Skip to content

Economy of Mauritania vs Vietnam compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Mauritania has a GDP of $10.9B compared to $476B for Vietnam, ranking 153/197 and 33/197 by economy size, respectively.

Mauritania has $4.67B in government debt (42.8% of GDP), compared to $149B (31.3% of GDP) in Vietnam.

Mauritania vs Vietnam GDP by year

Mauritania
Vietnam
1x
Year GDP, current $
Mauritania Vietnam
2024 $10,908,045,687 $476,388,230,307
2023 $10,726,838,461 $433,857,681,378
2022 $9,557,966,698 $413,445,230,669
2021 $9,222,536,364 $366,474,752,771
2020 $8,260,752,385 $346,615,738,538
2019 $7,894,764,886 $334,365,270,497
2018 $7,473,550,557 $310,106,478,395
2017 $6,800,135,898 $281,353,605,987
2016 $6,398,747,592 $257,096,001,178
2015 $6,166,863,897 $239,258,328,382
2014 $6,592,537,782 $233,451,469,643
2013 $7,223,071,097 $213,708,811,665
2012 $6,728,208,836 $195,590,661,129
2011 $6,764,627,746 $172,595,049,184
2010 $5,628,878,798 $147,201,173,197
2009 $4,714,595,548 $106,014,659,565
2008 $5,206,437,194 $99,130,304,099
2007 $4,346,212,355 $77,414,425,532
2006 $3,919,577,286 $66,371,664,817
2005 $2,936,019,526 $57,633,255,738
2004 $2,362,501,023 $45,427,854,693
2003 $2,051,147,607 $39,552,513,232
2002 $1,777,057,481 $35,064,105,501
2001 $1,746,063,558 $32,685,198,809
2000 $1,779,520,886 $31,172,518,403
1999 $1,985,922,776 $28,683,659,007
1998 $2,032,347,665 $27,209,602,050
1997 $2,071,996,564 $26,843,700,442
1996 $2,132,087,009 $24,657,470,575
1995 $2,091,726,101 $20,736,164,459
1994 $1,944,876,755 $16,286,433,533
1993 $1,847,353,211 $13,180,953,598
1992 $2,164,298,425 $9,866,990,236
1991 $2,133,692,697 $9,613,369,520
1990 $1,506,914,408 $6,471,740,806
1989 $1,450,647,019 $6,293,304,975
1988 $1,414,951,290 $25,423,812,649
1987 $1,344,664,725 $36,658,108,850
1986 $1,186,628,778 $26,336,616,250
1985 $1,009,723,326 $14,094,687,821
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 (1961–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

GDP per capita in Mauritania vs Vietnam by year

Mauritania
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Vietnam
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Mauritania Vietnam
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $2,110 $7,369 $4,717 $16,386
2023 $2,136 $6,966 $4,323 $15,034
2022 $1,960 $6,485 $4,148 $13,905
2021 $1,948 $5,837 $3,704 $12,049
2020 $1,796 $5,741 $3,534 $11,609
2019 $1,767 $5,610 $3,441 $11,029
2018 $1,723 $5,429 $3,222 $10,010
2017 $1,615 $5,353 $2,956 $9,170
2016 $1,566 $4,683 $2,735 $8,375
2015 $1,555 $3,978 $2,578 $7,672
2014 $1,713 $3,865 $2,546 $7,297
2013 $1,934 $3,831 $2,360 $6,758
2012 $1,859 $3,465 $2,185 $6,377
2011 $1,931 $3,271 $1,951 $5,786
2010 $1,660 $3,178 $1,683 $5,389
2009 $1,435 $3,159 $1,226 $5,061
2008 $1,636 $3,236 $1,164 $4,844
2007 $1,405 $3,278 $926 $4,581
2006 $1,301 $3,342 $808 $4,237
2005 $999 $2,809 $711 $3,894
2004 $824 $2,570 $565 $3,543
2003 $732 $2,447 $497 $3,240
2002 $649 $2,296 $445 $3,002
2001 $652 $2,280 $419 $2,809
2000 $681 $2,304 $404 $2,614
1999 $781 $2,411 $376 $2,421
1998 $821 $2,355 $361 $2,308
1997 $859 $2,325 $362 $2,189
1996 $904 $2,436 $337 $2,019
1995 $905 $2,306 $287.8 $1,841
1994 $865 $2,114 $229.9 $1,674
1993 $850 $2,209 $189.4 $1,534
1992 $1,036 $2,122 $144.5 $1,413
1991 $1,062 $2,116 $143.7 $1,298
1990 $772 $2,070 $98.8 $1,210
1989 $762 - $98.1 -
1988 $762 - $405 -
1987 $746 - $595 -
1986 $677 - $436 -
1985 $593 - $238.6 -
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 (1961–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

Mauritania's GDP per capita is $2,110, ranking 156/197, compared to $4,717 in Vietnam, ranking 122/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Mauritania ranks 147th at $7,369, while Vietnam ranks 108th at $16,386.

Economic indicators

Mauritania Vietnam
Gross domestic product
$10.9B
2024
$476B
2024
GDP rank
153/197
2024
33/197
2024
GDP growth
6.31%
2023-2024
7.09%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$2,110
2024
$4,717
2024
GDP per capita rank
156/197
2024
122/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$7,369
2024
$16,386
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
147/197
2024
108/197
2024
Government debt
$4.67B
2024
$149B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
42.8%
2024
31.3%
2024
Government debt per person
$904
2024
$1,475
2024
Government debt per person rank
145/185
2024
132/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$2,078
2026
$4,020
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$205B
2024
Number of billionaires n/a
5
2025
Income share by richest 10%
24.6%
2019
28.1%
2022
Income share by poorest 10%
3.1%
2019
2.6%
2022
Government expenditure, % of GDP
23.6%
2024
19.1%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
2.49%
2023-2024
3.6%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate n/a
4.5%
2023
Unemployment rate
10.4%
2019
1.53%
2024
Population
5505206
102365351

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Mauritania
Spending

Debt
Vietnam
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Mauritania Vietnam
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 23.6% 42.8% 19.1% 31.3%
2023 24.8% 47.1% 18.8% 34.3%
2022 28.7% 50.5% 18.2% 34.9%
2021 20.8% 54.5% 20.1% 39.2%
2020 18.5% 56.5% 21.3% 41.3%
2019 17.8% 57.7% 19.8% 41%
2018 19% 59.2% 20.5% 43.8%
2017 20.3% 55.7% 21.5% 46.6%
2016 20.8% 57.6% 22.2% 47.9%
2015 25.7% 59.9% 24.2% 46.1%
2014 23.9% 49.5% 22.8% 43.6%
2013 20.1% 40.7% 24.5% 41.4%
2012 21.5% 39.3% 23.5% 38.3%
2011 17% 38.8% 21.2% 36.2%
2010 17.3% 43.9% 23.7% 37.3%
2009 19.6% 54.3% 25% 36.2%
2008 19.8% 57.2% 21.4% 31%
2007 19.7% 61.5% 22.3% 32.2%
2006 19% 38% 20.5% 30.2%
2005 21.3% 71.1% 20.6% 28.7%
2004 23.9% 22% 19.4% 29.4%
2003 - 22.9% 22.2% 29.8%
2002 - 59.5% 19.7% 27.7%
2001 - 63.5% 19.2% 25.4%
2000 - 55.5% 17.8% 24.8%
1999 - - 16.7% -
1998 - - 16% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1998–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Mauritania's government spending was $2.57B, accounting for 23.6% of its GDP, while Vietnam spent $91.1B, or 19.1% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 42.8% in Mauritania and 31.3% in Vietnam, ranking 126/185 and 156/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Mauritania

Vietnam
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Mauritania Vietnam
2024 -1.35% -1.54%
2023 -2.45% -1.72%
2022 -3.09% 0.67%
2021 2.6% -1.43%
2020 2.78% -2.86%
2019 2.65% -0.4%
2018 3.23% -1.02%
2017 0.53% -1.96%
2016 0.13% -3.16%
2015 -2.44% -4.98%
2014 -2.64% -5.02%
2013 -0.66% -5.96%
2012 1.67% -5.46%
2011 0.07% -0.9%
2010 -0.45% -2.25%
2009 -3.59% -4.82%
2008 -3.32% -0.45%
2007 -1.38% -1.74%
2006 2.05% 0.2%
2005 -3.16% -0.95%
2004 -3.06% -0.15%
2003 - -2.56%
2002 - -1.85%
2001 - -2.19%
2000 - -1.61%
1999 - -1.25%
1998 - -0.1%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1998–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/mauritania/vietnam | 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 Vietnam's deficit of $7.32B, or 1.54% of GDP.

Over the past 21 years, Mauritania recorded a fiscal deficit in 12 of those years, while Vietnam ran a deficit in 19 years. On average, Mauritania posted an annual deficit equal to 0.57% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.19% of GDP for Vietnam.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Mauritania

Vietnam
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Mauritania Vietnam
2024 2.49% 3.6%
2023 4.95% 3.3%
2022 9.53% 3.2%
2021 3.57% 1.8%
2020 2.39% 3.2%
2019 2.3% 2.8%
2018 3.07% 3.5%
2017 2.25% 3.5%
2016 1.47% 2.7%
2015 3.25% 0.6%
2014 3.53% 4.1%
2013 4.13% 6.6%
2012 4.9% 9.1%
2011 5.69% 18.7%
2010 6.28% 9.1%
2009 2.22% 6.7%
2008 7.35% 23.3%
2007 7.25% 8.4%
2006 6.24% 7.7%
2005 12.1% 8.3%
2004 10.4% 7.8%
2003 5.15% 3.1%
2002 3.9% 3.8%
2001 4.71% -0.4%
2000 3.25% -1.8%
1999 4.07% 4.1%
1998 8.03% 8.1%
1997 4.63% 3.1%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

Over the past 28 years, Mauritania has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 4.97%, compared with 5.64% in Vietnam. In 2024, inflation was 2.49% in Mauritania and 3.6% in Vietnam.

Top exports between countries

Mauritania
Export category Export value
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $2.16M
Raw materials & minerals $1.48M
Textiles & consumer goods $766K
Animal & marine products $51K
Machinery & equipment $17K
Vietnam
Export category Export value

Balance of trade

Mauritania Vietnam
Current account balance
-$1.04B
2024
$28B
2024
Current account balance ranking
124/190
2024
18/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-9.53%
2024
+5.89%
2024
Goods imports
$4.32B
2024
$362B
2024
Goods exports
$3.83B
2024
$406B
2024
Service imports
$1.05B
2024
$36.2B
2024
Service exports
$230M
2024
$23.9B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
52.2%
2024
83.7%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
41.4%
2024
90.2%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Mauritania Vietnam
Economic freedom 53.9 64.4
Economic freedom ranking 136/197 73/197
Property rights 32.6 47.3
Government integrity 24.5 39.2
Judicial effectiveness 26.4 31.3
Tax burden 75.5 80.9
Government spending 80.2 89.5
Fiscal health 87.9 96.9
Business freedom 38.7 70
Labor freedom 53.6 54.7
Monetary freedom 77.8 73.2
Trade freedom 59.6 79.8
Investment freedom 50 60
Financial freedom 40 50

Economic freedom comparison by year

Mauritania
Vietnam
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Mauritania Vietnam
2026 53.9 64.4
2025 54.9 65.2
2024 55.3 62.8
2023 55.3 61.8
2022 55.3 60.6
2021 56.1 61.7
2020 55.3 58.8
2019 55.7 55.3
2018 54 53.1
2017 54.4 52.4
2016 54.8 54
2015 53.3 51.7
2014 53.2 50.8
2013 52.3 51
2012 53 51.3
2011 52.1 51.6
2010 52 49.8
2009 53.9 51
2008 55.2 50.4
2007 53.6 49.8
2006 55.7 50.5
2005 59.4 48.1
2004 61.8 46.1
2003 59 46.2
2002 52.5 45.6
2001 48.5 44.3
2000 46 43.7
1999 42.8 42.7
1998 43.7 40.4
1997 47 38.6
1996 45.5 40.2
1995 - 41.7

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Mauritania is 53.9, ranking 136/197, compared to 64.4 for Vietnam, ranking 73/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Mauritania Vietnam
Services, % of GDP
42.4%
2024
42.4%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
30.5%
2024
37.6%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
19.3%
2024
11.9%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$11B
2024
$454B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$7,300
2024
$15,850
2024
Total reserves including gold
$2.04B
2021
$83.1B
2024
Total reserves ranking
126/177
2021
30/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$1.44B
2024
-$19.6B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$1.44B
2024
$20.2B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$3.9M
2024
$600M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
3.82%
2024
7.29%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
31.8%
2019
4.2%
2022
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
43.1%
2024
30.6%
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/vietnam | 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 (1961–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1998–2024, 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 (2020–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  6. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  7. 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.