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JOINT SITUATIONAL ANALYSIS
Mauritania, located in West Africa, shares its borders with the Atlantic Ocean to the west, Senegal to the south, Mali to the east and southeast, Algeria to the northeast, and Western Sahara to the northwest. The country covers an area of about 1.03 million square kilometres and has a geography characterized by a mix of desert (Sahara) and semi-arid (Sahel) areas in the south, along the Senegal River Valley.
Mauritania’s total population is estimated at 4.6 million, with a population growth rate of about 2.6 per cent; 56.9 per cent of the population lives in poverty. Of this population, 18.4 per cent are children under the age of five and 23 per cent are women of childbearing age. The majority of the population is young, with 44 per cent under the age of 15 and 76 per cent under the age of 35. This demographic structure generates a high demand for access to essential services such as education, health care and employment.
However, vulnerabilities and needs vary by region and gender. Gender inequalities persist due to factors such as women’s empowerment, workload, exploitation and traditional community norms, which particularly affects women and youth in poverty and unemployment.
Mauritania has significant natural resources, including iron ore, copper, oil, and natural gas reserves. However, the economy remains vulnerable to fluctuations in commodity prices. The agricultural sector is underdeveloped, and a large part of the population depends on livestock and fishing for its livelihoods.
Economic growth in Mauritania accelerated significantly from 2.4 per cent in 2021 to 5.2 per cent in 2022, thanks to a significant increase in exports and resilient private consumption. However, despite this positive momentum, growth remains slightly below pre-pandemic levels and potential. At the same time, average annual inflation rose significantly from 3.6 per cent in 2021 to 9.5 per cent in 2022, due to higher commodity prices on the international market.
Despite the fact that the country is trying to recover from the economic and social repercussions of the COVID-19 pandemic, it continues to face different challenges:
Poverty: A significant proportion of the population lives in poverty, especially in remote rural areas and desert areas.
Access to health care: Access to basic health services remains limited, especially in rural areas, impacting the overall health of the population.
Food insecurity: Drought and climatic hazards are having a negative impact on food security, especially in the northern desert regions. Food price inflation is exacerbating this situation.
Impacts of crises and disasters: Mauritania is vulnerable to food crises, floods, and other natural disasters that can destabilize people’s livelihoods.
Climate change and environmental issues: During the period 2000-2021, Mauritania was ranked third among the countries in sub-Saharan Africa most affected by climate events in terms of their impact on the population. The country faces the challenges of climate change, desertification and environmental degradation, which affect natural resources and the lives of local communities.
Politics: Mauritania’s political history has been marked by periods of instability and coups. However, in recent years, efforts have been made to strengthen the democratic system, including with a peaceful transition in 2019. The next presidential elections scheduled for 2024 will be held in a context marked by the ongoing trial of the president in office since 2019 and a weakened opposition to the ruling party’s dominance in parliament. The key issue for the democratic consolidation of the country will be the transparency of these upcoming elections.