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Economy of Mauritania vs United States compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Mauritania has a GDP of $10.9B compared to $28.8T for the United States, ranking 153/197 and 1/197 by economy size, respectively.

Mauritania has $4.67B in government debt (42.8% of GDP), compared to $35.2T (122.3% of GDP) in the United States.

Mauritania vs United States GDP by year

Mauritania
United States
1x
Year GDP, current $
Mauritania United States
2024 $10,908,045,687 $28,750,956,130,731
2023 $10,726,838,461 $27,292,170,793,214
2022 $9,557,966,698 $25,604,848,907,611
2021 $9,222,536,364 $23,315,080,560,000
2020 $8,260,752,385 $21,060,473,613,000
2019 $7,894,764,886 $21,380,976,119,000
2018 $7,473,550,557 $20,533,057,312,000
2017 $6,800,135,898 $19,477,336,549,000
2016 $6,398,747,592 $18,695,110,842,000
2015 $6,166,863,897 $18,206,020,741,000
2014 $6,592,537,782 $17,550,680,174,000
2013 $7,223,071,097 $16,843,190,993,000
2012 $6,728,208,836 $16,253,972,230,000
2011 $6,764,627,746 $15,599,728,123,000
2010 $5,628,878,798 $15,048,964,444,000
2009 $4,714,595,548 $14,478,064,934,000
2008 $5,206,437,194 $14,769,857,911,000
2007 $4,346,212,355 $14,474,226,905,000
2006 $3,919,577,286 $13,815,586,948,000
2005 $2,936,019,526 $13,039,199,193,000
2004 $2,362,501,023 $12,217,193,198,000
2003 $2,051,147,607 $11,456,442,041,000
2002 $1,777,057,481 $10,929,112,955,000
2001 $1,746,063,558 $10,581,929,774,000
2000 $1,779,520,886 $10,250,947,997,000
1999 $1,985,922,776 $9,631,174,489,000
1998 $2,032,347,665 $9,062,818,202,000
1997 $2,071,996,564 $8,577,554,457,000
1996 $2,132,087,009 $8,073,122,000,000
1995 $2,091,726,101 $7,639,749,000,000
1994 $1,944,876,755 $7,287,236,000,000
1993 $1,847,353,211 $6,858,559,000,000
1992 $2,164,298,425 $6,520,327,000,000
1991 $2,133,692,697 $6,158,129,000,000
1990 $1,506,914,408 $5,963,144,000,000
1989 $1,450,647,019 $5,641,580,000,000
1988 $1,414,951,290 $5,236,438,000,000
1987 $1,344,664,725 $4,855,215,000,000
1986 $1,186,628,778 $4,579,631,000,000
1985 $1,009,723,326 $4,338,979,000,000
1984 $1,074,373,230 $4,037,613,000,000
1983 $1,165,171,263 $3,634,038,000,000
1982 $1,108,776,653 $3,343,789,000,000
1981 $1,105,494,682 $3,207,041,000,000
1980 $1,047,925,106 $2,857,307,000,000
1979 $951,900,945 $2,627,333,000,000
1978 $804,629,877 $2,351,599,000,000
1977 $799,030,017 $2,081,826,000,000
1976 $775,045,517 $1,873,412,000,000
1975 $703,377,837 $1,684,904,000,000
1974 $613,010,553 $1,545,243,000,000
1973 $493,237,876 $1,425,376,000,000
1972 $391,669,449 $1,279,110,000,000
1971 $335,568,907 $1,164,850,000,000
1970 $309,405,316 $1,073,303,000,000
1969 $295,062,308 $1,017,438,172,414
1968 $311,395,937 $940,225,000,000
1967 $282,615,310 $859,620,034,483
1966 $266,533,605 $813,032,758,621
1965 $255,340,475 $741,904,862,069
1964 $224,495,744 $684,144,620,690
1963 $168,186,297 $637,058,551,724
1962 $164,271,558 $603,639,413,793
1961 $159,213,430 $561,940,310,345
1960 - $541,988,586,207

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

GeoRank.org/economy/mauritania/united-states | CC BY

GDP per capita in Mauritania vs United States by year

Mauritania
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
United States
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Mauritania United States
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $2,110 $7,369 $84,534 $85,810
2023 $2,136 $6,966 $81,490 $82,305
2022 $1,960 $6,485 $76,829 $77,861
2021 $1,948 $5,837 $70,249 $71,307
2020 $1,796 $5,741 $63,526 $64,402
2019 $1,767 $5,610 $65,120 $65,228
2018 $1,723 $5,429 $62,823 $62,876
2017 $1,615 $5,353 $59,908 $60,048
2016 $1,566 $4,683 $57,867 $57,977
2015 $1,555 $3,978 $56,763 $56,849
2014 $1,713 $3,865 $55,124 $55,153
2013 $1,934 $3,831 $53,291 $53,297
2012 $1,859 $3,465 $51,784 $51,708
2011 $1,931 $3,271 $50,066 $50,025
2010 $1,660 $3,178 $48,651 $48,643
2009 $1,435 $3,159 $47,195 $47,195
2008 $1,636 $3,236 $48,570 $48,570
2007 $1,405 $3,278 $48,050 $48,050
2006 $1,301 $3,342 $46,302 $46,302
2005 $999 $2,809 $44,123 $44,123
2004 $824 $2,570 $41,725 $41,725
2003 $732 $2,447 $39,490 $39,490
2002 $649 $2,296 $37,998 $37,998
2001 $652 $2,280 $37,134 $37,134
2000 $681 $2,304 $36,330 $36,330
1999 $781 $2,411 $34,484 $34,515
1998 $821 $2,355 $32,823 $32,854
1997 $859 $2,325 $31,430 $31,459
1996 $904 $2,436 $29,937 $29,968
1995 $905 $2,306 $28,661 $28,691
1994 $865 $2,114 $27,662 $27,695
1993 $850 $2,209 $26,353 $26,387
1992 $1,036 $2,122 $25,381 $25,419
1991 $1,062 $2,116 $24,293 $24,342
1990 $772 $2,070 $23,840 $23,889
1989 $762 - $22,857 -
1988 $762 - $21,417 -
1987 $746 - $20,039 -
1986 $677 - $19,071 -
1985 $593 - $18,237 -
1984 $650 - $17,121 -
1983 $725 - $15,544 -
1982 $710 - $14,434 -
1981 $729 - $13,976 -
1980 $711 - $12,613 -
1979 $664 - $11,674 -
1978 $578 - $10,565 -
1977 $590 - $9,453 -
1976 $589 - $8,592 -
1975 $551 - $7,801 -
1974 $494 - $7,226 -
1973 $410 - $6,726 -
1972 $335 - $6,094 -
1971 $296 - $5,609 -
1970 $281.3 - $5,234 -
1969 $276.6 - $5,020 -
1968 $301 - $4,685 -
1967 $281.5 - $4,326 -
1966 $273.6 - $4,136 -
1965 $270 - $3,818 -
1964 $244.3 - $3,565 -
1963 $188.2 - $3,366 -
1962 $189 - $3,236 -
1961 $188.2 - $3,059 -
1960 - - $3,000 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06); U.S. Census Bureau (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/mauritania/united-states | CC BY

Mauritania's GDP per capita is $2,110, ranking 156/197, compared to $84,534 in the United States, ranking 10/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Mauritania ranks 147th at $7,369, while the United States ranks 12th at $85,810.

Economic indicators

Mauritania United States
Gross domestic product
$10.9B
2024
$28.8T
2024
GDP rank
153/197
2024
1/197
2024
GDP growth
6.31%
2023-2024
2.79%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$2,110
2024
$84,534
2024
GDP per capita rank
156/197
2024
10/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$7,369
2024
$85,810
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
147/197
2024
12/197
2024
Government debt
$4.67B
2024
$35.2T
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
42.8%
2024
122.3%
2024
Government debt per person
$904
2024
$103,404
2024
Government debt per person rank
145/185
2024
2/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$2,078
2026
$53,202
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$62.2T
2024
Number of millionaires n/a
23,831,000
2025
Number of billionaires n/a
902
2025
Income share by richest 10%
24.6%
2019
30.4%
2023
Income share by poorest 10%
3.1%
2019
1.8%
2023
Government expenditure, % of GDP
23.6%
2024
37.9%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
2.49%
2023-2024
2.95%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate n/a
3.75%
2025
Unemployment rate
10.4%
2019
4.02%
2024
Population
5505206
344023146

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Mauritania
Spending

Debt
United States
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Mauritania United States
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 23.6% 42.8% 37.9% 122.3%
2023 24.8% 47.1% 37.7% 119.8%
2022 28.7% 50.5% 36.8% 119.1%
2021 20.8% 54.5% 43.2% 125%
2020 18.5% 56.5% 44.7% 132.5%
2019 17.8% 57.7% 35.8% 108.8%
2018 19% 59.2% 35.3% 107.6%
2017 20.3% 55.7% 35.2% 106.4%
2016 20.8% 57.6% 35.3% 107.4%
2015 25.7% 59.9% 35% 105.4%
2014 23.9% 49.5% 35.3% 104.9%
2013 20.1% 40.7% 35.8% 105%
2012 21.5% 39.3% 37.2% 103.7%
2011 17% 38.8% 38.8% 100%
2010 17.3% 43.9% 39.8% 95.6%
2009 19.6% 54.3% 41.4% 87.1%
2008 19.8% 57.2% 37.1% 73.8%
2007 19.7% 61.5% 34.6% 64.9%
2006 19% 38% 33.7% 64.5%
2005 21.3% 71.1% 33.9% 65.8%
2004 23.9% 22% 33.7% 66.4%
2003 - 22.9% 34% 59%
2002 - 59.5% 33.7% 55.9%
2001 - 63.5% 32.8% 53.5%
2000 - 55.5% 31.7% 54.5%
1999 - - 32.2% 60.5%
1998 - - 32.8% 64.2%
1997 - - 33.7% 67.4%
1996 - - 34.7% 69.9%
1995 - - 35.5% 70.7%
1994 - - 35.5% 71.1%
1993 - - 36.4% 71.9%
1992 - - 36.7% 70.3%
1991 - - 35.7% 67.9%
1990 - - 34.5% 63.1%
1989 - - 33.7% 61.6%
1988 - - 33.7% 61.3%
1987 - - 34.3% 60.6%
1986 - - 34.8% 58.9%
1985 - - 34.5% 55.4%
1984 - - 34.3% 50.6%
1983 - - 35.7% 48.9%
1982 - - 35.8% 45.9%
1981 - - 33.9% 41.1%
1980 - - 33.7% 41.9%
1979 - - 32% 41.2%
1978 - - 32.6% 42.5%
1977 - - 33.4% 43.6%
1976 - - 34.2% 44.8%
1975 - - 35.2% 44.6%
1974 - - 32.9% 41.4%
1973 - - 31.9% 42.6%
1972 - - 32.8% 45.4%
1971 - - 32.3% 47%
1970 - - 31.5% 46.4%
1969 - - 29.3% 45.9%
1968 - - 29.1% 48.5%
1967 - - 28.3% 50.4%
1966 - - 26.3% 50.6%
1965 - - 25.4% 53.7%
1964 - - 25.6% 56.7%
1963 - - 26% 58.8%
1962 - - 26% 60.2%
1961 - - 25.9% 62.3%
1960 - - 24.9% 61.7%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (2000–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–2000, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/mauritania/united-states | CC BY

In 2024, Mauritania's government spending was $2.57B, accounting for 23.6% of its GDP, while the United States spent $10.9T, or 37.9% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 42.8% in Mauritania and 122.3% in the United States, ranking 126/185 and 12/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Mauritania

United States
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Mauritania United States
2024 -1.35% -8.03%
2023 -2.45% -7.8%
2022 -3.09% -3.72%
2021 2.6% -11.4%
2020 2.78% -14.1%
2019 2.65% -5.81%
2018 3.23% -5.33%
2017 0.53% -4.79%
2016 0.13% -4.36%
2015 -2.44% -3.53%
2014 -2.64% -4.03%
2013 -0.66% -4.56%
2012 1.67% -8.11%
2011 0.07% -9.72%
2010 -0.45% -11%
2009 -3.59% -13.2%
2008 -3.32% -6.61%
2007 -1.38% -2.91%
2006 2.05% -2.04%
2005 -3.16% -3.07%
2004 -3.06% -4.24%
2003 - -4.77%
2002 - -3.82%
2001 - -0.54%
2000 - 3.62%
1999 - 2.71%
1998 - 2.18%
1997 - 0.88%
1996 - -0.46%
1995 - -1.7%
1994 - -2.05%
1993 - -3.35%
1992 - -3.98%
1991 - -2.72%
1990 - -1.64%
1989 - -0.8%
1988 - -1.06%
1987 - -1.53%
1986 - -2.81%
1985 - -2.63%
1984 - -2.97%
1983 - -4.26%
1982 - -3.78%
1981 - -1.58%
1980 - -2.17%
1979 - -0.79%
1978 - -1.7%
1977 - -2.57%
1976 - -3.63%
1975 - -5.4%
1974 - -1.27%
1973 - -0.86%
1972 - -1.86%
1971 - -2.63%
1970 - -1.21%
1969 - 2.11%
1968 - 1.23%
1967 - 0.47%
1966 - 2.07%
1965 - 2.38%
1964 - 2.18%
1963 - 2.87%
1962 - 2.32%
1961 - 2.28%
1960 - 3.2%
1959 - -9.06%
1958 - -8.68%
1957 - -6.72%
1956 - -6.02%
1955 - -7.4%
1954 - -5.55%
1953 - -5.76%
1952 - -5.41%
1951 - -6.93%
1950 - -8.22%
1949 - -7.94%
1948 - -4.16%
1947 - -3.99%
1946 - -6.45%
1945 - -14.1%
1944 - -13.4%
1943 - -19.3%
1942 - -16.3%
1941 - -10.2%
1940 - -9.73%
1939 - -11.9%
1938 - -10.4%
1937 - -9.22%
1936 - -12.1%
1935 - -13.3%
1934 - -14.9%
1933 - -14.3%
1932 - -12.7%
1931 - -9.76%
1930 - -5.46%
1929 - -4.58%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1929–2000, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (2001–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/mauritania/united-states | 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 the United States' deficit of $2.31T, or 8.03% of GDP.

Over the past 21 years, Mauritania recorded a fiscal deficit in 12 of those years, while the United States ran a deficit in 21 years. On average, Mauritania posted an annual deficit equal to 0.57% of GDP, compared to deficit of 6.59% of GDP for the United States.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Mauritania

United States
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Mauritania United States
2024 2.49% 2.95%
2023 4.95% 4.12%
2022 9.53% 8%
2021 3.57% 4.7%
2020 2.39% 1.23%
2019 2.3% 1.81%
2018 3.07% 2.44%
2017 2.25% 2.13%
2016 1.47% 1.26%
2015 3.25% 0.12%
2014 3.53% 1.62%
2013 4.13% 1.46%
2012 4.9% 2.07%
2011 5.69% 3.16%
2010 6.28% 1.64%
2009 2.22% -0.36%
2008 7.35% 3.84%
2007 7.25% 2.85%
2006 6.24% 3.23%
2005 12.1% 3.39%
2004 10.4% 2.68%
2003 5.15% 2.27%
2002 3.9% 1.59%
2001 4.71% 2.83%
2000 3.25% 3.38%
1999 4.07% 2.19%
1998 8.03% 1.55%
1997 4.63% 2.34%

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

GeoRank.org/economy/mauritania/united-states | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Mauritania has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 4.97%, compared with 2.52% in the United States. In 2024, inflation was 2.49% in Mauritania and 2.95% in the United States.

Top exports between countries

Mauritania
Export category Export value
Raw materials & minerals $1.03M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $392K
Textiles & consumer goods $385K
Chemicals & pharma $346K
Wood & paper products $141K
Animal & marine products $109K
Machinery & equipment $58K
Metals $4K
Raw agricultural goods $1K
United States
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $59.8M
Animal & marine products $39M
Raw agricultural goods $15.5M
Raw materials & minerals $5.84M
Textiles & consumer goods $5.7M
Chemicals & pharma $5.69M
Metals $3.57M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $2.7M
Wood & paper products $2.26M
Miscellaneous $1.16M

Balance of trade

Mauritania United States
Current account balance
-$1.04B
2024
-$1.19T
2024
Current account balance ranking
124/190
2024
190/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-9.53%
2024
-4.12%
2024
Goods imports
$4.32B
2024
$3.3T
2024
Goods exports
$3.83B
2024
$2.08T
2024
Service imports
$1.05B
2024
$841B
2024
Service exports
$230M
2024
$1.15T
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
52.2%
2024
14.3%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
41.4%
2024
11.1%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Mauritania United States
Economic freedom 53.9 72.8
Economic freedom ranking 136/197 27/197
Property rights 32.6 91.6
Government integrity 24.5 77.1
Judicial effectiveness 26.4 76.4
Tax burden 75.5 75.3
Government spending 80.2 57.9
Fiscal health 87.9 18.5
Business freedom 38.7 88.6
Labor freedom 53.6 76.3
Monetary freedom 77.8 84.2
Trade freedom 59.6 67.6
Investment freedom 50 80
Financial freedom 40 80

Economic freedom comparison by year

Mauritania
United States
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Mauritania United States
2026 53.9 72.8
2025 54.9 70.2
2024 55.3 70.1
2023 55.3 70.6
2022 55.3 72.1
2021 56.1 74.8
2020 55.3 76.6
2019 55.7 76.8
2018 54 75.7
2017 54.4 75.1
2016 54.8 75.4
2015 53.3 76.2
2014 53.2 75.5
2013 52.3 76
2012 53 76.3
2011 52.1 77.8
2010 52 78
2009 53.9 80.7
2008 55.2 81
2007 53.6 81.2
2006 55.7 81.2
2005 59.4 79.9
2004 61.8 78.7
2003 59 78.2
2002 52.5 78.4
2001 48.5 79.1
2000 46 76.4
1999 42.8 75.5
1998 43.7 75.4
1997 47 75.6
1996 45.5 76.7
1995 - 76.7

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

GeoRank.org/economy/mauritania/united-states | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Mauritania is 53.9, ranking 136/197, compared to 72.8 for the United States, ranking 27/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Mauritania United States
Services, % of GDP
42.4%
2024
79.7%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
30.5%
2024
17.3%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
19.3%
2024
0.85%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$11B
2024
$28.4T
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$7,300
2024
$85,980
2024
Total reserves including gold
$2.04B
2021
$910B
2024
Total reserves ranking
126/177
2021
3/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$1.44B
2024
$25.1B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$1.44B
2024
$297B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$3.9M
2024
$322B
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
3.82%
2024
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
31.8%
2019
15.1%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
43.1%
2024
21.8%
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/united-states | CC BY

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1929–2000, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  3. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (2000–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  4. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  5. U.S. Census Bureau (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  6. TradeMap (2022–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  7. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  8. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2025-10-14)
  9. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2020, retrieved 2026-02-20)

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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.