Population of Mauritania 2026
Rapid population growth in Mauritania
Source: World Bank — SP.POP.TOTL.
Population pyramid — Mauritania
Aggregated age bands from the World Bank; sex split approximated by the overall female ratio.
The population of Mauritania in 2026 is about 5,303,269 people, according to the latest United Nations estimates. It grows at an annual rate of about 2.6%.
Mauritania covers about 1,030,700 km², with Nouakchott as its capital, giving a population density of around 5 people per km².
Mauritania holds a medium position in terms of population size. Its population growth is among the fastest, driven by high fertility rates, placing growing pressure on services and infrastructure. It has a low population density, spread across a vast, largely empty area.
سكان قليلون على مساحة صحراوية شاسعة، مع تركّز متزايد في العاصمة نواكشوط.