses in the reporting country. A positive number means more capital entered the country than was withdrawn, while a negative number means foreign investors pulled out more than they invested.

Foreign direct investment (FDI, net outflows) shows how much capital residents of a country invest abroad after accounting for any funds that flow back in the opposite direction. It represents the net value of domestic companies establishing, expanding, or financing businesses in other countries. A positive number means more capital was invested abroad than withdrawn, while a negative number means residents pulled back more than they invested.

Principal and interest payments to the IMF in currency, goods, or services on long-term debt expressed as a share of GNI.

Formerly gross domestic investment, gross capital formation measures the share of a country’s economic output invested in fixed assets, including buildings, machinery, and infrastructure. It indicates how much of the economy is devoted to building productive capacity.