Mauritania has a population of 5.17M (ranked 125/197), compared with 64M in South Africa (ranked 24/197). Mauritania's land area is 397,955 sq mi versus 468,377 sq mi for South Africa (ranked 28th vs. 24th).
By GDP, Mauritania ranks 153/197 ($10.9B) and South Africa ranks 40/197 ($401B). By GDP per capita, Mauritania ranks 156/197 ($2,110), while South Africa ranks 111/197 ($6,267).
Main facts and rankings
Mauritania
|
South Africa
|
|
|---|---|---|
| Population |
5505206
|
65683993
|
| Population rank | 122/197 | 24/197 |
| GDP |
$10.9B
2024 |
$401B
2024 |
| GDP rank | 153/197 | 40/197 |
| GDP per capita |
$2,110
2024 |
$6,267
2024 |
| GDP per capita rank | 156/197 | 111/197 |
| GDP per capita, PPP |
$7,369
2024 |
$15,456
2024 |
| Government debt |
$4.67B
2024 |
$305B
2024 |
| Debt-to-GDP ratio |
42.8%
2024 |
76%
2024 |
| Government debt per person |
$904
2024 |
$4,761
2024 |
| Government debt per person rank | 145/185 | 83/185 |
| Average annual personal income after taxes |
$2,078
2026 |
$15,431
2026 |
| Land area | 397,955 sq mi | 468,377 sq mi |
| Population density |
13.7 ppl/mi²
2026 |
139.8 ppl/mi²
2026 |
| Fertility rate |
4.7
2023 |
2.22
2023 |
| Median age |
18.4 years
2024 |
29.5 years
2024 |
| Life expectancy |
69.2 years
2026 |
66.7 years
2026 |
Mauritania and South Africa: Comparison Charts
Mauritania and South Africa economies compared
| Year | GDP | |
|---|---|---|
|
Mauritania
|
South Africa
|
|
| 2024 | $10,908,045,687 | $401,144,998,374 |
| 2023 | $10,726,838,461 | $381,440,724,491 |
| 2022 | $9,557,966,698 | $407,596,043,068 |
| 2021 | $9,222,536,364 | $419,986,284,375 |
| 2020 | $8,260,752,385 | $337,974,655,408 |
| 2019 | $7,894,764,886 | $389,330,032,224 |
| 2018 | $7,473,550,557 | $405,260,723,893 |
| 2017 | $6,800,135,898 | $381,448,814,653 |
| 2016 | $6,398,747,592 | $323,585,509,674 |
| 2015 | $6,166,863,897 | $346,709,790,459 |
| 2014 | $6,592,537,782 | $381,198,869,776 |
| 2013 | $7,223,071,097 | $400,886,013,596 |
| 2012 | $6,728,208,836 | $434,400,545,086 |
| 2011 | $6,764,627,746 | $458,199,494,831 |
| 2010 | $5,628,878,798 | $417,363,822,802 |
| 2009 | $4,714,595,548 | $329,754,060,647 |
| 2008 | $5,206,437,194 | $316,131,258,616 |
| 2007 | $4,346,212,355 | $333,077,117,254 |
| 2006 | $3,919,577,286 | $303,858,675,364 |
| 2005 | $2,936,019,526 | $288,867,217,197 |
| 2004 | $2,362,501,023 | $255,806,908,595 |
| 2003 | $2,051,147,607 | $197,018,965,309 |
| 2002 | $1,777,057,481 | $129,087,556,612 |
| 2001 | $1,746,063,558 | $135,429,905,923 |
| 2000 | $1,779,520,886 | $151,752,757,215 |
| 1999 | $1,985,922,776 | $151,516,957,079 |
| 1998 | $2,032,347,665 | $152,982,984,557 |
| 1997 | $2,071,996,564 | $168,978,057,328 |
| 1996 | $2,132,087,009 | $163,234,925,381 |
| 1995 | $2,091,726,101 | $171,735,933,897 |
| 1994 | $1,944,876,755 | $153,512,712,382 |
| 1993 | $1,847,353,211 | $147,194,747,566 |
| 1992 | $2,164,298,425 | $146,956,150,987 |
| 1991 | $2,133,692,697 | $135,203,698,238 |
| 1990 | $1,506,914,408 | $126,048,140,142 |
| 1989 | $1,450,647,019 | $108,055,624,082 |
| 1988 | $1,414,951,290 | $103,976,831,871 |
| 1987 | $1,344,664,725 | $96,535,763,418 |
| 1986 | $1,186,628,778 | $73,354,771,399 |
| 1985 | $1,009,723,326 | $64,459,376,087 |
| 1984 | $1,074,373,230 | $84,870,163,366 |
| 1983 | $1,165,171,263 | $96,204,110,942 |
| 1982 | $1,108,776,653 | $85,904,057,409 |
| 1981 | $1,105,494,682 | $93,141,472,164 |
| 1980 | $1,047,925,106 | $89,411,864,402 |
| 1979 | $951,900,945 | $63,038,658,089 |
| 1978 | $804,629,877 | $51,607,412,902 |
| 1977 | $799,030,017 | $45,328,411,332 |
| 1976 | $775,045,517 | $41,150,460,288 |
| 1975 | $703,377,837 | $42,906,905,672 |
| 1974 | $613,010,553 | $41,389,186,095 |
| 1973 | $493,237,876 | $33,262,772,008 |
| 1972 | $391,669,449 | $24,515,919,217 |
| 1971 | $335,568,907 | $23,411,076,638 |
| 1970 | $309,405,316 | $21,218,391,513 |
| 1969 | $295,062,308 | $19,256,992,297 |
| 1968 | $311,395,937 | $17,124,793,150 |
| 1967 | $282,615,310 | $15,821,393,671 |
| 1966 | $266,533,605 | $14,211,394,315 |
| 1965 | $255,340,475 | $13,068,994,772 |
| 1964 | $224,495,744 | $11,955,995,218 |
| 1963 | $168,186,297 | $10,854,195,658 |
| 1962 | $164,271,558 | $9,813,996,074 |
| 1961 | $159,213,430 | $9,225,996,310 |
| 1960 | - | $8,748,596,501 |
Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).
GeoRank.org/facts/mauritania/south-africa | CC BY 
Mauritania and South Africa economies compared
| Year | GDP per capita | |
|---|---|---|
|
Mauritania
|
South Africa
|
|
| 2024 | $2,110 | $6,267 |
| 2023 | $2,136 | $6,034 |
| 2022 | $1,960 | $6,534 |
| 2021 | $1,948 | $6,829 |
| 2020 | $1,796 | $5,581 |
| 2019 | $1,767 | $6,534 |
| 2018 | $1,723 | $6,914 |
| 2017 | $1,615 | $6,618 |
| 2016 | $1,566 | $5,651 |
| 2015 | $1,555 | $6,112 |
| 2014 | $1,713 | $6,857 |
| 2013 | $1,934 | $7,332 |
| 2012 | $1,859 | $8,077 |
| 2011 | $1,931 | $8,646 |
| 2010 | $1,660 | $7,973 |
| 2009 | $1,435 | $6,375 |
| 2008 | $1,636 | $6,185 |
| 2007 | $1,405 | $6,592 |
| 2006 | $1,301 | $6,077 |
| 2005 | $999 | $5,837 |
| 2004 | $824 | $5,221 |
| 2003 | $732 | $4,062 |
| 2002 | $649 | $2,688 |
| 2001 | $652 | $2,847 |
| 2000 | $681 | $3,218 |
| 1999 | $781 | $3,242 |
| 1998 | $821 | $3,310 |
| 1997 | $859 | $3,700 |
| 1996 | $904 | $3,618 |
| 1995 | $905 | $3,856 |
| 1994 | $865 | $3,489 |
| 1993 | $850 | $3,400 |
| 1992 | $1,036 | $3,462 |
| 1991 | $1,062 | $3,243 |
| 1990 | $772 | $3,093 |
| 1989 | $762 | $2,727 |
| 1988 | $762 | $2,702 |
| 1987 | $746 | $2,586 |
| 1986 | $677 | $2,027 |
| 1985 | $593 | $1,839 |
| 1984 | $650 | $2,504 |
| 1983 | $725 | $2,938 |
| 1982 | $710 | $2,717 |
| 1981 | $729 | $3,050 |
| 1980 | $711 | $3,029 |
| 1979 | $664 | $2,202 |
| 1978 | $578 | $1,852 |
| 1977 | $590 | $1,671 |
| 1976 | $589 | $1,559 |
| 1975 | $551 | $1,670 |
| 1974 | $494 | $1,656 |
| 1973 | $410 | $1,369 |
| 1972 | $335 | $1,038 |
| 1971 | $296 | $1,020 |
| 1970 | $281.3 | $952 |
| 1969 | $276.6 | $891 |
| 1968 | $301 | $817 |
| 1967 | $281.5 | $779 |
| 1966 | $273.6 | $722 |
| 1965 | $270 | $685 |
| 1964 | $244.3 | $646 |
| 1963 | $188.2 | $605 |
| 1962 | $189 | $563 |
| 1961 | $188.2 | $546 |
| 1960 | - | $532 |
Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).
GeoRank.org/facts/mauritania/south-africa | CC BY
Mauritania vs. South Africa life expectancy calculator
| Year | Life expectancy, years | |
|---|---|---|
|
Mauritania
|
South Africa
|
|
| 2026 | 69.2 | 66.7 |
| 2025 | 68.9 | 66.5 |
| 2024 | 68.7 | 66.3 |
| 2023 | 68.5 | 66.1 |
| 2022 | 68.3 | 65.5 |
| 2021 | 66.8 | 62 |
| 2020 | 66.8 | 65.2 |
| 2019 | 67.6 | 66.1 |
| 2018 | 67.4 | 65.7 |
| 2017 | 67.1 | 65.4 |
| 2016 | 66.8 | 64.7 |
| 2015 | 66.5 | 64.1 |
| 2014 | 66.2 | 63.2 |
| 2013 | 65.9 | 62.4 |
| 2012 | 65.8 | 61.7 |
| 2011 | 65.8 | 60.6 |
| 2010 | 65.7 | 58.9 |
| 2009 | 65.5 | 57.4 |
| 2008 | 65.2 | 56 |
| 2007 | 64.9 | 54.9 |
| 2006 | 64.5 | 54.2 |
| 2005 | 63.9 | 53.9 |
| 2004 | 63.4 | 54 |
| 2003 | 62.8 | 54.2 |
| 2002 | 62.2 | 55.6 |
| 2001 | 61.7 | 57.2 |
| 2000 | 61 | 58.4 |
| 1999 | 60.4 | 59.2 |
| 1998 | 59.9 | 59.9 |
| 1997 | 59.4 | 60.5 |
| 1996 | 58.9 | 61.1 |
| 1995 | 58.9 | 61.6 |
| 1994 | 58.8 | 62.1 |
| 1993 | 58.7 | 62.6 |
| 1992 | 58.6 | 62.8 |
| 1991 | 58.3 | 63 |
| 1990 | 58.1 | 62.9 |
| 1989 | 57.7 | 63 |
| 1988 | 57.5 | 62.9 |
| 1987 | 57 | 62.7 |
| 1986 | 56.3 | 62.4 |
| 1985 | 55.8 | 62.2 |
| 1984 | 55.2 | 61.8 |
| 1983 | 54.6 | 61.4 |
| 1982 | 54.2 | 60.9 |
| 1981 | 53.7 | 60.4 |
| 1980 | 53.2 | 60 |
| 1979 | 52.8 | 59.5 |
| 1978 | 52.3 | 59 |
| 1977 | 52 | 58.5 |
| 1976 | 51.8 | 58 |
| 1975 | 51.6 | 57.6 |
| 1974 | 51.4 | 57.1 |
| 1973 | 51.2 | 56.7 |
| 1972 | 51 | 56.4 |
| 1971 | 50.8 | 56 |
| 1970 | 50.5 | 55.7 |
| 1969 | 50.1 | 55.4 |
| 1968 | 49.5 | 55.2 |
| 1967 | 48.9 | 55 |
| 1966 | 48.1 | 54.7 |
| 1965 | 47.4 | 54.4 |
| 1964 | 46.6 | 54.2 |
| 1963 | 45.8 | 53.9 |
| 1962 | 45 | 53.6 |
| 1961 | 44.3 | 53.1 |
| 1960 | 43.6 | 52.6 |
| 1959 | 42.9 | 51.9 |
| 1958 | 42.3 | 51.1 |
| 1957 | 41.7 | 50.2 |
| 1956 | 41.1 | 49.2 |
| 1955 | 40.6 | 48.2 |
| 1954 | 40.1 | 47.1 |
| 1953 | 39.6 | 46.1 |
| 1952 | 39.2 | 45 |
| 1951 | 38.8 | 44.1 |
| 1950 | 38.4 | 43.1 |
Data sources: United Nations | World Population Prospects (1950–2026, retrieved 2026-03-10).
GeoRank.org/facts/mauritania/south-africa | CC BY
Mauritania and South Africa population clocks and comparison
| Year | Population | |
|---|---|---|
|
Mauritania
|
South Africa
|
|
| 2024 | 5,169,395 | 64,007,187 |
| 2023 | 5,022,441 | 63,212,384 |
| 2022 | 4,875,637 | 62,378,410 |
| 2021 | 4,734,874 | 61,502,603 |
| 2020 | 4,600,131 | 60,562,381 |
| 2019 | 4,467,708 | 59,587,885 |
| 2018 | 4,337,685 | 58,613,001 |
| 2017 | 4,210,600 | 57,635,162 |
| 2016 | 4,086,657 | 57,259,551 |
| 2015 | 3,965,959 | 56,723,537 |
| 2014 | 3,848,514 | 55,594,838 |
| 2013 | 3,734,318 | 54,678,791 |
| 2012 | 3,619,034 | 53,782,567 |
| 2011 | 3,502,811 | 52,995,205 |
| 2010 | 3,390,965 | 52,344,051 |
| 2009 | 3,284,448 | 51,728,516 |
| 2008 | 3,183,269 | 51,114,599 |
| 2007 | 3,093,059 | 50,528,584 |
| 2006 | 3,013,660 | 49,998,277 |
| 2005 | 2,939,059 | 49,490,033 |
| 2004 | 2,868,664 | 48,991,421 |
| 2003 | 2,802,046 | 48,500,348 |
| 2002 | 2,738,655 | 48,019,415 |
| 2001 | 2,678,760 | 47,566,800 |
| 2000 | 2,613,441 | 47,159,719 |
| 1999 | 2,541,698 | 46,730,335 |
| 1998 | 2,474,651 | 46,223,880 |
| 1997 | 2,411,306 | 45,666,838 |
| 1996 | 2,358,188 | 45,123,018 |
| 1995 | 2,312,017 | 44,541,554 |
| 1994 | 2,249,454 | 44,004,139 |
| 1993 | 2,174,328 | 43,297,156 |
| 1992 | 2,088,135 | 42,443,509 |
| 1991 | 2,009,738 | 41,687,898 |
| 1990 | 1,951,878 | 40,746,268 |
| 1989 | 1,903,048 | 39,628,575 |
| 1988 | 1,855,859 | 38,480,649 |
| 1987 | 1,803,014 | 37,326,190 |
| 1986 | 1,751,835 | 36,180,515 |
| 1985 | 1,702,107 | 35,042,093 |
| 1984 | 1,653,693 | 33,892,788 |
| 1983 | 1,606,746 | 32,739,304 |
| 1982 | 1,561,176 | 31,615,339 |
| 1981 | 1,516,877 | 30,541,044 |
| 1980 | 1,474,043 | 29,518,857 |
| 1979 | 1,432,758 | 28,634,162 |
| 1978 | 1,392,713 | 27,869,507 |
| 1977 | 1,353,768 | 27,118,952 |
| 1976 | 1,315,336 | 26,395,450 |
| 1975 | 1,277,330 | 25,690,940 |
| 1974 | 1,240,188 | 24,989,108 |
| 1973 | 1,203,838 | 24,294,263 |
| 1972 | 1,168,355 | 23,609,456 |
| 1971 | 1,133,702 | 22,942,143 |
| 1970 | 1,099,806 | 22,279,984 |
| 1969 | 1,066,754 | 21,614,676 |
| 1968 | 1,034,739 | 20,957,287 |
| 1967 | 1,003,843 | 20,314,066 |
| 1966 | 974,157 | 19,690,087 |
| 1965 | 945,838 | 19,089,380 |
| 1964 | 918,955 | 18,511,361 |
| 1963 | 893,423 | 17,954,564 |
| 1962 | 869,184 | 17,418,522 |
| 1961 | 846,167 | 16,908,035 |
| 1960 | 824,298 | 16,440,172 |
Data sources: World Bank | Health (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).
GeoRank.org/facts/mauritania/south-africa | CC BY
Fertility rates in Mauritania and South Africa
| Year | Fertility rate | |
|---|---|---|
|
Mauritania
|
South Africa
|
|
| 2023 | 4.7 | 2.22 |
| 2022 | 4.77 | 2.23 |
| 2021 | 4.85 | 2.25 |
| 2020 | 4.91 | 2.26 |
| 2019 | 4.98 | 2.26 |
| 2018 | 5.04 | 2.27 |
| 2017 | 5.11 | 2.28 |
| 2016 | 5.16 | 2.26 |
| 2015 | 5.21 | 2.36 |
| 2014 | 5.26 | 2.42 |
| 2013 | 5.32 | 2.43 |
| 2012 | 5.35 | 2.45 |
| 2011 | 5.38 | 2.44 |
| 2010 | 5.38 | 2.44 |
| 2009 | 5.41 | 2.5 |
| 2008 | 5.44 | 2.68 |
| 2007 | 5.43 | 2.55 |
| 2006 | 5.4 | 2.55 |
| 2005 | 5.38 | 2.51 |
| 2004 | 5.37 | 2.44 |
| 2003 | 5.36 | 2.36 |
| 2002 | 5.37 | 2.32 |
| 2001 | 5.41 | 2.37 |
| 2000 | 5.46 | 2.41 |
| 1999 | 5.52 | 2.56 |
| 1998 | 5.62 | 2.63 |
| 1997 | 5.74 | 2.73 |
| 1996 | 5.86 | 2.99 |
| 1995 | 5.96 | 3.17 |
| 1994 | 6.06 | 3.26 |
| 1993 | 6.09 | 3.37 |
| 1992 | 6.13 | 3.48 |
| 1991 | 6.16 | 3.62 |
| 1990 | 6.18 | 3.72 |
| 1989 | 6.2 | 3.98 |
| 1988 | 6.21 | 4.18 |
| 1987 | 6.27 | 4.35 |
| 1986 | 6.34 | 4.41 |
| 1985 | 6.42 | 4.5 |
| 1984 | 6.48 | 4.57 |
| 1983 | 6.54 | 4.63 |
| 1982 | 6.59 | 4.7 |
| 1981 | 6.64 | 4.71 |
| 1980 | 6.67 | 4.78 |
| 1979 | 6.7 | 4.82 |
| 1978 | 6.73 | 4.85 |
| 1977 | 6.74 | 4.94 |
| 1976 | 6.73 | 5.07 |
| 1975 | 6.71 | 5.19 |
| 1974 | 6.73 | 5.3 |
| 1973 | 6.72 | 5.41 |
| 1972 | 6.71 | 5.49 |
| 1971 | 6.7 | 5.57 |
| 1970 | 6.68 | 5.63 |
| 1969 | 6.64 | 5.72 |
| 1968 | 6.6 | 5.78 |
| 1967 | 6.57 | 5.85 |
| 1966 | 6.52 | 5.91 |
| 1965 | 6.44 | 5.89 |
| 1964 | 6.37 | 5.96 |
| 1963 | 6.31 | 6.01 |
| 1962 | 6.24 | 6.05 |
| 1961 | 6.2 | 6.08 |
| 1960 | 6.15 | 6.11 |
Data sources: World Bank | Health (1960–2023, retrieved 2026-04-06).
GeoRank.org/facts/mauritania/south-africa | CC BY
Mauritania and South Africa demographics compared
| Year | Median age, years | |
|---|---|---|
|
Mauritania
|
South Africa
|
|
| 2024 | 18.4 | 29.5 |
| 2023 | 18.2 | 29.2 |
| 2022 | 18.1 | 28.9 |
| 2021 | 18 | 28.6 |
| 2020 | 17.9 | 28.3 |
| 2019 | 17.9 | 27.9 |
| 2018 | 17.8 | 27.5 |
| 2017 | 17.8 | 27 |
| 2016 | 17.8 | 26.7 |
| 2015 | 17.8 | 26.4 |
| 2014 | 17.8 | 26 |
| 2013 | 17.8 | 25.7 |
| 2012 | 17.8 | 25.3 |
| 2011 | 17.9 | 25 |
| 2010 | 17.8 | 24.6 |
| 2009 | 17.8 | 24.3 |
| 2008 | 17.7 | 24 |
| 2007 | 17.6 | 23.8 |
| 2006 | 17.6 | 23.5 |
| 2005 | 17.7 | 23.3 |
| 2004 | 17.7 | 23.1 |
| 2003 | 17.7 | 22.8 |
| 2002 | 17.7 | 22.4 |
| 2001 | 17.7 | 22.2 |
| 2000 | 17.7 | 21.9 |
| 1999 | 17.6 | 21.6 |
| 1998 | 17.5 | 21.4 |
| 1997 | 17.5 | 21.2 |
| 1996 | 17.5 | 21.2 |
| 1995 | 17.6 | 21.5 |
| 1994 | 17.6 | 22 |
| 1993 | 17.6 | 21.9 |
| 1992 | 17.3 | 21.5 |
| 1991 | 17.2 | 21.5 |
| 1990 | 17.1 | 21.3 |
| 1989 | 17.1 | 21.1 |
| 1988 | 17.1 | 20.9 |
| 1987 | 17.1 | 20.7 |
| 1986 | 17 | 20.5 |
| 1985 | 17 | 20.4 |
| 1984 | 17 | 20.2 |
| 1983 | 17 | 20 |
| 1982 | 17 | 19.8 |
| 1981 | 17 | 19.6 |
| 1980 | 17 | 19.4 |
| 1979 | 17 | 19.3 |
| 1978 | 17.1 | 19.2 |
| 1977 | 17.1 | 19.1 |
| 1976 | 17.2 | 19 |
| 1975 | 17.3 | 18.9 |
| 1974 | 17.4 | 18.9 |
| 1973 | 17.6 | 18.8 |
| 1972 | 17.7 | 18.8 |
| 1971 | 17.9 | 18.8 |
| 1970 | 18.1 | 18.8 |
| 1969 | 18.3 | 18.8 |
| 1968 | 18.4 | 18.8 |
| 1967 | 18.5 | 18.8 |
| 1966 | 18.6 | 18.8 |
| 1965 | 18.7 | 18.8 |
| 1964 | 18.8 | 18.9 |
| 1963 | 18.8 | 18.9 |
| 1962 | 18.8 | 18.9 |
| 1961 | 18.8 | 19 |
| 1960 | 18.8 | 19 |
Data sources: World Bank | Health (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).
GeoRank.org/facts/mauritania/south-africa | CC BY
Interactive Maps
Use the buttons below to switch between world maps comparing statistics for Mauritania and South Africa.
National statistics comparison
Finance
|
Mauritania
|
South Africa
|
|
|---|---|---|
| GNI, Atlas method |
$11B
2024 |
$391B
2024 |
| Government expenditure, % of GDP |
23.6%
2024 |
33%
2024 |
| Education expenditure, % of GDP |
4.72%
2023 |
6.02%
2024 |
| Military expenditure, % of GDP |
2.16%
2024 |
0.7%
2024 |
| Armed forces personnel |
21,000
2020 |
89,000
2020 |
| Deficit/surplus, % of GDP |
-1.35%
2024 |
-5.79%
2024 |
| Unemployment rate |
10.4%
2019 |
32.3%
2024 |
| Services, % of GDP |
42.4%
2024 |
63%
2024 |
| Industry, % of GDP |
30.5%
2024 |
24.3%
2024 |
| Economic freedom index |
53.9
2026 |
58.6
2026 |
| Income share by richest 10% |
24.6%
2019 |
50.5%
2014 |
| Income share by poorest 10% |
3.1%
2019 |
0.9%
2014 |
| Number of millionaires | n/a |
90,595
2025 |
| Percentage of millionaires | n/a |
0.22%
2025 |
| Number of billionaires | n/a |
7
2025 |
| Percentage of billionaires | n/a |
0.00002%
2025 |
| Listed domestic companies | n/a |
220
2024 |
| Market capitalization of domestic companies | n/a |
$986B
2024 |
| Total reserves including gold |
$2.04B
2021 |
$65.4B
2024 |
| Personal remittances received |
$94.5M
2024 |
$855M
2024 |
| International tourist arrivals |
30,000
2000 |
3,886,600
2020 |
| International tourism as share of exports |
0.23%
2020 |
2.89%
2020 |
| Banked people share |
27.3%
2024 |
81.1%
2024 |
Energy
|
Mauritania
|
South Africa
|
|
|---|---|---|
| Energy use, kg of oil equivalent per capita | n/a |
1,939 kg
2023 |
| GDP PPP per kg equivalent of energy use | n/a |
$7.84
2023 |
| Carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions |
5.01 megatons
2024 |
440 megatons
2024 |
| CO2 emissions per capita |
0.97 tons
2024 |
6.88 tons
2024 |
| Fossil fuel energy use share | n/a |
93.3%
2022 |
| Renewable energy use share |
19.6%
2022 |
9.7%
2021 |
| Alternative and nuclear energy use share | n/a |
3.58%
2023 |
| Net energy imports use share | n/a |
-12.5%
2023 |
| Electric power consumption per capita | n/a |
3,247 kWh
2023 |
| Renewable electricity output share |
19.4%
2021 |
6.45%
2021 |
| Hydroelectric share |
0%
2021 |
2.91%
2023 |
| Nuclear share |
0%
2021 |
3.73%
2023 |
| Electricity access |
50.3%
2023 |
87.7%
2023 |
Society
|
Mauritania
|
South Africa
|
|
|---|---|---|
| % of world population |
0.06%
2024 |
0.79%
2024 |
| Annual migration change |
-5,044
2025 |
+146,370
2025 |
| Urban population |
60.6%
2024 |
63.7%
2024 |
| Male:Female ratio |
49.1:50.9
2024 |
48.7:51.3
2024 |
| Average male height |
5.43 ft
2025 |
5.56 ft
2025 |
| Average female height |
5.25 ft
2025 |
5.2 ft
2025 |
| Quality of life index |
28.7
2026 |
42.1
2026 |
| Corruption Perceptions Index |
30
2025 |
41
2025 |
| Higher education index |
15
2026 |
81
2026 |
| Homicides per 100K people |
1.02
2020 |
45.5
2022 |
| Road traffic mortality per 100K people |
25.6
2019 |
22.2
2019 |
| Visa free countries |
63
2025 |
109
2025 |
| Adult literacy rate |
67%
2021 |
91.2%
2024 |
| English speaking |
4%
2025 |
31%
2023 |
| People using the Internet |
37.4%
2023 |
75.7%
2023 |
Health
|
Mauritania
|
South Africa
|
|
|---|---|---|
| Government health expenditure per capita |
$92.1
2023 |
$537
2023 |
| Out-of-pocket health expenditure per capita |
$40.3
2023 |
$35.9
2023 |
| Life expectancy |
69.2 years
2026 |
66.7 years
2026 |
| Foreign aid share of health expenditure |
19.5%
2023 |
2.06%
2023 |
| Physicians per 1,000 people |
0.26
2022 |
0.79
2022 |
| Age at first childbirth |
21.8 years
2025 |
n/a |
| Maternal mortality per 100K births |
381
2023 |
118
2023 |
| Mortality rate before reaching 5 years of age |
37.8
2023 |
34.7
2023 |
| Obesity rate |
23%
2022 |
31.4%
2022 |
| Diabetes prevalence |
5.2%
2024 |
7.2%
2024 |
| Air quality index |
26
2026 |
39
2026 |
| Tobacco use prevalence |
9.5%
2022 |
20.7%
2022 |
| Pure alcohol consumption per capita |
0 liters
2020 |
7.13 liters
2020 |
Territory
|
Mauritania
|
South Africa
|
|
|---|---|---|
| % of world land |
0.69%
2026 |
0.81%
2026 |
| Land area per capita |
76,983 sq mi
2024 |
7,318 sq mi
2024 |
| Agricultural land area |
153,321 sq mi
2026 |
371,975 sq mi
2026 |
| Forest area |
1,145 sq mi
2026 |
65,409 sq mi
2026 |
| Roads length |
7,614 mi
2018 |
466,028 mi
2016 |
In-depth comparisons
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Data sources:
- World Bank | Health (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-04-06)
- United Nations | World Population Prospects (1950–2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
- U.S. Census Bureau (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-02-08)
- Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2000–2025, retrieved 2026-02-20)
- International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (2024, retrieved 2026-02-20)
- LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2025-10-14)
- World Obesity Federation (2022, retrieved 2026-02-08)
- Passport Index (2025, retrieved 2026-02-08)
- Transparency International (2025, retrieved 2026-02-10)
- The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
- EduRank (2026, retrieved 2025-10-13)
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