Mauritania Labor Force Participation
Labor force participation rate SL.TLF.CACT.ZS
Mauritania's labor force participation was 40.77% in 2025, ranked 172nd globally. This represents a 0.3% decrease from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1990–2025.
Overview
Mauritania's labor force participation stood at 40.77% in 2025, a decline of +0.12pp from 2024. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 40.88% by 2026. Mauritania ranked 172nd globally.
Mauritania’s labor force participation rate has slipped from an all‑time peak of 46.48 % in 1990 to a trough of 40.55 % in 2020, before registering 40.77 % in 2025, placing the country 172nd globally. The 5.71‑percentage‑point decline over three decades reflects persistent structural constraints, including limited formal employment opportunities, a large informal sector, and demographic pressures from a youthful population. Compared with peers of similar rank, Mauritania’s 2025 rate is virtually identical to Algeria’s 40.78 % and slightly above Jordan’s 40.05 %, yet it lags behind Iran’s 40.97 % and trails Nepal’s 39.24 % by a narrow margin. The modest rebound from the 2020 trough suggests some recent policy efforts to expand vocational training and improve gender‑inclusive labor market access may be taking effect, but the upward movement remains fragile. Continued investment in education, diversification of the economy, and stronger social protection could reinforce the recovery and gradually raise participation toward pre‑1990 levels.
Data & projection
| Year | Labor Force Participation | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2028* trend | 40.89% | - | - |
| 2027* trend | 40.89% | - | - |
| 2026* trend | 40.88% | - | - |
| 2025 | 40.77% | −0.12pp | #172 |
| 2024 | 40.90% | −0.03pp | #172 |
| 2023 | 40.93% | −0.01pp | #174 |
| 2022 | 40.94% | +0.24pp | #174 |
| 2021 | 40.70% | +0.16pp | #174 |
| 2020 | 40.55% | −0.50pp | #174 |
| 2019 | 41.05% | −0.03pp | #175 |
| 2018 | 41.08% | −0.02pp | #177 |
| 2017 | 41.10% | −0.49pp | #177 |
| 2016 | 41.59% | −0.49pp | #177 |
| 2015 | 42.08% | −0.49pp | #176 |
| 2014 | 42.57% | −0.49pp | #175 |
| 2013 | 43.06% | −0.49pp | #173 |
| 2012 | 43.55% | −0.20pp | #173 |
| 2011 | 43.75% | −0.20pp | #172 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Mauritania matched the Export Boom Cycle pattern in 2006. Historically, 71% of countries showing this pattern (546 out of 768) saw labor force participation improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Mauritania's labor force participation was 40.77% in 2025. Ranked 172nd globally. This represents a 0.3% decrease from the previous year.
Mauritania's labor force participation peaked at 46.48% in 1990.
The lowest labor force participation in Mauritania was 40.55% in 2020.
Mauritania ranks 172nd globally in labor force participation as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is SL.TLF.CACT.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
Mauritania's labor force participation is projected to reach 40.88% by 2026 based on trend extrapolation.
The labor force participation of Mauritania in 2025 was 40.77%. This ranks 172nd in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_mauritania_labor-force-participation,
title = {Mauritania Labor Force Participation},
url = {https://historysaid.com/mauritania/labor-force-participation/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}