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Economy of Mauritania vs Sudan compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Mauritania has a GDP of $10.9B compared to $49.7B for Sudan, ranking 153/197 and 94/197 by economy size, respectively.

Mauritania has $4.67B in government debt (42.8% of GDP), compared to $130B (261.4% of GDP) in Sudan.

Mauritania vs Sudan GDP by year

Mauritania
Sudan
1x
Year GDP, current $
Mauritania Sudan
2024 $10,908,045,687 $49,672,435,513
2023 $10,726,838,461 $39,898,289,821
2022 $9,557,966,698 $51,666,875,363
2021 $9,222,536,364 $34,229,513,775
2020 $8,260,752,385 $27,034,593,750
2019 $7,894,764,886 $32,338,079,165
2018 $7,473,550,557 $32,333,780,383
2017 $6,800,135,898 $41,283,617,976
2016 $6,398,747,592 $42,630,376,000
2015 $6,166,863,897 $51,726,758,677
2014 $6,592,537,782 $49,516,748,618
2013 $7,223,071,097 $43,024,018,082
2012 $6,728,208,836 $37,632,919,967
2011 $6,764,627,746 $55,018,567,211
2010 $5,628,878,798 $58,962,978,034
2009 $4,714,595,548 $51,621,044,077
2008 $5,206,437,194 $64,833,083,257
2007 $4,346,212,355 $59,440,139,775
2006 $3,919,577,286 $45,263,831,634
2005 $2,936,019,526 $35,182,711,988
2004 $2,362,501,023 $26,646,007,251
2003 $2,051,147,607 $21,355,298,460
2002 $1,777,057,481 $18,137,128,388
2001 $1,746,063,558 $15,716,361,792
2000 $1,779,520,886 $12,257,299,147
1999 $1,985,922,776 $10,682,028,340
1998 $2,032,347,665 $11,250,221,537
1997 $2,071,996,564 $11,681,175,864
1996 $2,132,087,009 $9,018,300,725
1995 $2,091,726,101 $13,830,363,900
1994 $1,944,876,755 $12,793,794,737
1993 $1,847,353,211 $8,881,005,436
1992 $2,164,298,425 $7,031,933,492
1991 $2,133,692,697 $44,171,194,366
1990 $1,506,914,408 $33,641,222,222
1989 $1,450,647,019 $21,408,111,111
1988 $1,414,951,290 $14,372,555,556
1987 $1,344,664,725 $12,093,333,333
1986 $1,186,628,778 $10,092,200,000
1985 $1,009,723,326 $8,075,259,600
1984 $1,074,373,230 $10,447,615,385
1983 $1,165,171,263 $8,230,153,846
1982 $1,108,776,653 $8,732,542,274
1981 $1,105,494,682 $10,753,888,154
1980 $1,047,925,106 $8,951,800,000
1979 $951,900,945 $8,418,407,787
1978 $804,629,877 $8,128,719,315
1977 $799,030,017 $7,499,005,639
1976 $775,045,517 $6,013,210,816
1975 $703,377,837 $4,823,090,192
1974 $613,010,553 $3,958,931,660
1973 $493,237,876 $3,077,254,460
1972 $391,669,449 $2,483,055,722
1971 $335,568,907 $2,288,340,041
1970 $309,405,316 $2,100,229,759
1969 $295,062,308 $1,847,501,441
1968 $311,395,937 $1,677,771,401
1967 $282,615,310 $1,607,409,539
1966 $266,533,605 $1,484,491,676
1965 $255,340,475 $1,446,869,619
1964 $224,495,744 $1,388,282,600
1963 $168,186,297 $1,351,234,926
1962 $164,271,558 $1,328,259,625
1961 $159,213,430 $1,222,860,429
1960 - $1,126,364,162

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

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

GDP per capita in Mauritania vs Sudan by year

Mauritania
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Sudan
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Mauritania Sudan
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $2,110 $7,369 $985 $2,116
2023 $2,136 $6,966 $797 $2,421
2022 $1,960 $6,485 $1,046 $3,355
2021 $1,948 $5,837 $712 $3,249
2020 $1,796 $5,741 $578 $3,349
2019 $1,767 $5,610 $710 $3,914
2018 $1,723 $5,429 $731 $4,199
2017 $1,615 $5,353 $967 $4,252
2016 $1,566 $4,683 $1,033 $4,470
2015 $1,555 $3,978 $1,292 $4,217
2014 $1,713 $3,865 $1,275 $4,261
2013 $1,934 $3,831 $1,139 $3,725
2012 $1,859 $3,465 $1,019 $3,710
2011 $1,931 $3,271 $1,522 $4,112
2010 $1,660 $3,178 $1,665 $3,806
2009 $1,435 $3,159 $1,493 $3,732
2008 $1,636 $3,236 $1,928 $3,938
2007 $1,405 $3,278 $1,814 $3,836
2006 $1,301 $3,342 $1,415 $3,637
2005 $999 $2,809 $1,125 $3,407
2004 $824 $2,570 $872 $3,215
2003 $732 $2,447 $714 $3,058
2002 $649 $2,296 $621 $2,898
2001 $652 $2,280 $551 $2,769
2000 $681 $2,304 $441 $2,616
1999 $781 $2,411 $394 $2,475
1998 $821 $2,355 $425 $2,428
1997 $859 $2,325 $453 $2,358
1996 $904 $2,436 $357 $2,006
1995 $905 $2,306 $561 $1,902
1994 $865 $2,114 $532 $1,805
1993 $850 $2,209 $379 $1,794
1992 $1,036 $2,122 $307 $1,710
1991 $1,062 $2,116 $1,966 $1,599
1990 $772 $2,070 $1,528 $1,468
1989 $762 - $992 -
1988 $762 - $680 -
1987 $746 - $584 -
1986 $677 - $497 -
1985 $593 - $406 -
1984 $650 - $534 -
1983 $725 - $431 -
1982 $710 - $472 -
1981 $729 - $605 -
1980 $711 - $525 -
1979 $664 - $515 -
1978 $578 - $518 -
1977 $590 - $497 -
1976 $589 - $413 -
1975 $551 - $343 -
1974 $494 - $291.5 -
1973 $410 - $235.8 -
1972 $335 - $198.2 -
1971 $296 - $189 -
1970 $281.3 - $179.6 -
1969 $276.6 - $163.5 -
1968 $301 - $153.7 -
1967 $281.5 - $152.4 -
1966 $273.6 - $145.6 -
1965 $270 - $146.8 -
1964 $244.3 - $145.7 -
1963 $188.2 - $146.6 -
1962 $189 - $148.9 -
1961 $188.2 - $141.6 -
1960 - - $134.7 -

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

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

Mauritania's GDP per capita is $2,110, ranking 156/197, compared to $985 in Sudan, ranking 179/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Mauritania ranks 147th at $7,369, while Sudan ranks 185th at $2,116.

Economic indicators

Mauritania Sudan
Gross domestic product
$10.9B
2024
$49.7B
2024
GDP rank
153/197
2024
94/197
2024
GDP growth
6.31%
2023-2024
-14%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$2,110
2024
$985
2024
GDP per capita rank
156/197
2024
179/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$7,369
2024
$2,116
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
147/197
2024
185/197
2024
Government debt
$4.67B
2024
$130B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
42.8%
2024
261.4%
2024
Government debt per person
$904
2024
$2,574
2024
Government debt per person rank
145/185
2024
109/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$2,078
2026
$1,704
2026
Income share by richest 10%
24.6%
2019
27.8%
2014
Income share by poorest 10%
3.1%
2019
3.2%
2014
Government expenditure, % of GDP
23.6%
2024
6.39%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
2.49%
2023-2024
138.8%
2021-2022
Unemployment rate
10.4%
2019
7.53%
2022
Population
5505206
53335233

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Mauritania
Spending

Debt
Sudan
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Mauritania Sudan
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 23.6% 42.8% 6.39% 261.4%
2023 24.8% 47.1% 8.23% 259.9%
2022 28.7% 50.5% 17.9% 186.9%
2021 20.8% 54.5% 9.84% 189.6%
2020 18.5% 56.5% 10.9% 278.3%
2019 17.8% 57.7% 18.7% 216.5%
2018 19% 59.2% 16.8% 209.8%
2017 20.3% 55.7% 12.8% 149.5%
2016 20.8% 57.6% 9.98% 109.9%
2015 25.7% 59.9% 12.4% 93.2%
2014 23.9% 49.5% 13.5% 84.4%
2013 20.1% 40.7% 15.3% 105.8%
2012 21.5% 39.3% 16.5% 117.7%
2011 17% 38.8% 18.2% 78.1%
2010 17.3% 43.9% 17.4% 74.6%
2009 19.6% 54.3% 18.8% 71%
2008 19.8% 57.2% 19.7% 55.8%
2007 19.7% 61.5% 19.6% 53.7%
2006 19% 38% 18.8% 63.7%
2005 21.3% 71.1% 19.7% 75.5%
2004 23.9% 22% 16.5% 97.8%
2003 - 22.9% 12.5% 117.4%
2002 - 59.5% 10.5% 121.7%
2001 - 63.5% 9.87% 125.6%
2000 - 55.5% 10.4% 143.2%
1999 - - 8.4% 160.5%
1998 - - 7.79% 179.7%
1997 - - 7.38% 167.7%
1996 - - 9.31% 220.9%
1995 - - 12.9% 239%
1994 - - 19.6% 386%
1993 - - 23.7% 285.9%
1992 - - 50.4% 495%
1991 - - 45.7% -
1990 - - 31% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Mauritania's government spending was $2.57B, accounting for 23.6% of its GDP, while Sudan spent $3.17B, or 6.39% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 42.8% in Mauritania and 261.4% in Sudan, ranking 126/185 and 1/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Mauritania

Sudan
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Mauritania Sudan
2024 -1.35% -3.46%
2023 -2.45% -3.7%
2022 -3.09% -2.15%
2021 2.6% -0.29%
2020 2.78% -6.03%
2019 2.65% -10.8%
2018 3.23% -7.92%
2017 0.53% -6.07%
2016 0.13% -3.92%
2015 -2.44% -3.87%
2014 -2.64% -4.72%
2013 -0.66% -5.76%
2012 1.67% -7.37%
2011 0.07% -2.33%
2010 -0.45% 0.11%
2009 -3.59% -3.8%
2008 -3.32% 0.49%
2007 -1.38% -2.84%
2006 2.05% -1.32%
2005 -3.16% -1.88%
2004 -3.06% 0.16%
2003 - 0.77%
2002 - -0.69%
2001 - -0.77%
2000 - -0.7%
1999 - -0.8%
1998 - -0.56%
1997 - -0.59%
1996 - -2.61%
1995 - -3.48%
1994 - -3.03%
1993 - -8.04%
1992 - -24.5%
1991 - -26.5%
1990 - -16.2%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/mauritania/sudan | 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 Sudan's deficit of $1.72B, or 3.46% of GDP.

Over the past 21 years, Mauritania recorded a fiscal deficit in 12 of those years, while Sudan ran a deficit in 18 years. On average, Mauritania posted an annual deficit equal to 0.57% of GDP, compared to deficit of 3.69% of GDP for Sudan.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Mauritania

Sudan
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Mauritania Sudan
2024 2.49% -
2023 4.95% -
2022 9.53% 138.8%
2021 3.57% 359%
2020 2.39% 163.3%
2019 2.3% 51%
2018 3.07% 63.3%
2017 2.25% 32.4%
2016 1.47% 17.8%
2015 3.25% 16.9%
2014 3.53% 36.9%
2013 4.13% 36.5%
2012 4.9% 35.6%
2011 5.69% 18.1%
2010 6.28% 13%
2009 2.22% 11.3%
2008 7.35% 14.3%
2007 7.25% 14.8%
2006 6.24% 7.2%
2005 12.1% 8.51%
2004 10.4% 9.66%
2003 5.15% 6.49%
2002 3.9% 22.2%
2001 4.71% 1.94%
2000 3.25% 7.12%
1999 4.07% 17.2%
1998 8.03% 24.6%
1997 4.63% 47.2%

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

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

Over the past 26 years, Mauritania has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 5.06%, compared with 45.2% in Sudan. In 2022, inflation was 2.49% in Mauritania and 138.8% in Sudan.

Top exports between countries

Mauritania
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $85K
Textiles & consumer goods $1K
Sudan
Export category Export value

Balance of trade

Mauritania Sudan
Current account balance
-$1.04B
2024
-$4.44B
2022
Current account balance ranking
124/190
2024
165/190
2022
Current account balance, % of GDP
-9.53%
2024
-8.6%
2022
Goods imports
$4.32B
2024
$9.99B
2022
Goods exports
$3.83B
2024
$4.36B
2022
Service imports
$1.05B
2024
$1.59B
2022
Service exports
$230M
2024
$1.55B
2022
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
52.2%
2024
1.27%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
41.4%
2024
0.72%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Mauritania Sudan
Economic freedom 53.9 32.5
Economic freedom ranking 136/197 191/197
Property rights 32.6 6.5
Government integrity 24.5 13.8
Judicial effectiveness 26.4 2.4
Tax burden 75.5 84.7
Government spending 80.2 96.5
Fiscal health 87.9 64.6
Business freedom 38.7 27.3
Labor freedom 53.6 33.6
Monetary freedom 77.8 6.2
Trade freedom 59.6 29.6
Investment freedom 50 5
Financial freedom 40 20

Economic freedom comparison by year

Mauritania
Sudan
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Mauritania Sudan
2026 53.9 32.5
2025 54.9 35.3
2024 55.3 33.9
2023 55.3 32.8
2022 55.3 32
2021 56.1 39.1
2020 55.3 45
2019 55.7 47.7
2018 54 49.4
2017 54.4 48.8
2016 54.8 -
2015 53.3 -
2014 53.2 -
2013 52.3 -
2012 53 -
2011 52.1 -
2010 52 -
2009 53.9 -
2008 55.2 -
2007 53.6 -
2006 55.7 -
2005 59.4 -
2004 61.8 -
2003 59 -
2002 52.5 -
2001 48.5 -
2000 46 47.2
1999 42.8 39.6
1998 43.7 38.3
1997 47 39.9
1996 45.5 39.2
1995 - 39.4

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Mauritania is 53.9, ranking 136/197, compared to 32.5 for Sudan, ranking 191/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Mauritania Sudan
Services, % of GDP
42.4%
2024
54.7%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
30.5%
2024
23.2%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
19.3%
2024
22.2%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$11B
2024
$35.8B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$7,300
2024
$2,050
2024
Total reserves including gold
$2.04B
2021
$178M
2017
Total reserves ranking
126/177
2021
171/177
2017
Net foreign direct investment
-$1.44B
2024
-$574M
2022
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$1.44B
2024
$548M
2023
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$3.9M
2024
$0
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
3.82%
2024
0.42%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
31.8%
2019
46.5%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
43.1%
2024
2.89%
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/sudan | 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 (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  3. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  4. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  5. TradeMap (2022–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  6. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  7. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2025-10-14)
  8. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2020, retrieved 2026-02-20)

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.