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Economy of Mauritania vs Qatar compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Mauritania has a GDP of $11.7B compared to $216B for Qatar, ranking 153/197 and 56/197 by economy size, respectively.

Mauritania has $4.68B in government debt (40.1% of GDP), compared to $89.2B (41.4% of GDP) in Qatar.

Mauritania vs Qatar GDP by year

Mauritania
Qatar
1x
Year GDP, current $
Mauritania Qatar
2025 $11,679,910,946 $215,559,615,385
2024 $10,879,212,033 $216,294,505,495
2023 $10,687,541,640 $213,002,809,341
2022 $9,562,497,461 $235,709,325,714
2021 $9,221,044,667 $179,732,009,560
2020 $8,260,567,357 $144,411,363,352
2019 $7,894,764,886 $176,371,267,692
2018 $7,475,471,310 $183,334,953,819
2017 $6,812,472,965 $161,099,122,225
2016 $6,407,900,701 $151,732,181,868
2015 $6,182,303,677 $161,739,955,577
2014 $6,615,483,550 $206,224,598,571
2013 $7,230,646,063 $198,727,642,967
2012 $6,728,208,836 $186,833,502,363
2011 $6,764,627,746 $167,775,274,725
2010 $5,628,878,798 $125,122,252,747
2009 $4,714,595,548 $97,798,351,648
2008 $5,206,437,194 $115,269,780,220
2007 $4,346,212,355 $79,711,813,187
2006 $3,919,577,286 $60,882,142,857
2005 $2,936,019,526 $44,530,494,505
2004 $2,362,501,023 $31,734,065,934
2003 $2,051,147,607 $23,533,791,209
2002 $1,777,057,481 $19,363,736,264
2001 $1,746,063,558 $17,538,461,538
2000 $1,779,520,886 $17,759,890,110
1999 $1,985,922,776 $12,393,131,868
1998 $2,032,347,665 $10,255,494,505
1997 $2,071,996,564 $11,297,802,198
1996 $2,132,087,009 $9,059,340,659
1995 $2,091,726,101 $8,137,912,088
1994 $1,944,876,755 $7,374,450,549
1993 $1,847,353,211 $7,156,593,407
1992 $2,164,298,425 $7,646,153,846
1991 $2,133,692,697 $6,883,516,484
1990 $1,506,914,408 $7,360,439,560
1989 $1,450,647,019 $6,487,912,088
1988 $1,414,951,290 $6,038,186,813
1987 $1,344,664,725 $5,446,428,571
1986 $1,186,628,778 $5,053,021,978
1985 $1,009,723,326 $6,153,296,703
1984 $1,074,373,230 $6,870,329,670
1983 $1,165,171,263 $6,484,890,110
1982 $1,108,776,653 $7,611,263,736
1981 $1,105,494,682 $8,672,527,473
1980 $1,047,925,106 $7,837,915,956
1979 $951,900,945 $5,632,962,997
1978 $804,629,877 $4,052,000,413
1977 $799,030,017 $3,617,564,638
1976 $775,045,517 $3,284,273,987
1975 $703,377,837 $2,512,773,166
1974 $613,010,553 $2,401,403,227
1973 $493,237,876 $793,885,560
1972 $391,669,449 $510,262,500
1971 $335,568,907 $387,703,106
1970 $309,405,316 $301,791,302
1969 $295,062,308 -
1968 $311,395,937 -
1967 $282,615,310 -
1966 $266,533,605 -
1965 $255,340,475 -
1964 $224,495,744 -
1963 $168,186,297 -
1962 $164,271,558 -
1961 $159,213,430 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1961–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

GDP per capita in Mauritania vs Qatar by year

Mauritania
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Qatar
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Mauritania Qatar
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $2,198 - $72,525 -
2024 $2,105 $7,369 $75,685 $126,046
2023 $2,128 $6,966 $80,196 $129,368
2022 $1,961 $6,485 $88,701 $122,921
2021 $1,947 $5,837 $71,752 $116,833
2020 $1,796 $5,741 $51,684 $82,149
2019 $1,767 $5,610 $66,841 $107,503
2018 $1,723 $5,429 $71,040 $110,033
2017 $1,618 $5,353 $63,280 $99,358
2016 $1,568 $4,683 $61,254 $89,935
2015 $1,559 $3,978 $68,985 $102,546
2014 $1,719 $3,865 $95,841 $148,389
2013 $1,936 $3,831 $103,697 $169,203
2012 $1,859 $3,465 $108,470 $180,939
2011 $1,931 $3,271 $103,262 $174,620
2010 $1,660 $3,178 $77,387 $151,646
2009 $1,435 $3,159 $60,786 $125,898
2008 $1,636 $3,236 $80,781 $126,015
2007 $1,405 $3,278 $65,954 $124,056
2006 $1,301 $3,342 $62,582 $127,181
2005 $999 $2,809 $53,950 $115,250
2004 $824 $2,570 $41,036 $110,958
2003 $732 $2,447 $31,602 $94,120
2002 $649 $2,296 $27,227 $93,177
2001 $652 $2,280 $25,871 $89,805
2000 $681 $2,304 $27,535 $88,849
1999 $781 $2,411 $20,234 $84,690
1998 $821 $2,355 $17,665 $84,486
1997 $859 $2,325 $20,523 $79,219
1996 $904 $2,436 $17,125 $62,331
1995 $905 $2,306 $15,823 $60,321
1994 $865 $2,114 $14,765 $59,415
1993 $850 $2,209 $14,770 $59,125
1992 $1,036 $2,122 $16,280 $60,387
1991 $1,062 $2,116 $15,133 $54,759
1990 $772 $2,070 $16,722 $55,659
1989 $762 - $15,243 -
1988 $762 - $14,682 -
1987 $746 - $13,719 -
1986 $677 - $13,213 -
1985 $593 - $16,815 -
1984 $650 - $19,749 -
1983 $725 - $19,669 -
1982 $710 - $24,431 -
1981 $729 - $29,543 -
1980 $711 - $28,407 -
1979 $664 - $21,777 -
1978 $578 - $16,757 -
1977 $590 - $16,058 -
1976 $589 - $15,710 -
1975 $551 - $13,014 -
1974 $494 - $13,540 -
1973 $410 - $4,905 -
1972 $335 - $3,483 -
1971 $296 - $2,952 -
1970 $281.3 - $2,594 -
1969 $276.6 - - -
1968 $301 - - -
1967 $281.5 - - -
1966 $273.6 - - -
1965 $270 - - -
1964 $244.3 - - -
1963 $188.2 - - -
1962 $189 - - -
1961 $188.2 - - -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1961–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Mauritania's GDP per capita is $2,198, ranking 156/197, compared to $72,525 in Qatar, ranking 13/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Mauritania ranks 147th at $7,369, while Qatar ranks 5th at $126,046.

Economic indicators

Mauritania Qatar
Gross domestic product
$11.7B
2025
$216B
2025
GDP rank
153/197
2025
56/197
2025
GDP growth
4.03%
2024-2025
2.9%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$2,198
2025
$72,525
2025
GDP per capita rank
156/197
2025
13/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$7,369
2024
$126,046
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
147/197
2024
5/197
2024
Government debt
$4.68B
2025
$89.2B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
40.1%
2025
41.4%
2025
Government debt per person
$881
2025
$30,009
2025
Government debt per person rank
147/185
2025
24/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$2,242
2026
$37,042
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$177B
2025
Number of millionaires n/a
30,000
2026
Number of billionaires n/a
2
2026
Income share by richest 10%
24.6%
2019
25.8%
2017
Income share by poorest 10%
3.1%
2019
2.6%
2017
Government expenditure, % of GDP
23.4%
2025
27.1%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
1.55%
2024-2025
0.6%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate n/a
4.1%
2025
Unemployment rate
10.4%
2019
0.1%
2024
Population
5539189
3058826

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Mauritania
Spending

Debt
Qatar
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Mauritania Qatar
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 23.4% 40.1% 27.1% 41.4%
2024 23.6% 45.1% 26% 41.3%
2023 24.8% 48.6% 26.7% 42.8%
2022 28.7% 50.3% 24.3% 42.6%
2021 20.8% 54.5% 29.4% 58.4%
2020 18.5% 56.5% 34.7% 72.6%
2019 17.8% 57.7% 32.5% 62.1%
2018 19% 59.2% 28.9% 52.2%
2017 20.3% 55.7% 34.7% 51.6%
2016 20.8% 57.6% 40.1% 46.7%
2015 25.7% 59.9% 38.6% 35.5%
2014 23.9% 49.5% 32.3% 24.9%
2013 20.1% 40.7% 28.3% 30.9%
2012 21.5% 39.3% 31% 32.1%
2011 17% 38.8% 28.5% 33.5%
2010 17.3% 43.9% 32% 30.4%
2009 19.6% 54.3% 36.4% 36%
2008 19.8% 57.2% 23.5% 11.4%
2007 19.7% 61.5% 29.5% 9.37%
2006 19% 38% 29.5% 13.9%
2005 21.3% 71.1% 29% 19.1%
2004 23.9% 22% 29.9% 30.1%
2003 - 22.9% 28.5% 38.8%
2002 - 59.5% 31.6% 47.7%
2001 - 63.5% 32.1% 59.2%
2000 - 55.5% 29.8% 51.6%
1999 - - 42.4% 81.8%
1998 - - 55.1% 76.6%
1997 - - 47.6% 54.4%
1996 - - 55.2% 57.8%
1995 - - 52.2% 50.2%
1994 - - 59.8% 54.8%
1993 - - 62.8% 46.3%
1992 - - 54.2% 19.9%
1991 - - 57.5% 21.8%
1990 - - 50% 12.6%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, Mauritania's government spending was $2.73B, accounting for 23.4% of its GDP, while Qatar spent $58.4B, or 27.1% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 40.1% in Mauritania and 41.4% in Qatar, ranking 134/185 and 127/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Mauritania

Qatar
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Mauritania Qatar
2025 -0.3% -1%
2024 -1.35% 0.71%
2023 -2.45% 5.51%
2022 -3.09% 10.4%
2021 2.6% 0.24%
2020 2.78% -2.13%
2019 2.65% 1%
2018 3.23% 2.26%
2017 0.53% -6.82%
2016 0.13% -9.2%
2015 -2.44% 18.4%
2014 -2.64% 13.4%
2013 -0.66% 19.3%
2012 1.67% 8.55%
2011 0.07% 5.24%
2010 -0.45% 4.6%
2009 -3.59% 14.1%
2008 -3.32% 9.49%
2007 -1.38% 10.3%
2006 2.05% 8.39%
2005 -3.16% 9.8%
2004 -3.06% 17.7%
2003 - 6.71%
2002 - 7.89%
2001 - 4.48%
2000 - 4.62%
1999 - -4.35%
1998 - -7%
1997 - -9.4%
1996 - -8.73%
1995 - -5.78%
1994 - -11.8%
1993 - -9.53%
1992 - -2.74%
1991 - -2.57%
1990 - 3.23%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/mauritania/qatar | 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 Qatar's deficit of $2.16B, or 1% of GDP.

Over the past 22 years, Mauritania recorded a fiscal deficit in 13 of those years, while Qatar ran a deficit in 4 years. On average, Mauritania posted an annual deficit equal to 0.55% of GDP, compared to surplus of 6.38% of GDP for Qatar.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Mauritania

Qatar
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Mauritania Qatar
2025 1.55% 0.6%
2024 2.49% 1.2%
2023 4.95% 3.1%
2022 9.53% 5%
2021 3.57% 2.3%
2020 2.39% -2.5%
2019 2.3% -0.9%
2018 3.07% 0.1%
2017 2.25% 0.6%
2016 1.47% 2.7%
2015 3.25% 0.9%
2014 3.53% 4.2%
2013 4.13% 3.1%
2012 4.9% 1.8%
2011 5.69% 2%
2010 6.28% -2.4%
2009 2.22% -4.9%
2008 7.35% 15.1%
2007 7.25% 13.7%
2006 6.24% 11.7%
2005 12.1% 9%
2004 10.4% 6.8%
2003 5.15% 2.3%
2002 3.9% 0.2%
2001 4.71% 1.7%
2000 3.25% 1.6%
1999 4.07% 2.2%
1998 8.03% 2.9%
1997 4.63% 2.7%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Over the past 29 years, Mauritania has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 4.85%, compared with 2.99% in Qatar. In 2025, inflation was 1.55% in Mauritania and 0.6% in Qatar.

Top exports between countries

Mauritania
Export category Export value
Chemicals & pharma $57K
Wood & paper products $1K
Qatar
Export category Export value
Chemicals & pharma $1.9M
Machinery & equipment $446K
Animal & marine products $223K
Miscellaneous $49K
Metals $36K
Raw agricultural goods $17K
Textiles & consumer goods $8K

Balance of trade

Mauritania Qatar
Current account balance
-$1.04B
2024
$31.9B
2025
Current account balance ranking
118/190
2024
17/190
2025
Current account balance, % of GDP
-9.55%
2024
+14.8%
2025
Goods imports
$4.32B
2024
$34.3B
2025
Goods exports
$3.83B
2024
$90B
2025
Service imports
$1.05B
2024
$31.3B
2025
Service exports
$230M
2024
$24.4B
2025
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
54.2%
2025
31.6%
2022
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
39.9%
2025
68.6%
2022

Economic freedom indices

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

Mauritania Qatar
Economic freedom 53.9 70.2
Economic freedom ranking 136/197 37/197
Property rights 32.6 66.2
Government integrity 24.5 53.5
Judicial effectiveness 26.4 41.5
Tax burden 75.5 99.9
Government spending 80.2 79.9
Fiscal health 87.9 96.6
Business freedom 38.7 68
Labor freedom 53.6 58.5
Monetary freedom 77.8 76
Trade freedom 59.6 81.8
Investment freedom 50 60
Financial freedom 40 60

Economic freedom comparison by year

Mauritania
Qatar
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Mauritania Qatar
2026 53.9 70.2
2025 54.9 70.2
2024 55.3 68.8
2023 55.3 68.6
2022 55.3 67.7
2021 56.1 72
2020 55.3 72.3
2019 55.7 72.6
2018 54 72.6
2017 54.4 73.1
2016 54.8 70.7
2015 53.3 70.8
2014 53.2 71.2
2013 52.3 71.3
2012 53 71.3
2011 52.1 70.5
2010 52 69
2009 53.9 65.8
2008 55.2 62.2
2007 53.6 62.9
2006 55.7 62.4
2005 59.4 63.5
2004 61.8 66.5
2003 59 65.9
2002 52.5 61.9
2001 48.5 60
2000 46 62
1999 42.8 62
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/qatar | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Mauritania is 53.9, ranking 136/197, compared to 70.2 for Qatar, ranking 37/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Mauritania Qatar
Services, % of GDP
42.4%
2025
47%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
29.7%
2025
57%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
20%
2025
0.31%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$11.8B
2025
$221B
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$7,640
2025
$126,290
2025
Total reserves including gold
$2.04B
2021
$55.8B
2025
Total reserves ranking
127/177
2021
45/177
2025
Net foreign direct investment
-$1.44B
2024
$311M
2025
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$1.44B
2024
$460M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$3.9M
2024
$1.56B
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
3.83%
2024
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
31.8%
2019
n/a
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
44.3%
2025
30.6%
2022

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/qatar | CC BY

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1961–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, 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 (2020–2024, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  6. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  7. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)

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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.