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Economy of Mauritania vs Samoa compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Mauritania has a GDP of $11.7B compared to $1.29B for Samoa, ranking 153/197 and 186/197 by economy size, respectively.

Mauritania has $4.68B in government debt (40.1% of GDP), compared to $273M (21.2% of GDP) in Samoa.

Mauritania vs Samoa GDP by year

Mauritania
Samoa
1x
Year GDP, current $
Mauritania Samoa
2025 $11,679,910,946 $1,287,936,622
2024 $10,879,212,033 $1,175,749,786
2023 $10,687,541,640 $1,044,909,500
2022 $9,562,497,461 $889,554,712
2021 $9,221,044,667 $859,724,936
2020 $8,260,567,357 $868,884,903
2019 $7,894,764,886 $912,950,466
2018 $7,475,471,310 $878,448,433
2017 $6,812,472,965 $884,844,384
2016 $6,407,900,701 $843,924,797
2015 $6,182,303,677 $824,150,499
2014 $6,615,483,550 $796,683,520
2013 $7,230,646,063 $797,736,334
2012 $6,728,208,836 $773,141,661
2011 $6,764,627,746 $744,097,050
2010 $5,628,878,798 $680,260,907
2009 $4,714,595,548 $628,006,115
2008 $5,206,437,194 $641,346,192
2007 $4,346,212,355 $573,548,460
2006 $3,919,577,286 $499,923,758
2005 $2,936,019,526 $476,801,793
2004 $2,362,501,023 $407,747,565
2003 $2,051,147,607 $333,426,188
2002 $1,777,057,481 $281,790,134
2001 $1,746,063,558 $266,299,591
2000 $1,779,520,886 $258,856,140
1999 $1,985,922,776 $255,408,060
1998 $2,032,347,665 $269,485,244
1997 $2,071,996,564 $285,475,592
1996 $2,132,087,009 $249,907,869
1995 $2,091,726,101 $224,865,731
1994 $1,944,876,755 $221,098,107
1993 $1,847,353,211 $133,122,897
1992 $2,164,298,425 $132,303,041
1991 $2,133,692,697 $125,597,205
1990 $1,506,914,408 $125,766,270
1989 $1,450,647,019 $122,888,610
1988 $1,414,951,290 $133,016,065
1987 $1,344,664,725 $111,713,922
1986 $1,186,628,778 $100,947,849
1985 $1,009,723,326 $95,572,173
1984 $1,074,373,230 $109,200,934
1983 $1,165,171,263 $111,862,824
1982 $1,108,776,653 $121,221,652
1981 $1,105,494,682 $118,190,655
1980 $1,047,925,106 $125,747,038
1979 $951,900,945 $122,257,393
1978 $804,629,877 $108,223,444
1977 $799,030,017 $98,295,671
1976 $775,045,517 $85,003,078
1975 $703,377,837 $93,489,283
1974 $613,010,553 $93,549,611
1973 $493,237,876 $82,452,985
1972 $391,669,449 $62,566,116
1971 $335,568,907 $53,719,569
1970 $309,405,316 $45,208,338
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/samoa | CC BY

GDP per capita in Mauritania vs Samoa by year

Mauritania
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Samoa
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Mauritania Samoa
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $2,198 - $5,873 -
2024 $2,105 $7,369 $5,393 $8,737
2023 $2,128 $6,966 $4,823 $8,195
2022 $1,961 $6,485 $4,132 $6,909
2021 $1,947 $5,837 $4,022 $6,350
2020 $1,796 $5,741 $4,100 $6,451
2019 $1,767 $5,610 $4,352 $6,638
2018 $1,723 $5,429 $4,232 $6,318
2017 $1,618 $5,353 $4,308 $6,280
2016 $1,568 $4,683 $4,147 $6,141
2015 $1,559 $3,978 $4,084 $5,682
2014 $1,719 $3,865 $3,983 $5,468
2013 $1,936 $3,831 $4,024 $5,387
2012 $1,859 $3,465 $3,935 $5,339
2011 $1,931 $3,271 $3,822 $5,494
2010 $1,660 $3,178 $3,524 $5,229
2009 $1,435 $3,159 $3,279 $4,906
2008 $1,636 $3,236 $3,374 $4,939
2007 $1,405 $3,278 $3,039 $4,713
2006 $1,301 $3,342 $2,663 $4,592
2005 $999 $2,809 $2,550 $4,379
2004 $824 $2,570 $2,189 $3,997
2003 $732 $2,447 $1,798 $3,792
2002 $649 $2,296 $1,528 $3,553
2001 $652 $2,280 $1,454 $3,335
2000 $681 $2,304 $1,425 $3,062
1999 $781 $2,411 $1,417 $2,871
1998 $821 $2,355 $1,506 $2,792
1997 $859 $2,325 $1,608 $2,722
1996 $904 $2,436 $1,419 $2,681
1995 $905 $2,306 $1,288 $2,478
1994 $865 $2,114 $1,277 $2,294
1993 $850 $2,209 $775 $2,323
1992 $1,036 $2,122 $777 $2,198
1991 $1,062 $2,116 $742 $2,166
1990 $772 $2,070 $744 $2,148
1989 $762 - $728 -
1988 $762 - $790 -
1987 $746 - $666 -
1986 $677 - $604 -
1985 $593 - $573 -
1984 $650 - $655 -
1983 $725 - $671 -
1982 $710 - $728 -
1981 $729 - $713 -
1980 $711 - $765 -
1979 $664 - $751 -
1978 $578 - $671 -
1977 $590 - $615 -
1976 $589 - $541 -
1975 $551 - $610 -
1974 $494 - $626 -
1973 $410 - $563 -
1972 $335 - $433 -
1971 $296 - $377 -
1970 $281.3 - $322 -
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/samoa | CC BY

Mauritania's GDP per capita is $2,198, ranking 156/197, compared to $5,873 in Samoa, ranking 115/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Mauritania ranks 147th at $7,369, while Samoa ranks 137th at $8,737.

Economic indicators

Mauritania Samoa
Gross domestic product
$11.7B
2025
$1.29B
2025
GDP rank
153/197
2025
186/197
2025
GDP growth
4.03%
2024-2025
4.2%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$2,198
2025
$5,873
2025
GDP per capita rank
156/197
2025
115/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$7,369
2024
$8,737
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
147/197
2024
137/197
2024
Government debt
$4.68B
2025
$273M
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
40.1%
2025
21.2%
2025
Government debt per person
$881
2025
$1,246
2025
Government debt per person rank
147/185
2025
136/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$2,242
2026
$3,918
2026
Income share by richest 10%
24.6%
2019
31.3%
2013
Income share by poorest 10%
3.1%
2019
2.7%
2013
Government expenditure, % of GDP
23.4%
2025
26.4%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
1.55%
2024-2025
2.21%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate n/a
2.95%
2026
Unemployment rate
10.4%
2019
5.05%
2022
Population
5539189
221158

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Mauritania
Spending

Debt
Samoa
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Mauritania Samoa
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 23.4% 40.1% 26.4% 21.2%
2024 23.6% 45.1% 26.3% 25.2%
2023 24.8% 48.6% 28.8% 31.8%
2022 28.7% 50.3% 31.1% 41%
2021 20.8% 54.5% 34.1% 45.4%
2020 18.5% 56.5% 30.5% 43.2%
2019 17.8% 57.7% 31.8% 44.3%
2018 19% 59.2% 30% 49.4%
2017 20.3% 55.7% 30.9% 46.7%
2016 20.8% 57.6% 27.3% 49%
2015 25.7% 59.9% 30.5% 56.4%
2014 23.9% 49.5% 35.3% 54.9%
2013 20.1% 40.7% 30.7% 54.1%
2012 21.5% 39.3% 33.6% 50.9%
2011 17% 38.8% 33.7% 41.5%
2010 17.3% 43.9% 29.4% 40.3%
2009 19.6% 54.3% 31.5% 33.3%
2008 19.8% 57.2% 27.7% 28.2%
2007 19.7% 61.5% 31.1% 31.5%
2006 19% 38% 27.7% 33.5%
2005 21.3% 71.1% 30.6% 34.2%
2004 23.9% 22% 27.3% 39.8%
2003 - 22.9% 28.5% 42.8%
2002 - 59.5% 30.7% 50.3%
2001 - 63.5% 30% 53.8%
2000 - 55.5% 30.4% 55.8%
1999 - - 33.8% 59.4%
1998 - - 28.1% 58.9%
1997 - - 31% -
1996 - - 38.9% -
1995 - - 42.2% -
1994 - - 54.1% -
1993 - - 49.5% -
1992 - - 43.4% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1992–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, Mauritania's government spending was $2.73B, accounting for 23.4% of its GDP, while Samoa spent $340M, or 26.4% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 40.1% in Mauritania and 21.2% in Samoa, ranking 134/185 and 172/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Mauritania

Samoa
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Mauritania Samoa
2025 -0.3% 4.68%
2024 -1.35% 9.29%
2023 -2.45% 2.7%
2022 -3.09% 5.03%
2021 2.6% 1.71%
2020 2.78% 5.41%
2019 2.65% 1.51%
2018 3.23% 0.06%
2017 0.53% -1.98%
2016 0.13% -0.35%
2015 -2.44% -3.79%
2014 -2.64% -5.38%
2013 -0.66% -3.82%
2012 1.67% -7.43%
2011 0.07% -5.25%
2010 -0.45% -5.49%
2009 -3.59% -2.98%
2008 -3.32% -0.36%
2007 -1.38% 0.55%
2006 2.05% -0.44%
2005 -3.16% 0.23%
2004 -3.06% -0.74%
2003 - -0.51%
2002 - -1.77%
2001 - -1.96%
2000 - -0.62%
1999 - 0.27%
1998 - 1.64%
1997 - 1.92%
1996 - 1.21%
1995 - -5.82%
1994 - -9.51%
1993 - -13.2%
1992 - -9.89%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1992–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/mauritania/samoa | 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 Samoa's surplus of $60.3M, or 4.68% of GDP.

Over the past 22 years, Mauritania recorded a fiscal deficit in 13 of those years, while Samoa ran a deficit in 12 years. On average, Mauritania posted an annual deficit equal to 0.55% of GDP, compared to deficit of 0.31% of GDP for Samoa.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Mauritania

Samoa
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Mauritania Samoa
2025 1.55% 2.21%
2024 2.49% 2.17%
2023 4.95% 7.92%
2022 9.53% 11%
2021 3.57% 3.13%
2020 2.39% -1.57%
2019 2.3% 0.98%
2018 3.07% 4.2%
2017 2.25% 1.75%
2016 1.47% 1.3%
2015 3.25% 0.72%
2014 3.53% -0.41%
2013 4.13% 0.61%
2012 4.9% 2.05%
2011 5.69% 5.24%
2010 6.28% 0.78%
2009 2.22% 6.32%
2008 7.35% 11.6%
2007 7.25% 5.58%
2006 6.24% 3.7%
2005 12.1% 1.86%
2004 10.4% 16.3%
2003 5.15% 0.12%
2002 3.9% 8.05%
2001 4.71% 3.84%
2000 3.25% 0.97%
1999 4.07% 0.27%
1998 8.03% 2.22%
1997 4.63% 6.86%

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

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

Over the past 29 years, Mauritania has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 4.85%, compared with 3.78% in Samoa. In 2025, inflation was 1.55% in Mauritania and 2.21% in Samoa.

Balance of trade

Mauritania Samoa
Current account balance
-$1.04B
2024
$89.3M
2025
Current account balance ranking
118/190
2024
64/190
2025
Current account balance, % of GDP
-9.55%
2024
+6.93%
2025
Goods imports
$4.32B
2024
$440M
2025
Goods exports
$3.83B
2024
$24.2M
2025
Service imports
$1.05B
2024
$108M
2025
Service exports
$230M
2024
$328M
2025
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
54.2%
2025
43%
2025
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
39.9%
2025
27.6%
2025

Economic freedom indices

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

Mauritania Samoa
Economic freedom 53.9 68
Economic freedom ranking 136/197 52/197
Property rights 32.6 77.1
Government integrity 24.5 64.1
Judicial effectiveness 26.4 77.6
Tax burden 75.5 79.3
Government spending 80.2 75.2
Fiscal health 87.9 98.7
Business freedom 38.7 63.7
Labor freedom 53.6 73.7
Monetary freedom 77.8 69.4
Trade freedom 59.6 67.2
Investment freedom 50 40
Financial freedom 40 30

Economic freedom comparison by year

Mauritania
Samoa
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Mauritania Samoa
2026 53.9 68
2025 54.9 66.6
2024 55.3 67.2
2023 55.3 68.3
2022 55.3 68.3
2021 56.1 61.9
2020 55.3 62.1
2019 55.7 62.2
2018 54 61.5
2017 54.4 58.4
2016 54.8 63.5
2015 53.3 61.9
2014 53.2 61.1
2013 52.3 57.1
2012 53 60.5
2011 52.1 60.6
2010 52 60.4
2009 53.9 59.5
2008 55.2 -
2007 53.6 -
2006 55.7 -
2005 59.4 -
2004 61.8 -
2003 59 -
2002 52.5 -
2001 48.5 63.1
2000 46 60.8
1999 42.8 58.7
1998 43.7 49.9
1997 47 51.5
1996 45.5 47.6

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Mauritania is 53.9, ranking 136/197, compared to 68 for Samoa, ranking 52/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Mauritania Samoa
Services, % of GDP
42.4%
2025
72.1%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
29.7%
2025
10.2%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
20%
2025
9.09%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$11.8B
2025
$1.24B
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$7,640
2025
$9,300
2025
Total reserves including gold
$2.04B
2021
$598M
2025
Total reserves ranking
127/177
2021
153/177
2025
Net foreign direct investment
-$1.44B
2024
-$1.83M
2025
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$1.44B
2024
$3.74M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$3.9M
2024
$2.05M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
3.83%
2024
3.15%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
31.8%
2019
21.9%
2018
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
44.3%
2025
30%
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/samoa | 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 (1992–2025, 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. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  6. 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.