Mauritania Urban Population
Urban population as % of total SP.URB.TOTL.IN.ZS
Mauritania's urban population was 61.52% in 2025, ranked 123rd globally. This represents a 1.5% increase from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1960–2025.
Overview
Mauritania's urban population stood at 61.52% in 2025, a rise of +0.91% from 2024. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 61.52% by 2025. Mauritania ranked 123rd globally.
Mauritania’s urban share has risen dramatically from 6.86 percent in 1960 to 61.52 percent in 2025, marking the highest level recorded over the 66‑year series and placing the country at rank 123 globally. This acceleration reflects sustained rural‑to‑urban migration and expanding city infrastructure, particularly around the capital Nouakchott, where economic diversification and service‑sector growth have concentrated employment opportunities. The 2025 figure of 61.52 percent narrowly exceeds that of Portugal (61.34 percent) and lies just below Georgia (61.70 percent), underscoring Mauritania’s convergence with middle‑income peers in urbanisation intensity. The early low of 6.86 percent in 1960 illustrates the country’s historically agrarian character, while the recent peak coincides with national policies promoting urban development and housing. If current investments in metropolitan planning and rural development are maintained, the urban proportion is likely to continue climbing modestly, though a shift toward balanced regional growth could temper the upward trajectory.
Data & projection
| Year | Urban Population | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2027* trend | 63.33% | - | - |
| 2026* trend | 62.43% | - | - |
| 2025* trend | 61.52% | - | - |
| 2025 | 61.52% | +0.91% | #123 |
| 2024 | 60.61% | +0.89% | #93 |
| 2023 | 59.71% | +0.90% | #92 |
| 2022 | 58.81% | +0.91% | #90 |
| 2021 | 57.90% | +0.92% | #89 |
| 2020 | 56.98% | +0.92% | #86 |
| 2019 | 56.06% | +0.93% | #85 |
| 2018 | 55.13% | +0.93% | #84 |
| 2017 | 54.20% | +1.28% | #83 |
| 2016 | 52.92% | +1.25% | #78 |
| 2015 | 51.67% | +1.20% | #77 |
| 2014 | 50.47% | +1.11% | #76 |
| 2013 | 49.36% | +1.08% | #74 |
| 2012 | 48.27% | +1.14% | #74 |
| 2011 | 47.14% | +1.18% | #73 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Mauritania matched the Export Boom Cycle pattern in 2006. Historically, 71% of countries showing this pattern (546 out of 768) saw urban population improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Mauritania's urban population was 61.52% in 2025. Ranked 123rd globally. This represents a 1.5% increase from the previous year.
Mauritania's urban population peaked at 61.52% in 2025.
The lowest urban population in Mauritania was 6.86% in 1960.
Mauritania ranks 123rd globally in urban population as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is SP.URB.TOTL.IN.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
Mauritania's urban population is projected to reach 61.52% by 2025 based on trend extrapolation.
The urban population of Mauritania in 2025 was 61.52%. This ranks 123rd in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_mauritania_urban-population,
title = {Mauritania Urban Population},
url = {https://historysaid.com/mauritania/urban-population/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}