Skip to content

Economy of Mauritania vs Tanzania compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Mauritania has a GDP of $10.9B compared to $78.8B for Tanzania, ranking 153/197 and 82/197 by economy size, respectively.

Mauritania has $4.67B in government debt (42.8% of GDP), compared to $39.3B (49.9% of GDP) in Tanzania.

Mauritania vs Tanzania GDP by year

Mauritania
Tanzania
1x
Year GDP, current $
Mauritania Tanzania
2024 $10,908,045,687 $78,844,405,385
2023 $10,726,838,461 $79,030,935,627
2022 $9,557,966,698 $75,749,121,843
2021 $9,222,536,364 $70,655,628,148
2020 $8,260,752,385 $66,068,737,786
2019 $7,894,764,886 $61,026,731,926
2018 $7,473,550,557 $57,003,712,892
2017 $6,800,135,898 $53,274,884,533
2016 $6,398,747,592 $49,774,409,374
2015 $6,166,863,897 $47,413,919,817
2014 $6,592,537,782 $49,986,726,461
2013 $7,223,071,097 $45,648,857,242
2012 $6,728,208,836 $39,650,394,363
2011 $6,764,627,746 $34,657,140,096
2010 $5,628,878,798 $32,012,892,919
2009 $4,714,595,548 $29,400,573,554
2008 $5,206,437,194 $27,947,821,398
2007 $4,346,212,355 $21,860,434,823
2006 $3,919,577,286 $18,619,859,795
2005 $2,936,019,526 $18,395,383,647
2004 $2,362,501,023 $16,673,062,473
2003 $2,051,147,607 $15,211,487,709
2002 $1,777,057,481 $14,129,651,896
2001 $1,746,063,558 $13,563,990,022
2000 $1,779,520,886 $13,371,767,082
1999 $1,985,922,776 $12,704,334,196
1998 $2,032,347,665 $12,172,790,056
1997 $2,071,996,564 $11,158,197,942
1996 $2,132,087,009 $9,433,528,150
1995 $2,091,726,101 $7,631,431,840
1994 $1,944,876,755 $6,550,480,484
1993 $1,847,353,211 $6,182,872,708
1992 $2,164,298,425 $6,681,997,469
1991 $2,133,692,697 $7,197,768,159
1990 $1,506,914,408 $6,184,384,225
1989 $1,450,647,019 $6,418,799,007
1988 $1,414,951,290 $7,406,614,407
1987 $1,344,664,725 $7,824,193,222
1986 $1,186,628,778 $10,840,864,521
1985 $1,009,723,326 $15,328,295,175
1984 $1,074,373,230 $12,906,635,133
1983 $1,165,171,263 $14,049,883,809
1982 $1,108,776,653 $13,927,383,240
1981 $1,105,494,682 $13,161,540,378
1980 $1,047,925,106 $11,409,228,087
1979 $951,900,945 $9,804,637,491
1978 $804,629,877 $9,261,675,710
1977 $799,030,017 $7,732,598,995
1976 $775,045,517 $6,472,511,988
1975 $703,377,837 $5,729,917,840
1974 $613,010,553 $4,977,337,978
1973 $493,237,876 $4,144,104,535
1972 $391,669,449 $3,472,787,266
1971 $335,568,907 $3,050,673,517
1970 $309,405,316 $2,851,419,386
1969 $295,062,308 $5,142,066,811
1968 $311,395,937 $4,895,251,824
1967 $282,615,310 $4,565,132,048
1966 $266,533,605 $4,377,998,825
1965 $255,340,475 $3,817,226,546
1964 $224,495,744 $3,748,840,925
1963 $168,186,297 $3,456,579,293
1962 $164,271,558 $3,101,589,993
1961 $159,213,430 $2,826,179,031
1960 - $2,651,729,807

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

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

GDP per capita in Mauritania vs Tanzania by year

Mauritania
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Tanzania
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Mauritania Tanzania
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $2,110 $7,369 $1,150 $4,221
2023 $2,136 $6,966 $1,186 $4,019
2022 $1,960 $6,485 $1,171 $3,800
2021 $1,948 $5,837 $1,125 $3,493
2020 $1,796 $5,741 $1,084 $3,291
2019 $1,767 $5,610 $1,031 $2,982
2018 $1,723 $5,429 $992 $2,728
2017 $1,615 $5,353 $957 $2,472
2016 $1,566 $4,683 $925 $2,435
2015 $1,555 $3,978 $911 $2,317
2014 $1,713 $3,865 $993 $2,221
2013 $1,934 $3,831 $935 $2,176
2012 $1,859 $3,465 $837 $2,083
2011 $1,931 $3,271 $753 $2,211
2010 $1,660 $3,178 $715 $2,069
2009 $1,435 $3,159 $674 $1,972
2008 $1,636 $3,236 $657 $1,908
2007 $1,405 $3,278 $528 $1,820
2006 $1,301 $3,342 $462 $1,707
2005 $999 $2,809 $469 $1,598
2004 $824 $2,570 $438 $1,482
2003 $732 $2,447 $410 $1,379
2002 $649 $2,296 $391 $1,302
2001 $652 $2,280 $385 $1,229
2000 $681 $2,304 $390 $1,164
1999 $781 $2,411 $382 $1,120
1998 $821 $2,355 $375 $1,082
1997 $859 $2,325 $353 $1,059
1996 $904 $2,436 $305 $1,026
1995 $905 $2,306 $251.2 $981
1994 $865 $2,114 $222.5 $958
1993 $850 $2,209 $218.2 $959
1992 $1,036 $2,122 $243.4 $955
1991 $1,062 $2,116 $268.8 $952
1990 $772 $2,070 $236.9 $925
1989 $762 - $252.3 -
1988 $762 - $299 -
1987 $746 - $326 -
1986 $677 - $466 -
1985 $593 - $681 -
1984 $650 - $593 -
1983 $725 - $667 -
1982 $710 - $683 -
1981 $729 - $665 -
1980 $711 - $595 -
1979 $664 - $527 -
1978 $578 - $515 -
1977 $590 - $446 -
1976 $589 - $387 -
1975 $551 - $355 -
1974 $494 - $320 -
1973 $410 - $276.1 -
1972 $335 - $239.8 -
1971 $296 - $218.4 -
1970 $281.3 - $211.3 -
1969 $276.6 - $394 -
1968 $301 - $388 -
1967 $281.5 - $374 -
1966 $273.6 - $370 -
1965 $270 - $333 -
1964 $244.3 - $337 -
1963 $188.2 - $320 -
1962 $189 - $295.7 -
1961 $188.2 - $277.4 -
1960 - - $267.8 -

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

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

Mauritania's GDP per capita is $2,110, ranking 156/197, compared to $1,150 in Tanzania, ranking 170/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Mauritania ranks 147th at $7,369, while Tanzania ranks 165th at $4,221.

Economic indicators

Mauritania Tanzania
Gross domestic product
$10.9B
2024
$78.8B
2024
GDP rank
153/197
2024
82/197
2024
GDP growth
6.31%
2023-2024
5.53%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$2,110
2024
$1,150
2024
GDP per capita rank
156/197
2024
170/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$7,369
2024
$4,221
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
147/197
2024
165/197
2024
Government debt
$4.67B
2024
$39.3B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
42.8%
2024
49.9%
2024
Government debt per person
$904
2024
$573
2024
Government debt per person rank
145/185
2024
160/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$2,078
2026
$2,309
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$7.32B
2024
Number of billionaires n/a
1
2025
Income share by richest 10%
24.6%
2019
33.1%
2018
Income share by poorest 10%
3.1%
2019
2.9%
2018
Government expenditure, % of GDP
23.6%
2024
19.1%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
2.49%
2023-2024
3.06%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate n/a
6%
2024
Unemployment rate
10.4%
2019
2.43%
2024
Population
5505206
73145892

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Mauritania
Spending

Debt
Tanzania
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Mauritania Tanzania
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 23.6% 42.8% 19.1% 49.9%
2023 24.8% 47.1% 19% 47.8%
2022 28.7% 50.5% 19.1% 44.9%
2021 20.8% 54.5% 18.4% 43.4%
2020 18.5% 56.5% 17.4% 41.3%
2019 17.8% 57.7% 17.3% 40.4%
2018 19% 59.2% 17.3% 42%
2017 20.3% 55.7% 16.4% 40.1%
2016 20.8% 57.6% 16.9% 39.8%
2015 25.7% 59.9% 17.2% 39.5%
2014 23.9% 49.5% 17.3% 36.4%
2013 20.1% 40.7% 18.8% 32.7%
2012 21.5% 39.3% 19.6% 30%
2011 17% 38.8% 19% 28.4%
2010 17.3% 43.9% 19.8% 27.6%
2009 19.6% 54.3% 19.6% 23.9%
2008 19.8% 57.2% 18.1% 21.6%
2007 19.7% 61.5% 17.8% 23.8%
2006 19% 38% 17.6% 17.4%
2005 21.3% 71.1% 18.3% 25.4%
2004 23.9% 22% 17% 44.5%
2003 - 22.9% 15.4% 44.4%
2002 - 59.5% 13.6% 47.4%
2001 - 63.5% 12.4% 50.8%
2000 - 55.5% 12.3% 55.4%
1999 - - 12.8% 62.9%
1998 - - 11.4% 62.2%
1997 - - 12.8% 73.4%
1996 - - 13.4% 89.6%
1995 - - 15.6% 111.1%
1994 - - 16.8% 126%
1993 - - 16.4% 129.2%
1992 - - 17.6% 117.6%
1991 - - 14.2% 106.5%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1991–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1991–2000, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Mauritania's government spending was $2.57B, accounting for 23.6% of its GDP, while Tanzania spent $15.1B, or 19.1% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 42.8% in Mauritania and 49.9% in Tanzania, ranking 126/185 and 109/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Mauritania

Tanzania
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Mauritania Tanzania
2024 -1.35% -3.03%
2023 -2.45% -3.67%
2022 -3.09% -3.92%
2021 2.6% -3.55%
2020 2.78% -2.56%
2019 2.65% -2.06%
2018 3.23% -2.01%
2017 0.53% -1.14%
2016 0.13% -2.08%
2015 -2.44% -3.17%
2014 -2.64% -2.91%
2013 -0.66% -3.76%
2012 1.67% -4%
2011 0.07% -3.51%
2010 -0.45% -4.74%
2009 -3.59% -4.46%
2008 -3.32% -1.92%
2007 -1.38% -1.44%
2006 2.05% -3.38%
2005 -3.16% -3.28%
2004 -3.06% -2.43%
2003 - -1.77%
2002 - -0.73%
2001 - -0.41%
2000 - -0.73%
1999 - -1.14%
1998 - 0.13%
1997 - -0.03%
1996 - 1.57%
1995 - -2.12%
1994 - -3.74%
1993 - -2.02%
1992 - -4.96%
1991 - 0.6%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1991–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/mauritania/tanzania | 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 Tanzania's deficit of $2.39B, or 3.03% of GDP.

Over the past 21 years, Mauritania recorded a fiscal deficit in 12 of those years, while Tanzania ran a deficit in 21 years. On average, Mauritania posted an annual deficit equal to 0.57% of GDP, compared to deficit of 3% of GDP for Tanzania.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Mauritania

Tanzania
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Mauritania Tanzania
2024 2.49% 3.06%
2023 4.95% 3.8%
2022 9.53% 4.35%
2021 3.57% 3.69%
2020 2.39% 3.29%
2019 2.3% 3.46%
2018 3.07% 3.49%
2017 2.25% 5.32%
2016 1.47% 5.17%
2015 3.25% 5.59%
2014 3.53% 6.13%
2013 4.13% 7.87%
2012 4.9% 16%
2011 5.69% 12.7%
2010 6.28% 6.2%
2009 2.22% 12.1%
2008 7.35% 10.3%
2007 7.25% 7.03%
2006 6.24% 7.25%
2005 12.1% 5.03%
2004 10.4% 4.74%
2003 5.15% 5.3%
2002 3.9% 5.32%
2001 4.71% 5.15%
2000 3.25% 5.92%
1999 4.07% 7.89%
1998 8.03% 12.8%
1997 4.63% 16.1%

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

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

Over the past 28 years, Mauritania has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 4.97%, compared with 6.97% in Tanzania. In 2024, inflation was 2.49% in Mauritania and 3.06% in Tanzania.

Top exports between countries

Mauritania
Export category Export value
Animal & marine products $32K
Textiles & consumer goods $1K
Tanzania
Export category Export value
Raw materials & minerals $695K
Chemicals & pharma $442K
Textiles & consumer goods $192K
Machinery & equipment $111K
Metals $48K
Wood & paper products $30K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $2K

Balance of trade

Mauritania Tanzania
Current account balance
-$1.04B
2024
-$2.38B
2024
Current account balance ranking
124/190
2024
147/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-9.53%
2024
-3.02%
2024
Goods imports
$4.32B
2024
$14.2B
2024
Goods exports
$3.83B
2024
$9.12B
2024
Service imports
$1.05B
2024
$2.8B
2024
Service exports
$230M
2024
$6.85B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
52.2%
2024
21.7%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
41.4%
2024
19.8%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Mauritania Tanzania
Economic freedom 53.9 59
Economic freedom ranking 136/197 106/197
Property rights 32.6 45.2
Government integrity 24.5 40.9
Judicial effectiveness 26.4 29.6
Tax burden 75.5 80.4
Government spending 80.2 89.1
Fiscal health 87.9 75
Business freedom 38.7 48.1
Labor freedom 53.6 62.3
Monetary freedom 77.8 73.4
Trade freedom 59.6 58.8
Investment freedom 50 55
Financial freedom 40 50

Economic freedom comparison by year

Mauritania
Tanzania
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Mauritania Tanzania
2026 53.9 59
2025 54.9 59.3
2024 55.3 59.1
2023 55.3 60
2022 55.3 59.5
2021 56.1 61.3
2020 55.3 61.7
2019 55.7 60.2
2018 54 59.9
2017 54.4 58.6
2016 54.8 58.5
2015 53.3 57.5
2014 53.2 57.8
2013 52.3 57.9
2012 53 57
2011 52.1 57
2010 52 58.3
2009 53.9 58.3
2008 55.2 56.5
2007 53.6 56.8
2006 55.7 58.5
2005 59.4 56.3
2004 61.8 60.1
2003 59 56.9
2002 52.5 58.3
2001 48.5 54.9
2000 46 56
1999 42.8 60
1998 43.7 59.6
1997 47 59.3
1996 45.5 57.5
1995 - 57.3

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Mauritania is 53.9, ranking 136/197, compared to 59 for Tanzania, ranking 106/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Mauritania Tanzania
Services, % of GDP
42.4%
2024
29.6%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
30.5%
2024
28.6%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
19.3%
2024
23.3%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$11B
2024
$80.2B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$7,300
2024
$4,130
2024
Total reserves including gold
$2.04B
2021
$5.05B
2018
Total reserves ranking
126/177
2021
101/177
2018
Net foreign direct investment
-$1.44B
2024
-$1.72B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$1.44B
2024
$1.72B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$3.9M
2024
$0
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
3.82%
2024
2.57%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
31.8%
2019
26.4%
2018
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
43.1%
2024
39.8%
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/tanzania | CC BY

Compare countries by 7 more topics

Help us show the world through your eyes

Share a photo of your city and help others discover what it looks like to live there. Your contribution makes our data come alive.

Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1991–2024, 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. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1991–2000, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  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.