Overview of Mauritania

What the data shows 

 

Overall, Mauritania has made progress in economic growth, as shown by rising GDP and GDP per capita over time. However, this economic expansion has not fully translated into equitable social improvements. Trade continues to play a central role in the country’s economy, but persistent import dominance highlights continued reliance on external goods and markets.

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Education and employment data point to significant gender disparities. Although the number of children out of primary school has decreased, girls remain disproportionately affected. Youth unemployment shows a similar pattern: while male rates have stayed relatively stable, female unemployment has increased markedly since 2013, now exceeding 30% in recent years.

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These findings suggest that future development policies should focus not only on sustaining economic growth, but also on strengthening social inclusion, particularly for girls and young women. Investments in education access, targeted employment opportunities, and strategies to rebalance trade could help ensure that growth leads to broader and more sustainable development outcomes for the country.

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Data from the World Bank