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Economy of Mauritania vs Romania compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Mauritania has a GDP of $10.9B compared to $383B for Romania, ranking 153/197 and 42/197 by economy size, respectively.

Mauritania has $4.67B in government debt (42.8% of GDP), compared to $220B (57.4% of GDP) in Romania.

Mauritania vs Romania GDP by year

Mauritania
Romania
1x
Year GDP, current $
Mauritania Romania
2024 $10,908,045,687 $382,564,217,989
2023 $10,726,838,461 $347,757,995,759
2022 $9,557,966,698 $295,319,437,557
2021 $9,222,536,364 $285,071,280,114
2020 $8,260,752,385 $250,625,048,304
2019 $7,894,764,886 $250,080,428,512
2018 $7,473,550,557 $241,791,427,224
2017 $6,800,135,898 $210,147,385,855
2016 $6,398,747,592 $185,290,759,249
2015 $6,166,863,897 $177,885,131,240
2014 $6,592,537,782 $199,722,319,676
2013 $7,223,071,097 $189,798,603,751
2012 $6,728,208,836 $179,117,323,107
2011 $6,764,627,746 $192,623,977,894
2010 $5,628,878,798 $170,064,350,672
2009 $4,714,595,548 $174,110,532,659
2008 $5,206,437,194 $214,315,932,061
2007 $4,346,212,355 $174,588,782,939
2006 $3,919,577,286 $122,023,735,993
2005 $2,936,019,526 $98,454,380,120
2004 $2,362,501,023 $74,973,656,852
2003 $2,051,147,607 $57,806,384,143
2002 $1,777,057,481 $46,065,502,703
2001 $1,746,063,558 $40,395,116,581
2000 $1,779,520,886 $37,253,739,511
1999 $1,985,922,776 $35,953,156,754
1998 $2,032,347,665 $41,696,091,974
1997 $2,071,996,564 $35,575,214,078
1996 $2,132,087,009 $36,937,074,278
1995 $2,091,726,101 $37,430,162,103
1994 $1,944,876,755 $30,072,805,104
1993 $1,847,353,211 $26,361,160,450
1992 $2,164,298,425 $25,121,666,667
1991 $2,133,692,697 $28,850,634,900
1990 $1,506,914,408 $38,247,882,300
1989 $1,450,647,019 $41,450,777,202
1988 $1,414,951,290 $40,424,528,302
1987 $1,344,664,725 $38,067,567,568
1986 $1,186,628,778 -
1985 $1,009,723,326 -
1984 $1,074,373,230 -
1983 $1,165,171,263 -
1982 $1,108,776,653 -
1981 $1,105,494,682 -
1980 $1,047,925,106 -
1979 $951,900,945 -
1978 $804,629,877 -
1977 $799,030,017 -
1976 $775,045,517 -
1975 $703,377,837 -
1974 $613,010,553 -
1973 $493,237,876 -
1972 $391,669,449 -
1971 $335,568,907 -
1970 $309,405,316 -
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 (1961–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

GDP per capita in Mauritania vs Romania by year

Mauritania
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Romania
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Mauritania Romania
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $2,110 $7,369 $20,080 $49,077
2023 $2,136 $6,966 $18,244 $45,982
2022 $1,960 $6,485 $15,504 $41,979
2021 $1,948 $5,837 $14,908 $37,534
2020 $1,796 $5,741 $13,009 $34,194
2019 $1,767 $5,610 $12,910 $33,425
2018 $1,723 $5,429 $12,416 $29,383
2017 $1,615 $5,353 $10,728 $26,943
2016 $1,566 $4,683 $9,405 $23,905
2015 $1,555 $3,978 $8,977 $21,625
2014 $1,713 $3,865 $10,032 $20,633
2013 $1,934 $3,831 $9,498 $19,678
2012 $1,859 $3,465 $8,930 $19,808
2011 $1,931 $3,271 $9,561 $18,804
2010 $1,660 $3,178 $8,400 $17,355
2009 $1,435 $3,159 $8,548 $16,641
2008 $1,636 $3,236 $10,435 $16,782
2007 $1,405 $3,278 $8,360 $13,703
2006 $1,301 $3,342 $5,758 $11,554
2005 $999 $2,809 $4,618 $9,602
2004 $824 $2,570 $3,495 $8,989
2003 $732 $2,447 $2,679 $7,559
2002 $649 $2,296 $2,120 $7,162
2001 $652 $2,280 $1,825 $6,520
2000 $681 $2,304 $1,660 $5,850
1999 $781 $2,411 $1,600 $5,596
1998 $821 $2,355 $1,853 $5,545
1997 $859 $2,325 $1,577 $5,564
1996 $904 $2,436 $1,633 $5,746
1995 $905 $2,306 $1,650 $5,429
1994 $865 $2,114 $1,323 $4,995
1993 $850 $2,209 $1,158 $4,699
1992 $1,036 $2,122 $1,102 $4,515
1991 $1,062 $2,116 $1,254 $4,795
1990 $772 $2,070 $1,648 $5,280
1989 $762 - $1,790 -
1988 $762 - $1,753 -
1987 $746 - $1,659 -
1986 $677 - - -
1985 $593 - - -
1984 $650 - - -
1983 $725 - - -
1982 $710 - - -
1981 $729 - - -
1980 $711 - - -
1979 $664 - - -
1978 $578 - - -
1977 $590 - - -
1976 $589 - - -
1975 $551 - - -
1974 $494 - - -
1973 $410 - - -
1972 $335 - - -
1971 $296 - - -
1970 $281.3 - - -
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 (1961–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

Mauritania's GDP per capita is $2,110, ranking 156/197, compared to $20,080 in Romania, ranking 58/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Mauritania ranks 147th at $7,369, while Romania ranks 47th at $49,077.

Economic indicators

Mauritania Romania
Gross domestic product
$10.9B
2024
$383B
2024
GDP rank
153/197
2024
42/197
2024
GDP growth
6.31%
2023-2024
0.92%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$2,110
2024
$20,080
2024
GDP per capita rank
156/197
2024
58/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$7,369
2024
$49,077
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
147/197
2024
47/197
2024
Government debt
$4.67B
2024
$220B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
42.8%
2024
57.4%
2024
Government debt per person
$904
2024
$11,533
2024
Government debt per person rank
145/185
2024
48/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$2,078
2026
$13,912
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$47.4B
2024
Number of billionaires n/a
6
2025
Income share by richest 10%
24.6%
2019
21.8%
2023
Income share by poorest 10%
3.1%
2019
2.4%
2023
Government expenditure, % of GDP
23.6%
2024
39.9%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
2.49%
2023-2024
5.6%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate n/a
6.5%
2024
Unemployment rate
10.4%
2019
5.43%
2024
Population
5505206
18839108

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Mauritania
Spending

Debt
Romania
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Mauritania Romania
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 23.6% 42.8% 39.9% 57.4%
2023 24.8% 47.1% 36.6% 52.1%
2022 28.7% 50.5% 37.4% 51.7%
2021 20.8% 54.5% 37% 51.5%
2020 18.5% 56.5% 38.1% 49.3%
2019 17.8% 57.7% 33.2% 36.5%
2018 19% 59.2% 31.7% 36.2%
2017 20.3% 55.7% 31% 37.1%
2016 20.8% 57.6% 31.8% 39.5%
2015 25.7% 59.9% 34.2% 39.4%
2014 23.9% 49.5% 33.8% 40.5%
2013 20.1% 40.7% 34.2% 39.3%
2012 21.5% 39.3% 33.5% 36.2%
2011 17% 38.8% 35% 32.6%
2010 17.3% 43.9% 37.4% 30.2%
2009 19.6% 54.3% 36.3% 22.5%
2008 19.8% 57.2% 35.3% 13%
2007 19.7% 61.5% 34.6% 12.4%
2006 19% 38% 33.9% 12.7%
2005 21.3% 71.1% 32.3% 17.8%
2004 23.9% 22% 33.7% 21.3%
2003 - 22.9% 31.8% 24.9%
2002 - 59.5% 32.1% 27.4%
2001 - 63.5% 33.2% 27.4%
2000 - 55.5% 35% 29.6%
1999 - - 35.1% 21.7%
1998 - - 34.7% 16.5%
1997 - - 33.5% 15%
1996 - - 33.5% 11%
1995 - - 34.4% 6.91%
1994 - - 33.1% -
1993 - - 33.5% -
1992 - - 41.5% -
1991 - - 38.3% -
1990 - - 38.4% -
1989 - - 40.1% -
1988 - - 36.6% -
1987 - - 40.7% -
1986 - - 42.5% -
1985 - - 41.6% -
1984 - - 28.6% -
1983 - - 25.8% -
1982 - - 28.5% -
1981 - - 30.4% -
1980 - - 33.6% -
1979 - - 42% -
1978 - - 42.1% -
1977 - - 39.9% -
1976 - - 37.5% -
1975 - - 40.6% -
1974 - - 37.6% -
1973 - - 32.6% -
1972 - - 29.9% -
1971 - - 27.2% -
1970 - - 28.1% -
1969 - - 32.1% -
1968 - - 31.8% -
1967 - - 30.6% -
1966 - - 27.3% -
1965 - - 25.6% -
1964 - - 25.1% -
1963 - - 23.1% -
1962 - - 43.4% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1962–1999, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Mauritania's government spending was $2.57B, accounting for 23.6% of its GDP, while Romania spent $153B, or 39.9% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 42.8% in Mauritania and 57.4% in Romania, ranking 126/185 and 87/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Mauritania

Romania
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Mauritania Romania
2024 -1.35% -8.68%
2023 -2.45% -5.61%
2022 -3.09% -5.83%
2021 2.6% -6.7%
2020 2.78% -9.54%
2019 2.65% -4.55%
2018 3.23% -2.74%
2017 0.53% -2.86%
2016 0.13% -2.5%
2015 -2.44% -1.35%
2014 -2.64% -1.76%
2013 -0.66% -2.44%
2012 1.67% -2.39%
2011 0.07% -4.14%
2010 -0.45% -6.22%
2009 -3.59% -6.86%
2008 -3.32% -4.6%
2007 -1.38% -3.05%
2006 2.05% -1.36%
2005 -3.16% -0.69%
2004 -3.06% -3.39%
2003 - -2.29%
2002 - -2.59%
2001 - -3.2%
2000 - -3.99%
1999 - -3.58%
1998 - -5.33%
1997 - -5.19%
1996 - -4.74%
1995 - -3.32%
1994 - -2.2%
1993 - -0.35%
1992 - -4.55%
1991 - 3.23%
1990 - 1.03%
1989 - -2.87%
1988 - 8.4%
1987 - 2.37%
1986 - 5.72%
1985 - 6.36%
1984 - 15.2%
1983 - 9.35%
1982 - 0.36%
1981 - 0.61%
1980 - -1.95%
1979 - 0%
1978 - 0%
1977 - 0.23%
1976 - 0.66%
1975 - 0.41%
1974 - 0.51%
1973 - 1.53%
1972 - 1.21%
1971 - 0.89%
1970 - 0.52%
1969 - 0.93%
1968 - 1.65%
1967 - 1.23%
1966 - 0.91%
1965 - -1.29%
1964 - -3.11%
1963 - -1.61%
1962 - -4.86%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1962–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/mauritania/romania | 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 Romania's deficit of $33.2B, or 8.68% of GDP.

Over the past 21 years, Mauritania recorded a fiscal deficit in 12 of those years, while Romania ran a deficit in 21 years. On average, Mauritania posted an annual deficit equal to 0.57% of GDP, compared to deficit of 4.15% of GDP for Romania.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Mauritania

Romania
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Mauritania Romania
2024 2.49% 5.6%
2023 4.95% 10.4%
2022 9.53% 13.8%
2021 3.57% 5%
2020 2.39% 2.6%
2019 2.3% 3.8%
2018 3.07% 4.6%
2017 2.25% 1.3%
2016 1.47% -1.6%
2015 3.25% -0.6%
2014 3.53% 1.1%
2013 4.13% 4%
2012 4.9% 3.3%
2011 5.69% 5.8%
2010 6.28% 6.1%
2009 2.22% 5.6%
2008 7.35% 7.8%
2007 7.25% 4.8%
2006 6.24% 6.6%
2005 12.1% 9%
2004 10.4% 11.9%
2003 5.15% 15.4%
2002 3.9% 22.5%
2001 4.71% 34.5%
2000 3.25% 45.7%
1999 4.07% 45.8%
1998 8.03% 59.1%
1997 4.63% 154.8%

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/mauritania/romania | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Mauritania has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 4.97%, compared with 17.5% in Romania. In 2024, inflation was 2.49% in Mauritania and 5.6% in Romania.

Top exports between countries

Mauritania
Export category Export value
Raw materials & minerals $8.75M
Animal & marine products $1.24M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $207K
Machinery & equipment $20K
Romania
Export category Export value
Raw agricultural goods $49.8M
Raw materials & minerals $286K
Metals $93K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $90K
Machinery & equipment $86K
Wood & paper products $76K
Textiles & consumer goods $38K
Chemicals & pharma $7K

Balance of trade

Mauritania Romania
Current account balance
-$1.04B
2024
-$31.2B
2024
Current account balance ranking
124/190
2024
185/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-9.53%
2024
-8.16%
2024
Goods imports
$4.32B
2024
$129B
2024
Goods exports
$3.83B
2024
$93.3B
2024
Service imports
$1.05B
2024
$30.2B
2024
Service exports
$230M
2024
$42.9B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
52.2%
2024
41.6%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
41.4%
2024
35.6%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Mauritania Romania
Economic freedom 53.9 65.4
Economic freedom ranking 136/197 64/197
Property rights 32.6 81
Government integrity 24.5 50
Judicial effectiveness 26.4 67
Tax burden 75.5 89.1
Government spending 80.2 56.7
Fiscal health 87.9 21.4
Business freedom 38.7 74.4
Labor freedom 53.6 63.6
Monetary freedom 77.8 72.7
Trade freedom 59.6 79.4
Investment freedom 50 70
Financial freedom 40 60

Economic freedom comparison by year

Mauritania
Romania
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Mauritania Romania
2026 53.9 65.4
2025 54.9 66.5
2024 55.3 64.4
2023 55.3 64.5
2022 55.3 67.1
2021 56.1 69.5
2020 55.3 69.7
2019 55.7 68.6
2018 54 69.4
2017 54.4 69.7
2016 54.8 65.6
2015 53.3 66.6
2014 53.2 65.5
2013 52.3 65.1
2012 53 64.4
2011 52.1 64.7
2010 52 64.2
2009 53.9 63.2
2008 55.2 61.7
2007 53.6 61.2
2006 55.7 58.2
2005 59.4 52.1
2004 61.8 50
2003 59 50.6
2002 52.5 48.7
2001 48.5 50
2000 46 52.1
1999 42.8 50.1
1998 43.7 54.4
1997 47 50.8
1996 45.5 46.2
1995 - 42.9

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Mauritania is 53.9, ranking 136/197, compared to 65.4 for Romania, ranking 64/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Mauritania Romania
Services, % of GDP
42.4%
2024
62.6%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
30.5%
2024
25.3%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
19.3%
2024
2.81%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$11B
2024
$335B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$7,300
2024
$47,920
2024
Total reserves including gold
$2.04B
2021
$73.4B
2024
Total reserves ranking
126/177
2021
35/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$1.44B
2024
-$5.17B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$1.44B
2024
$7.16B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$3.9M
2024
$1.99B
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
3.82%
2024
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
31.8%
2019
19%
2023
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
43.1%
2024
25%
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/romania | CC BY

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1961–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  3. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1962–1999, 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 (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.