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Economy of Mauritania vs Switzerland compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Mauritania has a GDP of $10.9B compared to $937B for Switzerland, ranking 153/197 and 20/197 by economy size, respectively.

Mauritania has $4.67B in government debt (42.8% of GDP), compared to $351B (37.5% of GDP) in Switzerland.

Mauritania vs Switzerland GDP by year

Mauritania
Switzerland
1x
Year GDP, current $
Mauritania Switzerland
2024 $10,908,045,687 $936,564,198,049
2023 $10,726,838,461 $894,424,821,645
2022 $9,557,966,698 $828,508,926,958
2021 $9,222,536,364 $815,309,330,987
2020 $8,260,752,385 $741,999,406,006
2019 $7,894,764,886 $721,369,112,727
2018 $7,473,550,557 $725,568,717,468
2017 $6,800,135,898 $695,200,833,086
2016 $6,398,747,592 $687,895,460,903
2015 $6,166,863,897 $694,118,186,380
2014 $6,592,537,782 $726,537,808,338
2013 $7,223,071,097 $706,234,937,371
2012 $6,728,208,836 $686,420,221,558
2011 $6,764,627,746 $715,888,126,682
2010 $5,628,878,798 $598,851,028,907
2009 $4,714,595,548 $554,212,916,092
2008 $5,206,437,194 $567,267,767,519
2007 $4,346,212,355 $490,740,715,595
2006 $3,919,577,286 $441,634,672,197
2005 $2,936,019,526 $418,284,865,885
2004 $2,362,501,023 $403,912,891,033
2003 $2,051,147,607 $362,075,086,508
2002 $1,777,057,481 $309,301,422,430
2001 $1,746,063,558 $286,582,672,434
2000 $1,779,520,886 $279,216,033,870
1999 $1,985,922,776 $297,873,643,323
1998 $2,032,347,665 $303,459,014,347
1997 $2,071,996,564 $294,788,198,856
1996 $2,132,087,009 $340,103,959,547
1995 $2,091,726,101 $352,835,806,342
1994 $1,944,876,755 $301,375,055,202
1993 $1,847,353,211 $272,237,527,071
1992 $2,164,298,425 $279,921,425,828
1991 $2,133,692,697 $268,901,693,863
1990 $1,506,914,408 $265,763,573,999
1989 $1,450,647,019 $208,105,846,934
1988 $1,414,951,290 $215,540,625,299
1987 $1,344,664,725 $199,236,370,038
1986 $1,186,628,778 $159,089,921,063
1985 $1,009,723,326 $110,980,314,192
1984 $1,074,373,230 $109,455,312,168
1983 $1,165,171,263 $114,634,358,535
1982 $1,108,776,653 $115,043,365,512
1981 $1,105,494,682 $112,244,805,519
1980 $1,047,925,106 $122,557,843,886
1979 $951,900,945 $114,970,094,425
1978 $804,629,877 $102,280,472,036
1977 $799,030,017 $73,135,771,167
1976 $775,045,517 $68,476,524,644
1975 $703,377,837 $65,466,081,819
1974 $613,010,553 $57,103,011,446
1973 $493,237,876 $49,550,006,320
1972 $391,669,449 $36,844,318,854
1971 $335,568,907 $30,040,171,751
1970 $309,405,316 $24,998,066,773
1969 $295,062,308 $22,442,043,274
1968 $311,395,937 $20,712,102,794
1967 $282,615,310 $19,397,044,714
1966 $266,533,605 $18,019,402,374
1965 $255,340,475 $16,780,226,225
1964 $224,495,744 $15,833,133,858
1963 $168,186,297 $14,283,872,299
1962 $164,271,558 $12,989,649,694
1961 $159,213,430 $11,713,348,834
1960 - $10,412,232,621

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

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

GDP per capita in Mauritania vs Switzerland by year

Mauritania
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Switzerland
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Mauritania Switzerland
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $2,110 $7,369 $103,998 $96,498
2023 $2,136 $6,966 $100,624 $95,142
2022 $1,960 $6,485 $94,395 $94,421
2021 $1,948 $5,837 $93,665 $81,001
2020 $1,796 $5,741 $85,898 $72,998
2019 $1,767 $5,610 $84,122 $73,732
2018 $1,723 $5,429 $85,217 $70,689
2017 $1,615 $5,353 $82,254 $68,194
2016 $1,566 $4,683 $82,153 $67,351
2015 $1,555 $3,978 $83,806 $65,265
2014 $1,713 $3,865 $88,725 $63,417
2013 $1,934 $3,831 $87,304 $61,656
2012 $1,859 $3,465 $85,836 $59,441
2011 $1,931 $3,271 $90,477 $57,494
2010 $1,660 $3,178 $76,531 $54,426
2009 $1,435 $3,159 $71,568 $52,999
2008 $1,636 $3,236 $74,175 $53,809
2007 $1,405 $3,278 $64,989 $50,928
2006 $1,301 $3,342 $59,011 $46,266
2005 $999 $2,809 $56,243 $41,525
2004 $824 $2,570 $54,659 $40,171
2003 $732 $2,447 $49,336 $38,732
2002 $649 $2,296 $42,459 $38,705
2001 $652 $2,280 $39,639 $37,819
2000 $681 $2,304 $38,865 $36,703
1999 $781 $2,411 $41,696 $34,743
1998 $821 $2,355 $42,681 $33,860
1997 $859 $2,325 $41,584 $32,736
1996 $904 $2,436 $48,093 $31,509
1995 $905 $2,306 $50,114 $30,842
1994 $865 $2,114 $43,092 $30,265
1993 $850 $2,209 $39,237 $29,495
1992 $1,036 $2,122 $40,714 $29,113
1991 $1,062 $2,116 $39,544 $28,792
1990 $772 $2,070 $39,575 $28,461
1989 $762 - $31,309 -
1988 $762 - $32,690 -
1987 $746 - $30,441 -
1986 $677 - $24,460 -
1985 $593 - $17,152 -
1984 $650 - $16,991 -
1983 $725 - $17,859 -
1982 $710 - $18,000 -
1981 $729 - $17,665 -
1980 $711 - $19,394 -
1979 $664 - $18,266 -
1978 $578 - $16,282 -
1977 $590 - $11,644 -
1976 $589 - $10,865 -
1975 $551 - $10,328 -
1974 $494 - $9,005 -
1973 $410 - $7,856 -
1972 $335 - $5,885 -
1971 $296 - $4,835 -
1970 $281.3 - $4,044 -
1969 $276.6 - $3,657 -
1968 $301 - $3,413 -
1967 $281.5 - $3,237 -
1966 $273.6 - $3,045 -
1965 $270 - $2,865 -
1964 $244.3 - $2,735 -
1963 $188.2 - $2,508 -
1962 $189 - $2,330 -
1961 $188.2 - $2,155 -
1960 - - $1,954 -

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

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

Mauritania's GDP per capita is $2,110, ranking 156/197, compared to $103,998 in Switzerland, ranking 5/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Mauritania ranks 147th at $7,369, while Switzerland ranks 8th at $96,498.

Economic indicators

Mauritania Switzerland
Gross domestic product
$10.9B
2024
$937B
2024
GDP rank
153/197
2024
20/197
2024
GDP growth
6.31%
2023-2024
1.3%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$2,110
2024
$103,998
2024
GDP per capita rank
156/197
2024
5/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$7,369
2024
$96,498
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
147/197
2024
8/197
2024
Government debt
$4.67B
2024
$351B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
42.8%
2024
37.5%
2024
Government debt per person
$904
2024
$39,021
2024
Government debt per person rank
145/185
2024
15/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$2,078
2026
$85,867
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$1.97T
2024
Number of millionaires n/a
1,119,000
2025
Number of billionaires n/a
42
2025
Income share by richest 10%
24.6%
2019
26.6%
2022
Income share by poorest 10%
3.1%
2019
2.9%
2022
Government expenditure, % of GDP
23.6%
2024
31.9%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
2.49%
2023-2024
1.06%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate n/a
0%
2025
Unemployment rate
10.4%
2019
4.34%
2024
Population
5505206
9107866

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Mauritania
Spending

Debt
Switzerland
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Mauritania Switzerland
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 23.6% 42.8% 31.9% 37.5%
2023 24.8% 47.1% 32.1% 38.7%
2022 28.7% 50.5% 31.6% 37.2%
2021 20.8% 54.5% 34.4% 41%
2020 18.5% 56.5% 37% 43.2%
2019 17.8% 57.7% 32% 39.6%
2018 19% 59.2% 31.7% 39.8%
2017 20.3% 55.7% 32.4% 41.8%
2016 20.8% 57.6% 32.4% 40.9%
2015 25.7% 59.9% 32.5% 42.2%
2014 23.9% 49.5% 32.2% 42.1%
2013 20.1% 40.7% 32.5% 41.9%
2012 21.5% 39.3% 31.7% 42.6%
2011 17% 38.8% 31.4% 41.9%
2010 17.3% 43.9% 31.4% 41.5%
2009 19.6% 54.3% 31.8% 43.1%
2008 19.8% 57.2% 30% 44.8%
2007 19.7% 61.5% 29.4% 44.8%
2006 19% 38% 30.5% 48.5%
2005 21.3% 71.1% 32.4% 54.9%
2004 23.9% 22% 33.1% 57.8%
2003 - 22.9% 33.2% 56.9%
2002 - 59.5% 34.1% 57.7%
2001 - 63.5% 31.6% 51.1%
2000 - 55.5% 32.2% 52.2%
1999 - - 33.2% 52.7%
1998 - - 32.7% 55.9%
1997 - - 32.9% 53.7%
1996 - - 33% 51.3%
1995 - - 32.4% 50%
1994 - - 32.5% 47.1%
1993 - - 32.5% 44.4%
1992 - - 31.3% 39.5%
1991 - - 29.5% 35.1%
1990 - - 27.6% 33.3%
1989 - - 30% 32.5%
1988 - - 30.3% 35%
1987 - - 29.8% 36.5%
1986 - - 29.8% 37.6%
1985 - - 30.1% 39.1%
1984 - - 30.4% 39.8%
1983 - - 31.2% 40.2%
1982 - - 30.5% 40%
1981 - - 29.4% 40.8%
1980 - - 29.9% 43.9%
1979 - - 30.5% 44.6%
1978 - - 30.4% 46.6%
1977 - - 31% 46.9%
1976 - - 31.6% 46.7%
1975 - - 29.3% 42.3%
1974 - - 27.5% 38.4%
1973 - - 26.5% 37%
1972 - - 25.7% 38%
1971 - - 25.4% 38.7%
1970 - - 25.8% 38.9%
1969 - - 9.45% 7.08%
1968 - - 8.87% 6.99%
1967 - - 8.68% 7.26%
1966 - - 8.95% 7.62%
1965 - - 8.33% 8.28%
1964 - - 8.85% 9.43%
1963 - - 8.2% 10.8%
1962 - - 8.1% 12%
1961 - - 7.97% 14%
1960 - - 7.11% 16.2%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Mauritania's government spending was $2.57B, accounting for 23.6% of its GDP, while Switzerland spent $299B, or 31.9% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 42.8% in Mauritania and 37.5% in Switzerland, ranking 126/185 and 141/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Mauritania

Switzerland
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Mauritania Switzerland
2024 -1.35% 0.58%
2023 -2.45% 0.12%
2022 -3.09% 1.19%
2021 2.6% -0.29%
2020 2.78% -3.01%
2019 2.65% 1.34%
2018 3.23% 1.29%
2017 0.53% 1.13%
2016 0.13% 0.24%
2015 -2.44% 0.55%
2014 -2.64% -0.25%
2013 -0.66% -0.43%
2012 1.67% 0.24%
2011 0.07% 0.68%
2010 -0.45% 0.35%
2009 -3.59% 0.5%
2008 -3.32% 1.93%
2007 -1.38% 1.57%
2006 2.05% 0.85%
2005 -3.16% -0.65%
2004 -3.06% -1.39%
2003 - -1.36%
2002 - -1.75%
2001 - 0.21%
2000 - 0.28%
1999 - -1.57%
1998 - -1.31%
1997 - -2.33%
1996 - -2.01%
1995 - -1.86%
1994 - -2.59%
1993 - -3.15%
1992 - -2.96%
1991 - -1.85%
1990 - -0.05%
1989 - 0.2%
1988 - 0.42%
1987 - 0.78%
1986 - 0.93%
1985 - -0.25%
1984 - -0.52%
1983 - -1.23%
1982 - -1.21%
1981 - -0.54%
1980 - -1.34%
1979 - -1.79%
1978 - -1.12%
1977 - -1.64%
1976 - -1.89%
1975 - -0.93%
1974 - -1.01%
1973 - -0.93%
1972 - -1.39%
1971 - -1.41%
1970 - -1.44%
1969 - -0.98%
1968 - -0.73%
1967 - -1.07%
1966 - -0.87%
1965 - 0.05%
1964 - 0.77%
1963 - 0.25%
1962 - 0.95%
1961 - 0.34%
1960 - 1.95%
1959 - 0.72%
1958 - 0.59%
1957 - 0.66%
1956 - 2.24%
1955 - 1.1%
1954 - 1.44%
1953 - 0.38%
1952 - -1.17%
1951 - -0.36%
1950 - 1.49%
1949 - 0.04%
1948 - 1.37%
1947 - 1.27%
1946 - 0.52%
1945 - -7.57%
1944 - -9.37%
1943 - -8.55%
1942 - -7.28%
1941 - -8.78%
1940 - -10%
1939 - -5.05%
1938 - -1.53%
1937 - -0.17%
1936 - -0.33%
1935 - -0.23%
1934 - -0.33%
1933 - -0.88%
1932 - -0.3%
1931 - 0.03%
1930 - 0.07%
1929 - 0.22%
1928 - -
1927 - -
1926 - -
1925 - -
1924 - -
1923 - -
1922 - -
1921 - -
1920 - -
1919 - -
1918 - -
1917 - -
1916 - -
1915 - -
1914 - -
1913 - -0.12%
1912 - 0.03%
1911 - -0.006%
1910 - -0.14%
1909 - -0.78%
1908 - -0.1%
1907 - -0.02%
1906 - 0.15%
1905 - 0.41%
1904 - 0.002%
1903 - 0.09%
1902 - 0.02%
1901 - -0.14%
1900 - -0.07%
1899 - 0.1%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1899–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/mauritania/switzerland | 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 Switzerland's surplus of $5.4B, or 0.58% of GDP.

Over the past 21 years, Mauritania recorded a fiscal deficit in 12 of those years, while Switzerland ran a deficit in 6 years. On average, Mauritania posted an annual deficit equal to 0.57% of GDP, compared to surplus of 0.31% of GDP for Switzerland.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Mauritania

Switzerland
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Mauritania Switzerland
2024 2.49% 1.06%
2023 4.95% 2.14%
2022 9.53% 2.84%
2021 3.57% 0.58%
2020 2.39% -0.73%
2019 2.3% 0.36%
2018 3.07% 0.94%
2017 2.25% 0.53%
2016 1.47% -0.43%
2015 3.25% -1.14%
2014 3.53% -0.01%
2013 4.13% -0.22%
2012 4.9% -0.69%
2011 5.69% 0.23%
2010 6.28% 0.69%
2009 2.22% -0.48%
2008 7.35% 2.43%
2007 7.25% 0.73%
2006 6.24% 1.06%
2005 12.1% 1.17%
2004 10.4% 0.8%
2003 5.15% 0.64%
2002 3.9% 0.64%
2001 4.71% 0.99%
2000 3.25% 1.56%
1999 4.07% 0.81%
1998 8.03% 0.02%
1997 4.63% 0.52%

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

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

Over the past 28 years, Mauritania has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 4.97%, compared with 0.61% in Switzerland. In 2024, inflation was 2.49% in Mauritania and 1.06% in Switzerland.

Top exports between countries

Mauritania
Export category Export value
Precious metals & jewellery $371M
Raw materials & minerals $5.93M
Textiles & consumer goods $1.18M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $475K
Machinery & equipment $71K
Switzerland
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $4.62M
Chemicals & pharma $3.78M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $2.06M
Metals $80K
Raw materials & minerals $75K
Textiles & consumer goods $72K
Precious metals & jewellery $17K
Wood & paper products $13K
Miscellaneous $10K

Balance of trade

Mauritania Switzerland
Current account balance
-$1.04B
2024
$72B
2024
Current account balance ranking
124/190
2024
10/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-9.53%
2024
+7.69%
2024
Goods imports
$4.32B
2024
$371B
2024
Goods exports
$3.83B
2024
$502B
2024
Service imports
$1.05B
2024
$203B
2024
Service exports
$230M
2024
$186B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
52.2%
2024
61.9%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
41.4%
2024
72.2%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Mauritania Switzerland
Economic freedom 53.9 83.7
Economic freedom ranking 136/197 2/197
Property rights 32.6 94.4
Government integrity 24.5 93.3
Judicial effectiveness 26.4 98.3
Tax burden 75.5 70.9
Government spending 80.2 69.5
Fiscal health 87.9 97.2
Business freedom 38.7 86.3
Labor freedom 53.6 60
Monetary freedom 77.8 82.3
Trade freedom 59.6 87
Investment freedom 50 85
Financial freedom 40 80

Economic freedom comparison by year

Mauritania
Switzerland
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Mauritania Switzerland
2026 53.9 83.7
2025 54.9 83.7
2024 55.3 83
2023 55.3 83.8
2022 55.3 84.2
2021 56.1 81.9
2020 55.3 82
2019 55.7 81.9
2018 54 81.7
2017 54.4 81.5
2016 54.8 81
2015 53.3 80.5
2014 53.2 81.6
2013 52.3 81
2012 53 81.1
2011 52.1 81.9
2010 52 81.1
2009 53.9 79.4
2008 55.2 79.5
2007 53.6 78
2006 55.7 78.9
2005 59.4 79.3
2004 61.8 79.5
2003 59 79
2002 52.5 79.3
2001 48.5 76
2000 46 76.8
1999 42.8 79.1
1998 43.7 79
1997 47 78.6
1996 45.5 76.8

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Mauritania is 53.9, ranking 136/197, compared to 83.7 for Switzerland, ranking 2/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Mauritania Switzerland
Services, % of GDP
42.4%
2024
72%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
30.5%
2024
24.7%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
19.3%
2024
0.63%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$11B
2024
$857B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$7,300
2024
$93,420
2024
Total reserves including gold
$2.04B
2021
$909B
2024
Total reserves ranking
126/177
2021
4/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$1.44B
2024
$59.7B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$1.44B
2024
-$108B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$3.9M
2024
-$27.9B
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
3.82%
2024
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
31.8%
2019
15.8%
2021
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
43.1%
2024
27%
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/switzerland | 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. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1899–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  4. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1996–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  5. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  6. TradeMap (2020–2024, 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.