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Economy of Mauritania vs Mauritius compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Mauritania has a GDP of $11.7B compared to $16.2B for Mauritius, ranking 153/197 and 144/197 by economy size, respectively.

Mauritania has $4.68B in government debt (40.1% of GDP), compared to $14B (86.5% of GDP) in Mauritius.

Mauritania vs Mauritius GDP by year

Mauritania
Mauritius
1x
Year GDP, current $
Mauritania Mauritius
2025 $11,679,910,946 $16,157,804,492
2024 $10,879,212,033 $14,938,055,690
2023 $10,687,541,640 $14,072,212,290
2022 $9,562,497,461 $12,936,444,123
2021 $9,221,044,667 $11,622,048,697
2020 $8,260,567,357 $11,566,111,138
2019 $7,894,764,886 $14,645,235,205
2018 $7,475,471,310 $14,957,535,716
2017 $6,812,472,965 $13,896,938,315
2016 $6,407,900,701 $12,757,680,847
2015 $6,182,303,677 $12,162,211,503
2014 $6,615,483,550 $13,230,490,082
2013 $7,230,646,063 $12,434,596,541
2012 $6,728,208,836 $11,832,323,837
2011 $6,764,627,746 $11,677,718,382
2010 $5,628,878,798 $10,144,716,155
2009 $4,714,595,548 $9,264,482,256
2008 $5,206,437,194 $10,127,741,915
2007 $4,346,212,355 $8,277,474,850
2006 $3,919,577,286 $7,137,710,413
2005 $2,936,019,526 $6,576,108,447
2004 $2,362,501,023 $6,667,418,752
2003 $2,051,147,607 $5,894,873,920
2002 $1,777,057,481 $4,906,494,249
2001 $1,746,063,558 $4,675,755,867
2000 $1,779,520,886 $4,726,108,622
1999 $1,985,922,776 $4,402,193,195
1998 $2,032,347,665 $4,225,813,976
1997 $2,071,996,564 $4,243,755,308
1996 $2,132,087,009 $4,481,489,762
1995 $2,091,726,101 $4,094,741,652
1994 $1,944,876,755 $3,606,050,873
1993 $1,847,353,211 $3,307,302,126
1992 $2,164,298,425 $3,267,677,814
1991 $2,133,692,697 $2,895,354,736
1990 $1,506,914,408 $2,689,212,760
1989 $1,450,647,019 $2,211,312,823
1988 $1,414,951,290 $2,163,252,449
1987 $1,344,664,725 $1,906,174,438
1986 $1,186,628,778 $1,482,601,552
1985 $1,009,723,326 $1,090,611,325
1984 $1,074,373,230 $1,054,564,759
1983 $1,165,171,263 $1,104,956,573
1982 $1,108,776,653 $1,092,923,636
1981 $1,105,494,682 $1,157,769,444
1980 $1,047,925,106 $1,147,027,924
1979 $951,900,945 $1,227,446,632
1978 $804,629,877 $1,029,040,323
1977 $799,030,017 $834,722,972
1976 $775,045,517 $713,510,052
1975 $703,377,837 $673,311,287
1974 $613,010,553 $669,894,030
1973 $493,237,876 $404,285,775
1972 $391,669,449 $318,664,900
1971 $335,568,907 $251,437,338
1970 $309,405,316 $224,125,805
1969 $295,062,308 $221,553,613
1968 $311,395,937 $206,576,631
1967 $282,615,310 $238,439,291
1966 $266,533,605 $227,534,083
1965 $255,340,475 $230,024,161
1964 $224,495,744 $218,914,569
1963 $168,186,297 $253,839,558
1962 $164,271,558 $197,738,208
1961 $159,213,430 $191,757,729
1960 - $162,089,564

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

GDP per capita in Mauritania vs Mauritius by year

Mauritania
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Mauritius
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Mauritania Mauritius
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $2,198 - $12,991 -
2024 $2,105 $7,369 $11,991 $31,840
2023 $2,128 $6,966 $11,270 $29,561
2022 $1,961 $6,485 $10,247 $26,874
2021 $1,947 $5,837 $9,178 $23,010
2020 $1,796 $5,741 $9,136 $21,622
2019 $1,767 $5,610 $11,568 $24,375
2018 $1,723 $5,429 $11,819 $23,416
2017 $1,618 $5,353 $10,987 $22,898
2016 $1,568 $4,683 $10,095 $21,952
2015 $1,559 $3,978 $9,631 $20,270
2014 $1,719 $3,865 $10,490 $19,294
2013 $1,936 $3,831 $9,877 $18,435
2012 $1,859 $3,465 $9,422 $17,259
2011 $1,931 $3,271 $9,324 $16,884
2010 $1,660 $3,178 $8,113 $15,920
2009 $1,435 $3,159 $7,427 $15,105
2008 $1,636 $3,236 $8,140 $14,569
2007 $1,405 $3,278 $6,677 $13,612
2006 $1,301 $3,342 $5,784 $12,593
2005 $999 $2,809 $5,354 $11,703
2004 $824 $2,570 $5,461 $11,216
2003 $732 $2,447 $4,858 $10,535
2002 $649 $2,296 $4,073 $9,824
2001 $652 $2,280 $3,909 $9,586
2000 $681 $2,304 $3,982 $9,143
1999 $781 $2,411 $3,746 $8,344
1998 $821 $2,355 $3,642 $8,121
1997 $859 $2,325 $3,696 $7,651
1996 $904 $2,436 $3,952 $7,206
1995 $905 $2,306 $3,648 $6,771
1994 $865 $2,114 $3,240 $6,414
1993 $850 $2,209 $3,014 $6,116
1992 $1,036 $2,122 $3,013 $5,753
1991 $1,062 $2,116 $2,705 $5,351
1990 $772 $2,070 $2,540 $5,010
1989 $762 - $2,103 -
1988 $762 - $2,074 -
1987 $746 - $1,840 -
1986 $677 - $1,442 -
1985 $593 - $1,069 -
1984 $650 - $1,042 -
1983 $725 - $1,103 -
1982 $710 - $1,101 -
1981 $729 - $1,181 -
1980 $711 - $1,187 -
1979 $664 - $1,292 -
1978 $578 - $1,102 -
1977 $590 - $906 -
1976 $589 - $787 -
1975 $551 - $755 -
1974 $494 - $763 -
1973 $410 - $467 -
1972 $335 - $374 -
1971 $296 - $299.6 -
1970 $281.3 - $271.3 -
1969 $276.6 - $272.7 -
1968 $301 - $258.7 -
1967 $281.5 - $304 -
1966 $273.6 - $296 -
1965 $270 - $305 -
1964 $244.3 - $297.3 -
1963 $188.2 - $353 -
1962 $189 - $282.3 -
1961 $188.2 - $281.7 -
1960 - - $238.3 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Mauritania's GDP per capita is $2,198, ranking 156/197, compared to $12,991 in Mauritius, ranking 80/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Mauritania ranks 147th at $7,369, while Mauritius ranks 71st at $31,840.

Economic indicators

Mauritania Mauritius
Gross domestic product
$11.7B
2025
$16.2B
2025
GDP rank
153/197
2025
144/197
2025
GDP growth
4.03%
2024-2025
3.15%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$2,198
2025
$12,991
2025
GDP per capita rank
156/197
2025
80/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$7,369
2024
$31,840
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
147/197
2024
71/197
2024
Government debt
$4.68B
2025
$14B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
40.1%
2025
86.5%
2025
Government debt per person
$881
2025
$11,233
2025
Government debt per person rank
147/185
2025
55/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$2,242
2026
$8,169
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$8.89B
2025
Income share by richest 10%
24.6%
2019
29.9%
2017
Income share by poorest 10%
3.1%
2019
2.9%
2017
Government expenditure, % of GDP
23.4%
2025
31.4%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
1.55%
2024-2025
3.67%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate n/a
4.5%
2025
Unemployment rate
10.4%
2019
5.21%
2024
Population
5539189
1240721

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Mauritania
Spending

Debt
Mauritius
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Mauritania Mauritius
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 23.4% 40.1% 31.4% 86.5%
2024 23.6% 45.1% 32.6% 86.1%
2023 24.8% 48.6% 28.5% 81.5%
2022 28.7% 50.3% 27.6% 81.8%
2021 20.8% 54.5% 28.3% 86.1%
2020 18.5% 56.5% 32.1% 91.9%
2019 17.8% 57.7% 30.2% 81.1%
2018 19% 59.2% 23.9% 63.1%
2017 20.3% 55.7% 23.6% 61.3%
2016 20.8% 57.6% 23.3% 62.6%
2015 25.7% 59.9% 23.7% 63%
2014 23.9% 49.5% 22.5% 59.1%
2013 20.1% 40.7% 23.4% 56.5%
2012 21.5% 39.3% 21.9% 54.2%
2011 17% 38.8% 23% 54.9%
2010 17.3% 43.9% 23.2% 54.4%
2009 19.6% 54.3% 24.5% 56.8%
2008 19.8% 57.2% 22.4% 48.8%
2007 19.7% 61.5% 20.4% 48.8%
2006 19% 38% 20.7% 55.3%
2005 21.3% 71.1% 21.8% 58.3%
2004 23.9% 22% 21.9% 59.4%
2003 - 22.9% 22.2% 66.9%
2002 - 59.5% 22% 63%
2001 - 63.5% 21.5% 58.2%
2000 - 55.5% 21.2% 56.9%
1999 - - 25.9% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1999–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, Mauritania's government spending was $2.73B, accounting for 23.4% of its GDP, while Mauritius spent $5.07B, or 31.4% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 40.1% in Mauritania and 86.5% in Mauritius, ranking 134/185 and 34/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Mauritania

Mauritius
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Mauritania Mauritius
2025 -0.3% -3.69%
2024 -1.35% -6.84%
2023 -2.45% -4.48%
2022 -3.09% -3.15%
2021 2.6% -4.08%
2020 2.78% -10.5%
2019 2.65% -8.19%
2018 3.23% -2.15%
2017 0.53% -1.62%
2016 0.13% -2.74%
2015 -2.44% -3.48%
2014 -2.64% -3.05%
2013 -0.66% -3.3%
2012 1.67% -1.73%
2011 0.07% -3%
2010 -0.45% -2.96%
2009 -3.59% -3.32%
2008 -3.32% -2.63%
2007 -1.38% -2.92%
2006 2.05% -3.86%
2005 -3.16% -4.2%
2004 -3.06% -4.22%
2003 - -4.55%
2002 - -4.89%
2001 - -5.32%
2000 - -4.19%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (2000–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, Mauritania's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $34.8M, equivalent to 0.3% of GDP. This compares to Mauritius' deficit of $596M, or 3.69% of GDP.

Over the past 22 years, Mauritania recorded a fiscal deficit in 13 of those years, while Mauritius ran a deficit in 22 years. On average, Mauritania posted an annual deficit equal to 0.55% of GDP, compared to deficit of 3.91% of GDP for Mauritius.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Mauritania

Mauritius
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Mauritania Mauritius
2025 1.55% 3.67%
2024 2.49% 3.6%
2023 4.95% 7.05%
2022 9.53% 10.8%
2021 3.57% 4.03%
2020 2.39% 2.58%
2019 2.3% 0.41%
2018 3.07% 3.22%
2017 2.25% 3.67%
2016 1.47% 0.98%
2015 3.25% 1.29%
2014 3.53% 3.22%
2013 4.13% 3.54%
2012 4.9% 3.85%
2011 5.69% 6.52%
2010 6.28% 2.93%
2009 2.22% 2.52%
2008 7.35% 9.73%
2007 7.25% 8.83%
2006 6.24% 8.91%
2005 12.1% 4.94%
2004 10.4% 4.71%
2003 5.15% 3.92%
2002 3.9% 6.42%
2001 4.71% 5.39%
2000 3.25% 4.2%
1999 4.07% 6.91%
1998 8.03% 6.81%
1997 4.63% 6.83%

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Over the past 29 years, Mauritania has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 4.85%, compared with 4.88% in Mauritius. In 2025, inflation was 1.55% in Mauritania and 3.67% in Mauritius.

Top exports between countries

Mauritania
Export category Export value
Metals $46K
Animal & marine products $37K
Machinery & equipment $15K
Mauritius
Export category Export value
Chemicals & pharma $888K
Machinery & equipment $3K
Metals $1K
Textiles & consumer goods $1K
Wood & paper products $1K

Balance of trade

Mauritania Mauritius
Current account balance
-$1.04B
2024
-$1.05B
2024
Current account balance ranking
118/190
2024
119/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-9.55%
2024
-7.03%
2024
Goods imports
$4.32B
2024
$6.35B
2024
Goods exports
$3.83B
2024
$2.37B
2024
Service imports
$1.05B
2024
$2.28B
2024
Service exports
$230M
2024
$4.19B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
54.2%
2025
74.9%
2025
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
39.9%
2025
65%
2025

Economic freedom indices

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

Mauritania Mauritius
Economic freedom 53.9 73
Economic freedom ranking 136/197 26/197
Property rights 32.6 83.9
Government integrity 24.5 53.4
Judicial effectiveness 26.4 80.7
Tax burden 75.5 89.6
Government spending 80.2 73.8
Fiscal health 87.9 45.5
Business freedom 38.7 81.5
Labor freedom 53.6 69.6
Monetary freedom 77.8 70.7
Trade freedom 59.6 87
Investment freedom 50 70
Financial freedom 40 70

Economic freedom comparison by year

Mauritania
Mauritius
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Mauritania Mauritius
2026 53.9 73
2025 54.9 75
2024 55.3 71.5
2023 55.3 70.6
2022 55.3 70.9
2021 56.1 77
2020 55.3 74.9
2019 55.7 73
2018 54 75.1
2017 54.4 74.7
2016 54.8 74.7
2015 53.3 76.4
2014 53.2 76.5
2013 52.3 76.9
2012 53 77
2011 52.1 76.2
2010 52 76.3
2009 53.9 74.3
2008 55.2 72.6
2007 53.6 69.4
2006 55.7 67.4
2005 59.4 67.2
2004 61.8 64.3
2003 59 64.4
2002 52.5 67.7
2001 48.5 66.4
2000 46 67.2
1999 42.8 68.5
1998 43.7 -
1997 47 -
1996 45.5 -

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1996–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Mauritania is 53.9, ranking 136/197, compared to 73 for Mauritius, ranking 26/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Mauritania Mauritius
Services, % of GDP
42.4%
2025
63.9%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
29.7%
2025
17.7%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
20%
2025
4.62%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$11.8B
2025
$17.5B
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$7,640
2025
$37,000
2025
Total reserves including gold
$2.04B
2021
$10.3B
2025
Total reserves ranking
127/177
2021
77/177
2025
Net foreign direct investment
-$1.44B
2024
$963M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$1.44B
2024
$681M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$3.9M
2024
$38.3M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
3.83%
2024
10.1%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
31.8%
2019
8.4%
2023
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
44.3%
2025
19.9%
2025

GDP per capita map

1x

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1999–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  3. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1996–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  4. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  5. TradeMap (2020–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  6. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  7. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)

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.