Skip to content

Economy of Mauritania vs Panama compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Mauritania has a GDP of $10.9B compared to $86.5B for Panama, ranking 153/197 and 78/197 by economy size, respectively.

Mauritania has $4.67B in government debt (42.8% of GDP), compared to $49.6B (57.4% of GDP) in Panama.

Mauritania vs Panama GDP by year

Mauritania
Panama
1x
Year GDP, current $
Mauritania Panama
2024 $10,908,045,687 $86,523,959,132
2023 $10,726,838,461 $83,812,155,244
2022 $9,557,966,698 $76,479,304,471
2021 $9,222,536,364 $67,396,392,506
2020 $8,260,752,385 $57,059,846,522
2019 $7,894,764,886 $69,778,991,193
2018 $7,473,550,557 $67,316,471,181
2017 $6,800,135,898 $64,327,688,826
2016 $6,398,747,592 $59,760,858,718
2015 $6,166,863,897 $55,767,806,073
2014 $6,592,537,782 $51,427,104,882
2013 $7,223,071,097 $46,949,496,479
2012 $6,728,208,836 $41,595,439,721
2011 $6,764,627,746 $35,687,738,252
2010 $5,628,878,798 $30,231,009,533
2009 $4,714,595,548 $27,791,215,547
2008 $5,206,437,194 $25,721,327,955
2007 $4,346,212,355 $21,717,433,808
2006 $3,919,577,286 $18,659,721,513
2005 $2,936,019,526 $16,623,906,739
2004 $2,362,501,023 $15,100,203,362
2003 $2,051,147,607 $13,603,456,003
2002 $1,777,057,481 $12,800,851,271
2001 $1,746,063,558 $12,252,906,341
2000 $1,779,520,886 $11,966,497,049
1999 $1,985,922,776 $11,660,704,777
1998 $2,032,347,665 $11,019,557,689
1997 $2,071,996,564 $10,058,854,386
1996 $2,132,087,009 $9,197,503,323
1995 $2,091,726,101 $9,573,813,700
1994 $1,944,876,755 $9,365,289,800
1993 $1,847,353,211 $8,782,585,400
1992 $2,164,298,425 $8,042,337,700
1991 $2,133,692,697 $7,074,675,500
1990 $1,506,914,408 $6,433,967,000
1989 $1,450,647,019 $5,918,469,800
1988 $1,414,951,290 $5,902,783,400
1987 $1,344,664,725 $6,827,665,300
1986 $1,186,628,778 $6,797,834,200
1985 $1,009,723,326 $6,541,517,100
1984 $1,074,373,230 $6,183,387,100
1983 $1,165,171,263 $5,923,755,900
1982 $1,108,776,653 $5,769,767,900
1981 $1,105,494,682 $5,222,421,500
1980 $1,047,925,106 $4,614,086,400
1979 $951,900,945 $3,704,551,600
1978 $804,629,877 $3,244,558,600
1977 $799,030,017 $2,738,261,900
1976 $775,045,517 $2,588,106,000
1975 $703,377,837 $2,435,304,100
1974 $613,010,553 $2,188,307,600
1973 $493,237,876 $1,913,793,400
1972 $391,669,449 $1,673,411,700
1971 $335,568,907 $1,523,917,200
1970 $309,405,316 $1,351,006,400
1969 $295,062,308 $1,221,305,700
1968 $311,395,937 $1,112,791,100
1967 $282,615,310 $1,034,376,400
1966 $266,533,605 $928,833,000
1965 $255,340,475 $852,485,300
1964 $224,495,744 $776,137,500
1963 $168,186,297 $722,784,500
1962 $164,271,558 $652,120,900
1961 $159,213,430 $599,026,300
1960 - $537,147,100

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

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

GDP per capita in Mauritania vs Panama by year

Mauritania
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Panama
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Mauritania Panama
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $2,110 $7,369 $19,161 $41,369
2023 $2,136 $6,966 $18,797 $39,813
2022 $1,960 $6,485 $17,379 $36,333
2021 $1,948 $5,837 $15,510 $30,933
2020 $1,796 $5,741 $13,291 $27,017
2019 $1,767 $5,610 $16,478 $33,240
2018 $1,723 $5,429 $16,151 $32,464
2017 $1,615 $5,353 $15,695 $33,533
2016 $1,566 $4,683 $14,832 $30,277
2015 $1,555 $3,978 $14,083 $27,245
2014 $1,713 $3,865 $13,213 $24,376
2013 $1,934 $3,831 $12,273 $21,924
2012 $1,859 $3,465 $11,065 $19,473
2011 $1,931 $3,271 $9,662 $17,474
2010 $1,660 $3,178 $8,331 $15,573
2009 $1,435 $3,159 $7,797 $14,766
2008 $1,636 $3,236 $7,348 $14,705
2007 $1,405 $3,278 $6,318 $13,333
2006 $1,301 $3,342 $5,529 $11,685
2005 $999 $2,809 $5,018 $10,511
2004 $824 $2,570 $4,645 $9,592
2003 $732 $2,447 $4,265 $8,801
2002 $649 $2,296 $4,091 $8,370
2001 $652 $2,280 $3,992 $8,197
2000 $681 $2,304 $3,975 $8,097
1999 $781 $2,411 $3,950 $7,749
1998 $821 $2,355 $3,808 $7,408
1997 $859 $2,325 $3,546 $6,895
1996 $904 $2,436 $3,308 $6,421
1995 $905 $2,306 $3,514 $6,182
1994 $865 $2,114 $3,508 $6,073
1993 $850 $2,209 $3,358 $5,902
1992 $1,036 $2,122 $3,140 $5,582
1991 $1,062 $2,116 $2,821 $5,150
1990 $772 $2,070 $2,620 $4,651
1989 $762 - $2,462 -
1988 $762 - $2,509 -
1987 $746 - $2,966 -
1986 $677 - $3,019 -
1985 $593 - $2,972 -
1984 $650 - $2,875 -
1983 $725 - $2,819 -
1982 $710 - $2,811 -
1981 $729 - $2,605 -
1980 $711 - $2,357 -
1979 $664 - $1,938 -
1978 $578 - $1,738 -
1977 $590 - $1,503 -
1976 $589 - $1,457 -
1975 $551 - $1,406 -
1974 $494 - $1,296 -
1973 $410 - $1,164 -
1972 $335 - $1,046 -
1971 $296 - $979 -
1970 $281.3 - $893 -
1969 $276.6 - $830 -
1968 $301 - $778 -
1967 $281.5 - $745 -
1966 $273.6 - $689 -
1965 $270 - $651 -
1964 $244.3 - $611 -
1963 $188.2 - $587 -
1962 $189 - $546 -
1961 $188.2 - $516 -
1960 - - $477 -

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

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

Mauritania's GDP per capita is $2,110, ranking 156/197, compared to $19,161 in Panama, ranking 60/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Mauritania ranks 147th at $7,369, while Panama ranks 56th at $41,369.

Economic indicators

Mauritania Panama
Gross domestic product
$10.9B
2024
$86.5B
2024
GDP rank
153/197
2024
78/197
2024
GDP growth
6.31%
2023-2024
2.75%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$2,110
2024
$19,161
2024
GDP per capita rank
156/197
2024
60/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$7,369
2024
$41,369
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
147/197
2024
56/197
2024
Government debt
$4.67B
2024
$49.6B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
42.8%
2024
57.4%
2024
Government debt per person
$904
2024
$10,995
2024
Government debt per person rank
145/185
2024
51/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$2,078
2026
$10,196
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$18.3B
2024
Income share by richest 10%
24.6%
2019
37.6%
2024
Income share by poorest 10%
3.1%
2019
1.2%
2024
Government expenditure, % of GDP
23.6%
2024
23.1%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
2.49%
2023-2024
0.69%
2023-2024
Unemployment rate
10.4%
2019
8.61%
2024
Population
5505206
4642198

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Mauritania
Spending

Debt
Panama
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Mauritania Panama
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 23.6% 42.8% 23.1% 57.4%
2023 24.8% 47.1% 21.4% 51.2%
2022 28.7% 50.5% 21.3% 52.7%
2021 20.8% 54.5% 23.8% 54.4%
2020 18.5% 56.5% 27.5% 61.5%
2019 17.8% 57.7% 20.6% 39.8%
2018 19% 59.2% 21.8% 35.6%
2017 20.3% 55.7% 21.2% 33.6%
2016 20.8% 57.6% 21.3% 33.6%
2015 25.7% 59.9% 21.4% 34.2%
2014 23.9% 49.5% 23% 34.7%
2013 20.1% 40.7% 23.4% 33.7%
2012 21.5% 39.3% 22.8% 34%
2011 17% 38.8% 23.5% 35.6%
2010 17.3% 43.9% 24.2% 38.1%
2009 19.6% 54.3% 22.7% 39.1%
2008 19.8% 57.2% 22.7% 40%
2007 19.7% 61.5% 21.8% 47.4%
2006 19% 38% 21.9% 54.7%
2005 21.3% 71.1% 22.4% 59.3%
2004 23.9% 22% 23.3% 58.8%
2003 - 22.9% 24.2% 56.5%
2002 - 59.5% 23.5% 57%
2001 - 63.5% 23.4% 57.8%
2000 - 55.5% 22.8% 53.6%
1999 - - 23% 55.1%
1998 - - 23.4% 58.1%
1997 - - 22.2% 60.2%
1996 - - 21.5% 65%
1995 - - 25.9% 76.6%
1994 - - 25.2% 78.3%
1993 - - 33.8% 83.6%
1992 - - 27.8% 91.2%
1991 - - 20.9% 103.7%
1990 - - 41.5% 112.7%
1989 - - 43% 104.4%
1988 - - 41.8% 105%
1987 - - 40.1% 92.2%
1986 - - 38.6% 84%
1985 - - 39.7% 82.5%
1984 - - 44% 82.5%
1983 - - 44.6% 86.6%
1982 - - 48% 80.9%
1981 - - 30.7% 68.7%
1980 - - 30.5% 69.4%
1979 - - 35% 78.9%
1978 - - 27.6% 83.1%
1977 - - 16.9% 77.7%
1976 - - 15.9% 69.7%
1975 - - 15.3% 52.6%
1974 - - 15.3% 37.6%
1973 - - 14.4% 32.6%
1972 - - 15.6% 29.5%
1971 - - 15% 26.2%
1970 - - 22.4% 25.7%
1969 - - 20.5% 23.2%
1968 - - 14.2% 18%
1967 - - 14.9% 17.8%
1966 - - 14% 17.9%
1965 - - 13.2% 18.7%
1964 - - 14.1% 20%
1963 - - 19.1% 22.6%
1962 - - 16.4% 19.8%
1961 - - 18.9% 20.5%
1960 - - 16.6% 21%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1994–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1993, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Mauritania's government spending was $2.57B, accounting for 23.6% of its GDP, while Panama spent $20B, or 23.1% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 42.8% in Mauritania and 57.4% in Panama, ranking 126/185 and 88/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Mauritania

Panama
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Mauritania Panama
2024 -1.35% -7.42%
2023 -2.45% -3.9%
2022 -3.09% -3.98%
2021 2.6% -6.48%
2020 2.78% -10.2%
2019 2.65% -2.89%
2018 3.23% -2.88%
2017 0.53% -1.92%
2016 0.13% -1.89%
2015 -2.44% -2.3%
2014 -2.64% -3.21%
2013 -0.66% -2.38%
2012 1.67% -1.31%
2011 0.07% -1.96%
2010 -0.45% -1.68%
2009 -3.59% -0.9%
2008 -3.32% 0.37%
2007 -1.38% 3.12%
2006 2.05% 0.51%
2005 -3.16% -2.21%
2004 -3.06% -4.33%
2003 - -2.27%
2002 - -0.96%
2001 - -0.42%
2000 - 2.05%
1999 - -0.65%
1998 - -1.11%
1997 - 1.24%
1996 - 2.48%
1995 - 2.3%
1994 - 2.12%
1993 - -9.4%
1992 - -2.62%
1991 - -0.6%
1990 - -3.65%
1989 - -13.6%
1988 - -13.5%
1987 - -1.7%
1986 - -1%
1985 - -2.57%
1984 - -7.56%
1983 - -7.62%
1982 - -13.3%
1981 - -6.77%
1980 - -5.17%
1979 - -12.1%
1978 - -5.21%
1977 - -1.61%
1976 - -2.65%
1975 - -0.74%
1974 - -0.6%
1973 - -0.01%
1972 - -1.17%
1971 - -0.51%
1970 - -8.02%
1969 - -7.56%
1968 - -1.5%
1967 - -1.97%
1966 - -1.18%
1965 - -1.17%
1964 - -2.51%
1963 - -6.71%
1962 - -3.01%
1961 - -5.45%
1960 - -3.05%
1959 - -3.79%
1958 - -1.62%
1957 - -0.89%
1956 - -3.69%
1955 - -1.33%
1954 - -0.2%
1953 - -0.55%
1952 - -3.84%
1951 - -2.54%
1950 - -3.89%
1949 - -1%
1948 - -1.21%
1947 - -1.94%
1946 - -3.19%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1994–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1946–1993, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Mauritania's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $148M, equivalent to 1.35% of GDP. This compares to Panama's deficit of $6.42B, or 7.42% of GDP.

Over the past 21 years, Mauritania recorded a fiscal deficit in 12 of those years, while Panama ran a deficit in 18 years. On average, Mauritania posted an annual deficit equal to 0.57% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.75% of GDP for Panama.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Mauritania

Panama
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Mauritania Panama
2024 2.49% 0.69%
2023 4.95% 1.49%
2022 9.53% 2.86%
2021 3.57% 1.63%
2020 2.39% -1.55%
2019 2.3% -0.36%
2018 3.07% 0.76%
2017 2.25% 0.88%
2016 1.47% 0.74%
2015 3.25% 0.14%
2014 3.53% 2.63%
2013 4.13% 4.03%
2012 4.9% 5.7%
2011 5.69% 5.88%
2010 6.28% 3.49%
2009 2.22% 2.41%
2008 7.35% 8.76%
2007 7.25% 4.17%
2006 6.24% 2.46%
2005 12.1% 2.86%
2004 10.4% 0.47%
2003 5.15% 0.39%
2002 3.9% 1.01%
2001 4.71% 0.31%
2000 3.25% 1.5%
1999 4.07% 1.25%
1998 8.03% 0.56%
1997 4.63% 1.32%

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

Over the past 28 years, Mauritania has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 4.97%, compared with 2.02% in Panama. In 2024, inflation was 2.49% in Mauritania and 0.69% in Panama.

Top exports between countries

Mauritania
Export category Export value
Raw materials & minerals $4.17M
Animal & marine products $7K
Panama
Export category Export value

Balance of trade

Mauritania Panama
Current account balance
-$1.04B
2024
$1.67B
2024
Current account balance ranking
124/190
2024
51/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-9.53%
2024
+1.93%
2024
Goods imports
$4.32B
2024
$25.1B
2024
Goods exports
$3.83B
2024
$19.1B
2024
Service imports
$1.05B
2024
$5.75B
2024
Service exports
$230M
2024
$18.3B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
52.2%
2024
39.3%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
41.4%
2024
44.4%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Mauritania Panama
Economic freedom 53.9 64.9
Economic freedom ranking 136/197 70/197
Property rights 32.6 56.7
Government integrity 24.5 37.4
Judicial effectiveness 26.4 49.6
Tax burden 75.5 86.1
Government spending 80.2 85.5
Fiscal health 87.9 51.8
Business freedom 38.7 72.6
Labor freedom 53.6 60.9
Monetary freedom 77.8 78.2
Trade freedom 59.6 80.2
Investment freedom 50 60
Financial freedom 40 60

Economic freedom comparison by year

Mauritania
Panama
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Mauritania Panama
2026 53.9 64.9
2025 54.9 65.5
2024 55.3 64.1
2023 55.3 63.8
2022 55.3 65.4
2021 56.1 66.2
2020 55.3 67.2
2019 55.7 67.2
2018 54 67
2017 54.4 66.3
2016 54.8 64.8
2015 53.3 64.1
2014 53.2 63.4
2013 52.3 62.5
2012 53 65.2
2011 52.1 64.9
2010 52 64.8
2009 53.9 64.7
2008 55.2 64.7
2007 53.6 64.6
2006 55.7 65.6
2005 59.4 64.3
2004 61.8 65.3
2003 59 68.4
2002 52.5 68.5
2001 48.5 70.6
2000 46 71.6
1999 42.8 72.6
1998 43.7 72.6
1997 47 72.4
1996 45.5 71.8
1995 - 71.6

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Mauritania is 53.9, ranking 136/197, compared to 64.9 for Panama, ranking 70/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Mauritania Panama
Services, % of GDP
42.4%
2024
69.3%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
30.5%
2024
25.5%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
19.3%
2024
2.68%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$11B
2024
$81.3B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$7,300
2024
$39,260
2024
Total reserves including gold
$2.04B
2021
$6.86B
2024
Total reserves ranking
126/177
2021
88/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$1.44B
2024
-$2.38B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$1.44B
2024
$3.24B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$3.9M
2024
$865M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
3.82%
2024
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
31.8%
2019
21.7%
2023
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
43.1%
2024
33.5%
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/mauritania/panama | CC BY

Compare countries by 7 more topics

Help us show the world through your eyes

Share a photo of your city and help others discover what it looks like to live there. Your contribution makes our data come alive.

Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1994–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  3. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1946–1993, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  4. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  5. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  6. TradeMap (2021–2023, 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.