Mauritania Population Density
People per sq. km of land area EN.POP.DNST
Mauritania's population density was 5.1 in 2025, ranked 204th globally. This represents a 5.4% increase from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1961–2025.
Overview
Mauritania's population density stood at 5.1 in 2025, a rise of +0.3 from 2023. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 5.1 by 2025. Mauritania ranked 204th globally.
Mauritania’s population density has risen steadily from a historic low of 0.82 people per square kilometer in 1961 to reach 5.14 in 2025, marking both an all-time peak and the most recent recorded value according to World Bank data. Over the 64-year coverage period, this sixfold increase reflects sustained population growth amid limited land area, though the country remains sparsely populated by global standards, ranked 204th worldwide. In comparative terms, Mauritania’s density in 2025 is slightly higher than Botswana’s 4.50 and close to Canada’s 4.72, all of which face similar challenges of vast arid or semi-arid territories constraining settlement patterns. Unlike peer Kazakhstan, which recorded 7.73, Mauritania’s population distribution is heavily influenced by desert conditions, with much of the population concentrated in the southern and western fringes. The upward trend in density is expected to continue given high fertility rates and urbanization pressures, particularly around Nouakchott. Future shifts in migration, climate resilience, or economic development tied to natural resource extraction could alter the pace of this trajectory, especially if habitable land expands or internal displacement intensifies.
Data & projection
| Year | Population Density | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026* trend | 5.3 | - | - |
| 2025* trend | 5.1 | - | - |
| 2025 | 5.1 | +0.3 | #204 |
| 2023 | 4.9 | +0.1 | #11 |
| 2022 | 4.7 | +0.1 | #11 |
| 2021 | 4.6 | +0.1 | #11 |
| 2020 | 4.5 | +0.1 | #11 |
| 2019 | 4.3 | +0.1 | #11 |
| 2018 | 4.2 | +0.1 | #11 |
| 2017 | 4.1 | +0.1 | #11 |
| 2016 | 4.0 | +0.1 | #10 |
| 2015 | 3.8 | +0.1 | #8 |
| 2014 | 3.7 | +0.1 | #8 |
| 2013 | 3.6 | +0.1 | #8 |
| 2012 | 3.5 | +0.1 | #7 |
| 2011 | 3.4 | +0.1 | #6 |
| 2010 | 3.3 | +0.1 | #6 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Mauritania matched the Export Boom Cycle pattern in 2006. Historically, 71% of countries showing this pattern (546 out of 768) saw population density improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Mauritania's population density was 5.1 in 2025. Ranked 204th globally. This represents a 5.4% increase from the previous year.
Mauritania's population density peaked at 5.1 in 2025.
The lowest population density in Mauritania was 0.8 in 1961.
Mauritania ranks 204th globally in population density as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is EN.POP.DNST. Data sourced from World Bank.
Mauritania's population density is projected to reach 5.1 by 2025 based on trend extrapolation.
The population density of Mauritania in 2025 was 5.1. This ranks 204th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_mauritania_population-density,
title = {Mauritania Population Density},
url = {https://historysaid.com/mauritania/population-density/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}