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Economy of Mauritania vs Senegal compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Mauritania has a GDP of $10.9B compared to $32.8B for Senegal, ranking 153/197 and 109/197 by economy size, respectively.

Mauritania has $4.67B in government debt (42.8% of GDP), compared to $42.1B (128.4% of GDP) in Senegal.

Mauritania vs Senegal GDP by year

Mauritania
Senegal
1x
Year GDP, current $
Mauritania Senegal
2024 $10,908,045,687 $32,808,056,601
2023 $10,726,838,461 $30,696,331,296
2022 $9,557,966,698 $27,783,332,223
2021 $9,222,536,364 $27,520,784,130
2020 $8,260,752,385 $24,530,513,038
2019 $7,894,764,886 $23,403,995,992
2018 $7,473,550,557 $23,116,701,556
2017 $6,800,135,898 $20,996,562,944
2016 $6,398,747,592 $19,040,312,333
2015 $6,166,863,897 $17,774,766,696
2014 $6,592,537,782 $19,797,253,440
2013 $7,223,071,097 $18,918,667,725
2012 $6,728,208,836 $17,660,870,412
2011 $6,764,627,746 $17,814,283,639
2010 $5,628,878,798 $16,121,315,909
2009 $4,714,595,548 $16,145,867,495
2008 $5,206,437,194 $16,853,989,628
2007 $4,346,212,355 $13,994,218,413
2006 $3,919,577,286 $11,697,918,243
2005 $2,936,019,526 $11,009,033,438
2004 $2,362,501,023 $10,076,816,667
2003 $2,051,147,607 $8,768,721,563
2002 $1,777,057,481 $7,006,402,320
2001 $1,746,063,558 $6,507,824,829
2000 $1,779,520,886 $6,013,185,004
1999 $1,985,922,776 $6,592,834,933
1998 $2,032,347,665 $6,505,607,909
1997 $2,071,996,564 $6,041,478,726
1996 $2,132,087,009 $6,559,712,166
1995 $2,091,726,101 $6,326,342,633
1994 $1,944,876,755 $5,034,588,196
1993 $1,847,353,211 $7,367,986,241
1992 $2,164,298,425 $7,769,817,840
1991 $2,133,692,697 $7,255,210,470
1990 $1,506,914,408 $7,390,967,360
1989 $1,450,647,019 $6,366,039,373
1988 $1,414,951,290 $6,418,419,389
1987 $1,344,664,725 $6,487,353,103
1986 $1,186,628,778 $5,392,093,446
1985 $1,009,723,326 $3,818,944,918
1984 $1,074,373,230 $3,485,165,432
1983 $1,165,171,263 $3,569,356,125
1982 $1,108,776,653 $4,013,951,443
1981 $1,105,494,682 $4,095,892,781
1980 $1,047,925,106 $4,510,108,291
1979 $951,900,945 $4,084,877,823
1978 $804,629,877 $3,280,354,921
1977 $799,030,017 $2,938,046,463
1976 $775,045,517 $2,869,777,884
1975 $703,377,837 $2,830,388,405
1974 $613,010,553 $2,099,325,229
1973 $493,237,876 $1,863,398,590
1972 $391,669,449 $1,620,857,104
1971 $335,568,907 $1,339,549,033
1970 $309,405,316 $1,297,407,655
1969 $295,062,308 $1,245,234,931
1968 $311,395,937 $1,309,384,862
1967 $282,615,310 $1,246,480,766
1966 $266,533,605 $1,246,908,186
1965 $255,340,475 $1,210,058,228
1964 $224,495,744 $1,188,930,645
1963 $168,186,297 $1,122,139,862
1962 $164,271,558 $1,085,475,791
1961 $159,213,430 $1,058,975,257
1960 - $1,003,692,370

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

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

GDP per capita in Mauritania vs Senegal by year

Mauritania
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Senegal
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Mauritania Senegal
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $2,110 $7,369 $1,773 $5,071
2023 $2,136 $6,966 $1,698 $4,778
2022 $1,960 $6,485 $1,574 $4,530
2021 $1,948 $5,837 $1,598 $4,174
2020 $1,796 $5,741 $1,461 $3,753
2019 $1,767 $5,610 $1,431 $3,648
2018 $1,723 $5,429 $1,453 $3,380
2017 $1,615 $5,353 $1,357 $3,234
2016 $1,566 $4,683 $1,266 $3,101
2015 $1,555 $3,978 $1,218 $2,994
2014 $1,713 $3,865 $1,399 $2,854
2013 $1,934 $3,831 $1,380 $2,769
2012 $1,859 $3,465 $1,327 $2,764
2011 $1,931 $3,271 $1,375 $2,685
2010 $1,660 $3,178 $1,276 $2,663
2009 $1,435 $3,159 $1,309 $2,606
2008 $1,636 $3,236 $1,399 $2,581
2007 $1,405 $3,278 $1,189 $2,499
2006 $1,301 $3,342 $1,017 $2,422
2005 $999 $2,809 $980 $2,350
2004 $824 $2,570 $918 $2,236
2003 $732 $2,447 $818 $2,131
2002 $649 $2,296 $669 $2,027
2001 $652 $2,280 $637 $2,044
2000 $681 $2,304 $603 $1,963
1999 $781 $2,411 $678 $1,893
1998 $821 $2,355 $685 $1,798
1997 $859 $2,325 $651 $1,719
1996 $904 $2,436 $723 $1,679
1995 $905 $2,306 $715 $1,656
1994 $865 $2,114 $584 $1,578
1993 $850 $2,209 $878 $1,588
1992 $1,036 $2,122 $951 $1,573
1991 $1,062 $2,116 $913 $1,561
1990 $772 $2,070 $957 $1,513
1989 $762 - $849 -
1988 $762 - $880 -
1987 $746 - $916 -
1986 $677 - $784 -
1985 $593 - $571 -
1984 $650 - $536 -
1983 $725 - $564 -
1982 $710 - $652 -
1981 $729 - $683 -
1980 $711 - $772 -
1979 $664 - $716 -
1978 $578 - $589 -
1977 $590 - $540 -
1976 $589 - $541 -
1975 $551 - $547 -
1974 $494 - $417 -
1973 $410 - $381 -
1972 $335 - $342 -
1971 $296 - $291.1 -
1970 $281.3 - $290.5 -
1969 $276.6 - $287.3 -
1968 $301 - $311 -
1967 $281.5 - $305 -
1966 $273.6 - $315 -
1965 $270 - $314 -
1964 $244.3 - $318 -
1963 $188.2 - $309 -
1962 $189 - $307 -
1961 $188.2 - $308 -
1960 - - $300 -

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

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

Mauritania's GDP per capita is $2,110, ranking 156/197, compared to $1,773 in Senegal, ranking 159/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Mauritania ranks 147th at $7,369, while Senegal ranks 158th at $5,071.

Economic indicators

Mauritania Senegal
Gross domestic product
$10.9B
2024
$32.8B
2024
GDP rank
153/197
2024
109/197
2024
GDP growth
6.31%
2023-2024
6.06%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$2,110
2024
$1,773
2024
GDP per capita rank
156/197
2024
159/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$7,369
2024
$5,071
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
147/197
2024
158/197
2024
Government debt
$4.67B
2024
$42.1B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
42.8%
2024
128.4%
2024
Government debt per person
$904
2024
$2,277
2024
Government debt per person rank
145/185
2024
115/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$2,078
2026
$2,194
2026
Income share by richest 10%
24.6%
2019
28.8%
2021
Income share by poorest 10%
3.1%
2019
3%
2021
Government expenditure, % of GDP
23.6%
2024
33.5%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
2.49%
2023-2024
0.8%
2023-2024
Unemployment rate
10.4%
2019
5.78%
2024
Population
5505206
19491599

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Mauritania
Spending

Debt
Senegal
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Mauritania Senegal
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 23.6% 42.8% 33.5% 128.4%
2023 24.8% 47.1% 35.5% 118.4%
2022 28.7% 50.5% 36.2% 105%
2021 20.8% 54.5% 33.6% 98.6%
2020 18.5% 56.5% 29.6% 90.2%
2019 17.8% 57.7% 34.3% 81.5%
2018 19% 59.2% 22.6% 61.5%
2017 20.3% 55.7% 22.5% 61.1%
2016 20.8% 57.6% 24% 47.5%
2015 25.7% 59.9% 22.9% 44.5%
2014 23.9% 49.5% 23.1% 42.4%
2013 20.1% 40.7% 22.1% 36.9%
2012 21.5% 39.3% 23% 34.5%
2011 17% 38.8% 23.3% 32.9%
2010 17.3% 43.9% 21.7% 34.6%
2009 19.6% 54.3% 21.1% 29.9%
2008 19.8% 57.2% 20.9% 19.1%
2007 19.7% 61.5% 22.2% 19%
2006 19% 38% 21.3% 17.5%
2005 21.3% 71.1% 18.7% 36.1%
2004 23.9% 22% 18.1% 38%
2003 - 22.9% 17.1% 42.9%
2002 - 59.5% 15.5% 52%
2001 - 63.5% 15.7% 53.2%
2000 - 55.5% 14% 57.5%
1999 - - 14.6% 15%
1998 - - 13.5% 18.8%
1997 - - 14.1% 67.8%
1996 - - 15.4% 0.07%
1995 - - 14.4% 65.3%
1994 - - 15.9% 77.3%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1994–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1994–1995, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Mauritania's government spending was $2.57B, accounting for 23.6% of its GDP, while Senegal spent $11B, or 33.5% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 42.8% in Mauritania and 128.4% in Senegal, ranking 126/185 and 11/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Mauritania

Senegal
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Mauritania Senegal
2024 -1.35% -13.4%
2023 -2.45% -14.8%
2022 -3.09% -16.1%
2021 2.6% -13.7%
2020 2.78% -9.64%
2019 2.65% -13.9%
2018 3.23% -3.66%
2017 0.53% -2.97%
2016 0.13% -3.27%
2015 -2.44% -3.66%
2014 -2.64% -3.9%
2013 -0.66% -4.34%
2012 1.67% -4.18%
2011 0.07% -4.92%
2010 -0.45% -3.94%
2009 -3.59% -3.66%
2008 -3.32% -3.53%
2007 -1.38% -2.8%
2006 2.05% -3.67%
2005 -3.16% -0.26%
2004 -3.06% 0.18%
2003 - -0.52%
2002 - 0.19%
2001 - -1.44%
2000 - 0.78%
1999 - -0.62%
1998 - 0.93%
1997 - 0.98%
1996 - 0.92%
1995 - 2.41%
1994 - 5.9%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1994–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/mauritania/senegal | 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 Senegal's deficit of $4.4B, or 13.4% of GDP.

Over the past 21 years, Mauritania recorded a fiscal deficit in 12 of those years, while Senegal ran a deficit in 20 years. On average, Mauritania posted an annual deficit equal to 0.57% of GDP, compared to deficit of 6.2% of GDP for Senegal.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Mauritania

Senegal
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Mauritania Senegal
2024 2.49% 0.8%
2023 4.95% 5.94%
2022 9.53% 9.7%
2021 3.57% 2.18%
2020 2.39% 2.54%
2019 2.3% 1.76%
2018 3.07% 0.46%
2017 2.25% 1.32%
2016 1.47% 0.84%
2015 3.25% 0.14%
2014 3.53% -1.09%
2013 4.13% 0.71%
2012 4.9% 1.42%
2011 5.69% 3.4%
2010 6.28% 1.23%
2009 2.22% -2.25%
2008 7.35% 7.35%
2007 7.25% 5.85%
2006 6.24% 2.11%
2005 12.1% 1.71%
2004 10.4% 0.51%
2003 5.15% -0.05%
2002 3.9% 2.34%
2001 4.71% 2.97%
2000 3.25% 0.73%
1999 4.07% 0.83%
1998 8.03% 1.16%
1997 4.63% 1.75%

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

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

Over the past 28 years, Mauritania has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 4.97%, compared with 2.01% in Senegal. In 2024, inflation was 2.49% in Mauritania and 0.8% in Senegal.

Top exports between countries

Mauritania
Export category Export value
Animal & marine products $11.8M
Machinery & equipment $5.12M
Raw materials & minerals $910K
Weapons & explosives $313K
Chemicals & pharma $141K
Metals $89K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $79K
Textiles & consumer goods $47K
Raw agricultural goods $27K
Wood & paper products $4K
Senegal
Export category Export value
Metals $20.7M
Chemicals & pharma $15.2M
Raw materials & minerals $12.7M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $12.4M
Textiles & consumer goods $8.48M
Raw agricultural goods $2.75M
Machinery & equipment $2.56M
Wood & paper products $1.1M
Animal & marine products $1.04M
Miscellaneous $56K

Balance of trade

Mauritania Senegal
Current account balance
-$1.04B
2024
-$6.07B
2023
Current account balance ranking
124/190
2024
170/190
2023
Current account balance, % of GDP
-9.53%
2024
-19.8%
2023
Goods imports
$4.32B
2024
$10.8B
2023
Goods exports
$3.83B
2024
$5.52B
2023
Service imports
$1.05B
2024
$4.08B
2023
Service exports
$230M
2024
$1.48B
2023
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
52.2%
2024
43.4%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
41.4%
2024
24.7%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Mauritania Senegal
Economic freedom 53.9 53.2
Economic freedom ranking 136/197 140/197
Property rights 32.6 57.4
Government integrity 24.5 47.3
Judicial effectiveness 26.4 50.5
Tax burden 75.5 68.8
Government spending 80.2 63.1
Fiscal health 87.9 0
Business freedom 38.7 55.2
Labor freedom 53.6 54.4
Monetary freedom 77.8 74.3
Trade freedom 59.6 67
Investment freedom 50 60
Financial freedom 40 40

Economic freedom comparison by year

Mauritania
Senegal
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Mauritania Senegal
2026 53.9 53.2
2025 54.9 56.4
2024 55.3 55.4
2023 55.3 57.7
2022 55.3 60
2021 56.1 58
2020 55.3 58
2019 55.7 56.3
2018 54 55.7
2017 54.4 55.9
2016 54.8 58.1
2015 53.3 57.8
2014 53.2 55.4
2013 52.3 55.5
2012 53 55.4
2011 52.1 55.7
2010 52 54.6
2009 53.9 56.3
2008 55.2 58.3
2007 53.6 58.1
2006 55.7 56.2
2005 59.4 57.9
2004 61.8 58.9
2003 59 58.1
2002 52.5 58.6
2001 48.5 58.7
2000 46 58.9
1999 42.8 60.6
1998 43.7 59.7
1997 47 58.1
1996 45.5 58.2

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1996–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09).

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Mauritania is 53.9, ranking 136/197, compared to 53.2 for Senegal, ranking 140/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Mauritania Senegal
Services, % of GDP
42.4%
2024
48.4%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
30.5%
2024
25%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
19.3%
2024
16.6%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$11B
2024
$31.1B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$7,300
2024
$4,920
2024
Total reserves including gold
$2.04B
2021
n/a
Total reserves ranking
126/177
2021
n/a
Net foreign direct investment
-$1.44B
2024
-$4.72B
2023
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$1.44B
2024
$2.02B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$3.9M
2024
$48.1M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
3.82%
2024
10.8%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
31.8%
2019
37.5%
2021
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
43.1%
2024
37.5%
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/senegal | CC BY

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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. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1996–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  4. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  5. TradeMap (2021–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  6. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1994–1995, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  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.