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Economy of Mauritania vs South Sudan compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Mauritania has a GDP of $11.7B compared to $12B for South Sudan, ranking 153/197 and 151/197 by economy size, respectively.

Mauritania has $4.68B in government debt (40.1% of GDP), compared to $6.98B (62.1% of GDP) in South Sudan.

Mauritania vs South Sudan GDP by year

Mauritania
South Sudan
1x
Year GDP, current $
Mauritania South Sudan
2025 $11,679,910,946 -
2024 $10,879,212,033 -
2023 $10,687,541,640 -
2022 $9,562,497,461 -
2021 $9,221,044,667 -
2020 $8,260,567,357 -
2019 $7,894,764,886 -
2018 $7,475,471,310 -
2017 $6,812,472,965 -
2016 $6,407,900,701 -
2015 $6,182,303,677 $11,997,800,760
2014 $6,615,483,550 $13,962,212,847
2013 $7,230,646,063 $18,426,469,017
2012 $6,728,208,836 $11,931,472,169
2011 $6,764,627,746 $14,907,308,933
2010 $5,628,878,798 $14,602,072,411
2009 $4,714,595,548 $12,231,264,525
2008 $5,206,437,194 $14,586,253,383
2007 $4,346,212,355 -
2006 $3,919,577,286 -
2005 $2,936,019,526 -
2004 $2,362,501,023 -
2003 $2,051,147,607 -
2002 $1,777,057,481 -
2001 $1,746,063,558 -
2000 $1,779,520,886 -
1999 $1,985,922,776 -
1998 $2,032,347,665 -
1997 $2,071,996,564 -
1996 $2,132,087,009 -
1995 $2,091,726,101 -
1994 $1,944,876,755 -
1993 $1,847,353,211 -
1992 $2,164,298,425 -
1991 $2,133,692,697 -
1990 $1,506,914,408 -
1989 $1,450,647,019 -
1988 $1,414,951,290 -
1987 $1,344,664,725 -
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 (1961–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/mauritania/south-sudan | CC BY

GDP per capita in Mauritania vs South Sudan by year

Mauritania
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
South Sudan
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Mauritania South Sudan
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $2,198 - - -
2024 $2,105 $7,369 - -
2023 $2,128 $6,966 - -
2022 $1,961 $6,485 - -
2021 $1,947 $5,837 - -
2020 $1,796 $5,741 - -
2019 $1,767 $5,610 - -
2018 $1,723 $5,429 - -
2017 $1,618 $5,353 - -
2016 $1,568 $4,683 - -
2015 $1,559 $3,978 $1,080 $1,155
2014 $1,719 $3,865 $1,243 $1,373
2013 $1,936 $3,831 $1,650 $1,917
2012 $1,859 $3,465 $1,109 $1,417
2011 $1,931 $3,271 $1,449 $2,718
2010 $1,660 $3,178 $1,498 $2,948
2009 $1,435 $3,159 $1,323 $2,911
2008 $1,636 $3,236 $1,654 $2,887
2007 $1,405 $3,278 - -
2006 $1,301 $3,342 - -
2005 $999 $2,809 - -
2004 $824 $2,570 - -
2003 $732 $2,447 - -
2002 $649 $2,296 - -
2001 $652 $2,280 - -
2000 $681 $2,304 - -
1999 $781 $2,411 - -
1998 $821 $2,355 - -
1997 $859 $2,325 - -
1996 $904 $2,436 - -
1995 $905 $2,306 - -
1994 $865 $2,114 - -
1993 $850 $2,209 - -
1992 $1,036 $2,122 - -
1991 $1,062 $2,116 - -
1990 $772 $2,070 - -
1989 $762 - - -
1988 $762 - - -
1987 $746 - - -
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 (1961–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/mauritania/south-sudan | CC BY

Mauritania's GDP per capita is $2,198, ranking 156/197, compared to $1,080 in South Sudan, ranking 180/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Mauritania ranks 147th at $7,369, while South Sudan ranks 197th at $1,155.

Economic indicators

Mauritania South Sudan
Gross domestic product
$11.7B
2025
$12B
2015
GDP rank
153/197
2025
151/197
2015
GDP growth
4.03%
2024-2025
-10.8%
2014-2015
GDP per capita
$2,198
2025
$1,080
2015
GDP per capita rank
156/197
2025
180/197
2015
GDP per capita, PPP
$7,369
2024
$1,155
2015
GDP per capita PPP rank
147/197
2024
197/197
2015
Government debt
$4.68B
2025
$6.98B
2015
Debt-to-GDP ratio
40.1%
2025
62.1%
2025
Government debt per person
$881
2025
$628
2015
Government debt per person rank
147/185
2025
160/185
2015
Average annual personal income after taxes
$2,242
2026
$1,514
2026
Income share by richest 10%
24.6%
2019
33%
2016
Income share by poorest 10%
3.1%
2019
1.8%
2016
Government expenditure, % of GDP
23.4%
2025
18.4%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
1.55%
2024-2025
91.4%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate n/a
13%
2025
Unemployment rate
10.4%
2019
12.3%
2008
Population
5539189
12565048

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Mauritania
Spending

Debt
South Sudan
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Mauritania South Sudan
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 23.4% 40.1% 18.4% 62.1%
2024 23.6% 45.1% 18.9% 53.4%
2023 24.8% 48.6% 21.3% 62%
2022 28.7% 50.3% 29.5% 42.1%
2021 20.8% 54.5% 44.1% 56.4%
2020 18.5% 56.5% 34.1% 48.3%
2019 17.8% 57.7% 47.9% 43.4%
2018 19% 59.2% 59.2% 84.3%
2017 20.3% 55.7% 42.2% 77.5%
2016 20.8% 57.6% 52% 128.9%
2015 25.7% 59.9% 33.7% 58.2%
2014 23.9% 49.5% 37.6% 39.6%
2013 20.1% 40.7% 25.3% 17.6%
2012 21.5% 39.3% 31.6% 8.91%
2011 17% 38.8% 20.8% 0%
2010 17.3% 43.9% - -
2009 19.6% 54.3% - -
2008 19.8% 57.2% - -
2007 19.7% 61.5% - -
2006 19% 38% - -
2005 21.3% 71.1% - -
2004 23.9% 22% - -
2003 - 22.9% - -
2002 - 59.5% - -
2001 - 63.5% - -
2000 - 55.5% - -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (2000–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/mauritania/south-sudan | CC BY

In 2025, Mauritania's government spending was $2.73B, accounting for 23.4% of its GDP, while South Sudan spent $4.04B, or 18.4% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 40.1% in Mauritania and 62.1% in South Sudan, ranking 134/185 and 71/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Mauritania

South Sudan
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Mauritania South Sudan
2025 -0.3% 3.45%
2024 -1.35% 11.5%
2023 -2.45% 9.12%
2022 -3.09% 4.43%
2021 2.6% -9.3%
2020 2.78% -5.5%
2019 2.65% 0.04%
2018 3.23% -1.15%
2017 0.53% 4.16%
2016 0.13% -15.5%
2015 -2.44% -16.3%
2014 -2.64% -9.53%
2013 -0.66% -3.45%
2012 1.67% -14.8%
2011 0.07% 4.57%
2010 -0.45% -
2009 -3.59% -
2008 -3.32% -
2007 -1.38% -
2006 2.05% -
2005 -3.16% -
2004 -3.06% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (2004–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/mauritania/south-sudan | CC BY

In 2015, Mauritania's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $151M, equivalent to 2.44% of GDP. This compares to South Sudan's deficit of $1.95B, or 16.3% of GDP.

Over the past 5 years, Mauritania recorded a fiscal deficit in 3 of those years, while South Sudan ran a deficit in 4 years. On average, Mauritania posted an annual deficit equal to 0.8% of GDP, compared to deficit of 7.9% of GDP for South Sudan.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Mauritania

South Sudan
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Mauritania South Sudan
2025 1.55% -
2024 2.49% 91.4%
2023 4.95% 2.38%
2022 9.53% -6.69%
2021 3.57% 10.5%
2020 2.39% 29.7%
2019 2.3% 87.2%
2018 3.07% 83.5%
2017 2.25% 187.9%
2016 1.47% 380%
2015 3.25% 52.8%
2014 3.53% 1.67%
2013 4.13% -0.06%
2012 4.9% 45.5%
2011 5.69% 46.9%
2010 6.28% 1.17%
2009 2.22% 5.01%
2008 7.35% -
2007 7.25% -
2006 6.24% -
2005 12.1% -
2004 10.4% -
2003 5.15% -
2002 3.9% -
2001 4.71% -
2000 3.25% -
1999 4.07% -
1998 8.03% -
1997 4.63% -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/mauritania/south-sudan | CC BY

Over the past 16 years, Mauritania has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 3.88%, compared with 63.7% in South Sudan. In 2024, inflation was 1.55% in Mauritania and 91.4% in South Sudan.

Balance of trade

Mauritania South Sudan
Current account balance
-$1.04B
2024
$578M
2023
Current account balance ranking
118/190
2024
56/190
2023
Current account balance, % of GDP
-9.55%
2024
-4.17%
2015
Goods imports
$4.32B
2024
$2.25B
2023
Goods exports
$3.83B
2024
$4.01B
2023
Service imports
$1.05B
2024
$2.19B
2023
Service exports
$230M
2024
$484M
2023
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
54.2%
2025
28.9%
2015
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
39.9%
2025
36.7%
2015

Economic freedom indices

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

Mauritania South Sudan
Economic freedom 53.9 41
Economic freedom ranking 136/197 186/197
Property rights 32.6 n/a
Government integrity 24.5 n/a
Judicial effectiveness 26.4 n/a
Tax burden 75.5 n/a
Government spending 80.2 n/a
Fiscal health 87.9 n/a
Business freedom 38.7 n/a
Labor freedom 53.6 n/a
Monetary freedom 77.8 n/a
Trade freedom 59.6 n/a
Investment freedom 50 n/a
Financial freedom 40 n/a

Other economic metrics

Mauritania South Sudan
Services, % of GDP
42.4%
2025
56.6%
2015
Industry, % of GDP
29.7%
2025
33.1%
2015
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
20%
2025
10.4%
2015
GNI, Atlas method
$11.8B
2025
$11.7B
2015
GNI per capita, PPP
$7,640
2025
$1,010
2015
Total reserves including gold
$2.04B
2021
$16M
2024
Total reserves ranking
127/177
2021
177/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$1.44B
2024
$2.21M
2019
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$1.44B
2024
$83.4M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$3.9M
2024
$0
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
3.83%
2024
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
31.8%
2019
66%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
44.3%
2025
5.75%
2015

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/south-sudan | 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 (2000–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  3. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  4. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  5. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  6. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  7. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2020, 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.