Share of population living in urban and rural areas in Mauritania
Mauritania: Share of population living in urban and rural areas was 61.5% in 2025. ◆ Volatile
Share of population living in urban and rural areas in Mauritania, 1950–2025
Source: United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Population Division (2025) – with minor processing by Our World in Data. Measured in %.
Analysis
Mauritania recorded 61.5% for share of population living in urban and rural areas in 2025. That is the highest value across all 76 years on record.
The figure is up 1.5% on the previous year and up 19.0% over ten years.
Over the whole period, share of population living in urban and rural areas in Mauritania peaked at 61.5% in 2025 and was at its lowest, 2.6%, in 1950.
Mauritania ranks 137th of 236 countries on this measure, in the middle of the range.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1950s | 4.2% | 2.6% | 6.3% | 10 |
| 1960s | 10.1% | 6.9% | 14.0% | 10 |
| 1970s | 20.5% | 15.1% | 26.7% | 10 |
| 1980s | 35.8% | 28.7% | 39.6% | 10 |
| 1990s | 38.8% | 38.1% | 39.5% | 10 |
| 2000s | 40.6% | 38.1% | 44.8% | 10 |
| 2010s | 51.1% | 46.0% | 56.1% | 10 |
| 2020s | 59.3% | 57.0% | 61.5% | 6 |
Countries ranked near Mauritania
More population data for Mauritania
- World population growth 0.6% (2100)
- Population density 16.61 people per km² (2100)
- Number of children under 5, by world region 1.22 million people (2100)
- Population growth rate, by level of development 0.6% (2100)
- Total fertility rate vs. contraceptive prevalence 4.62 births per woman (2024)
- Fertility rate vs. unmet need for contraception 4.62 births per woman (2024)
- Refugees by country of asylum 155,193 people (2024)
- Total fertility rate vs. wanted fertility rate 4.62 births per woman (2024)
- Fertility rate vs. Share of people who are religious 4.7 live births per woman (2023)
- Fertility rate accounting for survival until childbearing age 4.45 children per women (2023)
Frequently asked questions
- What is share of population living in urban and rural areas in Mauritania?
- Share of population living in urban and rural areas in Mauritania was 61.5% in 2025, according to United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Population Division (2025) – with minor processing by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest share of population living in urban and rural areas recorded in Mauritania?
- The highest recorded value was 61.5% in 2025.
- What is the lowest share of population living in urban and rural areas recorded in Mauritania?
- The lowest recorded value was 2.6% in 1950.
- How does Mauritania rank for share of population living in urban and rural areas?
- Mauritania ranks 137th out of 236 countries with data for 2025.
- Is share of population living in urban and rural areas rising or falling in Mauritania?
- Over the last ten years it is up 19.0%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Mauritania data come from?
- The figures come from United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Population Division (2025) – with minor processing by Our World in Data, published as part of Share of population living in urban and rural areas. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Share of the population living in urban areas, based on each country's national definition.