2011 Edition

Background

Independent from France in 1960, Mauritania annexed the southern third of the former Spanish Sahara (now Western Sahara) in 1976 but relinquished it after three years of raids by the Polisario guerrilla front seeking independence for the territory. Maaouya Ould Sid Ahmed TAYA seized power in a coup in 1984 and ruled Mauritania with a heavy hand for more than two decades. A series of presidential elections that he held were widely seen as flawed. A bloodless coup in August 2005 deposed President TAYA and ushered in a military council that oversaw a transition to democratic rule. Independent candidate Sidi Ould Cheikh ABDALLAHI was inaugurated in April 2007 as Mauritania's first freely and fairly elected president. His term ended prematurely in August 2008 when a military junta led by General Mohamed Ould Abdel AZIZ deposed him and ushered in a military council government. AZIZ was subsequently elected president in July 2009 and sworn in the following month. The country continues to experience ethnic tensions among its black population (Afro-Mauritanians) and white and black Moor (Arab-Berber) communities, and is having to confront a growing terrorism threat by al-Qa'ida in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM).

Area

1,030,700 sq km 1,030,700 sq km 0 sq km

total

1,030,700 sq km

water

0 sq km

Area - comparative

slightly larger than three times the size of New Mexico

Climate

desert; constantly hot, dry, dusty

Coastline

754 km

Elevation extremes

Sebkhet Te-n-Dghamcha -5 m Kediet Ijill 915 m

highest point

Kediet Ijill 915 m

lowest point

Sebkhet Te-n-Dghamcha -5 m

Environment - current issues

overgrazing, deforestation, and soil erosion aggravated by drought are contributing to desertification; limited natural freshwater resources away from the Senegal, which is the only perennial river; locust infestation

Environment - international agreements

Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands, Whaling none of the selected agreements

party to

Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands, Whaling

signed, but not ratified

none of the selected agreements

Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural)

1.7 cu km/yr (9%/3%/88%) 554 cu m/yr (2000)

per capita

554 cu m/yr (2000)

total

1.7 cu km/yr (9%/3%/88%)

Geographic coordinates

20 00 N, 12 00 W

Geography - note

most of the population is concentrated in the cities of Nouakchott and Nouadhibou and along the Senegal River in the southern part of the country

Irrigated land

450 sq km (2008)

Land boundaries

5,074 km Algeria 463 km, Mali 2,237 km, Senegal 813 km, Western Sahara 1,561 km

border countries

Algeria 463 km, Mali 2,237 km, Senegal 813 km, Western Sahara 1,561 km

total

5,074 km

Land use

0.2% 0.01% 99.79% (2005)

arable land

0.2%

other

99.79% (2005)

permanent crops

0.01%

Location

Northern Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between Senegal and Western Sahara

Map references

Africa

Maritime claims

12 nm 24 nm 200 nm 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin

contiguous zone

24 nm

continental shelf

200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin

exclusive economic zone

200 nm

territorial sea

12 nm

Natural hazards

hot, dry, dust/sand-laden sirocco wind blows primarily in March and April; periodic droughts

Natural resources

iron ore, gypsum, copper, phosphate, diamonds, gold, oil, fish

Terrain

mostly barren, flat plains of the Sahara; some central hills

Total renewable water resources

11.4 cu km (1997)

Age structure

40.4% (male 665,314/female 660,352) 56.2% (male 866,859/female 975,821) 3.5% (male 48,075/female 65,213) (2011 est.)

0-14 years

40.4% (male 665,314/female 660,352)

15-64 years

56.2% (male 866,859/female 975,821)

65 years and over

3.5% (male 48,075/female 65,213) (2011 est.)

Birth rate

33.23 births/1,000 population (2011 est.)

Children under the age of 5 years underweight

16.7% (2008)

Death rate

8.83 deaths/1,000 population (July 2011 est.)

Drinking water source

urban: 52% of population rural: 47% of population total: 49% of population urban: 48% of population rural: 53% of population total: 51% of population (2008)

rural

53% of population

total

51% of population (2008)

urban

48% of population

Education expenditures

4.4% of GDP (2008)

Ethnic groups

mixed Moor/black 40%, Moor 30%, black 30%

Health expenditures

5.7% of GDP (2009)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

0.7% (2009 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths

fewer than 1,000 (2009 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

14,000 (2009 est.)

Hospital bed density

0.4 beds/1,000 population (2006)

Infant mortality rate

60.42 deaths/1,000 live births 65.55 deaths/1,000 live births 55.13 deaths/1,000 live births (2011 est.)

female

55.13 deaths/1,000 live births (2011 est.)

total

60.42 deaths/1,000 live births

Languages

Arabic (official and national), Pulaar, Soninke, Wolof (all national languages), French, Hassaniya

Life expectancy at birth

61.14 years 58.94 years 63.41 years (2011 est.)

female

63.41 years (2011 est.)

total population

61.14 years

Literacy

age 15 and over can read and write 51.2% 59.5% 43.4% (2000 census)

definition

age 15 and over can read and write

female

43.4% (2000 census)

male

59.5%

total population

51.2%

Major cities - population

NOUAKCHOTT (capital) 709,000 (2009)

Major infectious diseases

high bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever malaria and Rift Valley fever meningococcal meningitis rabies (2009)

animal contact disease

rabies (2009)

degree of risk

high

food or waterborne diseases

bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever

respiratory disease

meningococcal meningitis

vectorborne diseases

malaria and Rift Valley fever

Maternal mortality rate

550 deaths/100,000 live births (2008)

Median age

19.5 years 18.6 years 20.4 years (2011 est.)

female

20.4 years (2011 est.)

male

18.6 years

total

19.5 years

Nationality

Mauritanian(s) Mauritanian

adjective

Mauritanian

noun

Mauritanian(s)

Net migration rate

-0.91 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2011 est.)

Physicians density

0.13 physicians/1,000 population (2009)

Population

3,281,634 (July 2011 est.)

Population growth rate

2.349% (2011 est.)

Religions

Muslim (official) 100%

Sanitation facility access

urban: 50% of population rural: 9% of population total: 26% of population urban: 50% of population rural: 91% of population total: 74% of population (2008)

rural

91% of population

total

74% of population (2008)

urban

50% of population

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

8 years 8 years 8 years (2007)

female

8 years (2007)

male

8 years

total

8 years

Sex ratio

1.03 male(s)/female 1.01 male(s)/female 0.89 male(s)/female 0.74 male(s)/female 0.93 male(s)/female (2011 est.)

15-64 years

0.89 male(s)/female

65 years and over

0.74 male(s)/female

at birth

1.03 male(s)/female

total population

0.93 male(s)/female (2011 est.)

under 15 years

1.01 male(s)/female

Total fertility rate

4.3 children born/woman (2011 est.)

Urbanization

41% of total population (2010) 2.9% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

rate of urbanization

2.9% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

urban population

41% of total population (2010)

Administrative divisions

13 regions (wilayas, singular - wilaya); Adrar, Assaba, Brakna, Dakhlet Nouadhibou, Gorgol, Guidimaka, Hodh ech Chargui, Hodh El Gharbi, Inchiri, Nouakchott, Tagant, Tiris Zemmour, Trarza

Capital

Nouakchott 18 07 N, 16 02 W UTC 0 (5 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)

geographic coordinates

18 07 N, 16 02 W

name

Nouakchott

time difference

UTC 0 (5 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)

Constitution

12 July 1991

Country name

Islamic Republic of Mauritania Mauritania Al Jumhuriyah al Islamiyah al Muritaniyah Muritaniyah

conventional long form

Islamic Republic of Mauritania

conventional short form

Mauritania

local long form

Al Jumhuriyah al Islamiyah al Muritaniyah

local short form

Muritaniyah

Diplomatic representation from the US

Ambassador Jo Ellen POWELL 288 Rue Abdallaye, Rue 42-100 (between Presidency building and Spanish Embassy), Nouakchott BP 222, Nouakchott [222] 525-2660 through 2663 [222] 525-1592

chief of mission

Ambassador Jo Ellen POWELL

embassy

288 Rue Abdallaye, Rue 42-100 (between Presidency building and Spanish Embassy), Nouakchott

FAX

[222] 525-1592

mailing address

BP 222, Nouakchott

telephone

[222] 525-2660 through 2663

Diplomatic representation in the US

Ambassador Mohamed Lemine El HAYCEN 2129 Leroy Place NW, Washington, DC 20008 [1] (202) 232-5700 through 5701 [1] (202) 319-2623

chancery

2129 Leroy Place NW, Washington, DC 20008

chief of mission

Ambassador Mohamed Lemine El HAYCEN

FAX

[1] (202) 319-2623

telephone

[1] (202) 232-5700 through 5701

Executive branch

President Mohamed Ould Abdel AZIZ (since 5 August 2009); note - AZIZ, who deposed democratically elected President Sidi Ould Cheikh ABDELLAHI in a coup and installed himself as President of the High State Council on 6 August 2008, retired from the military and stepped down from the Presidency in April 2009 to run for president; he was elected president in an election held on 18 July 2009 Prime Minister Moulaye Ould Mohamed LAGHDAF (since 14 August 2008) Council of Ministers following the August 2008 coup, the High State Council planned to hold a new presidential election in June 2009; the election was subsequently rescheduled to 18 July 2009 following the Dakar Accords, which brought Mauritania back to constitutional rule; under Mauritania's constitution, the president elected by popular vote for a five-year term; election last held on 18 July 2009 (next to be held by 2014) percent of vote - Mohamed Ould Abdel AZIZ 52.6%, Messaoud Ould BOULKHEIR 16.3%, Ahmed Ould DADDAH 13.7%, other 17.4%

cabinet

Council of Ministers

chief of state

President Mohamed Ould Abdel AZIZ (since 5 August 2009); note - AZIZ, who deposed democratically elected President Sidi Ould Cheikh ABDELLAHI in a coup and installed himself as President of the High State Council on 6 August 2008, retired from the military and stepped down from the Presidency in April 2009 to run for president; he was elected president in an election held on 18 July 2009

election results

percent of vote - Mohamed Ould Abdel AZIZ 52.6%, Messaoud Ould BOULKHEIR 16.3%, Ahmed Ould DADDAH 13.7%, other 17.4%

elections

following the August 2008 coup, the High State Council planned to hold a new presidential election in June 2009; the election was subsequently rescheduled to 18 July 2009 following the Dakar Accords, which brought Mauritania back to constitutional rule; under Mauritania's constitution, the president elected by popular vote for a five-year term; election last held on 18 July 2009 (next to be held by 2014)

head of government

Prime Minister Moulaye Ould Mohamed LAGHDAF (since 14 August 2008)

Flag description

green with a yellow five-pointed star above a yellow, horizontal crescent; the closed side of the crescent is down; the crescent, star, and color green are traditional symbols of Islam; the gold color stands for the sands of the Sahara

Government type

military junta

Independence

28 November 1960 (from France)

International law organization participation

has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt

International organization participation

ABEDA, ACP, AfDB, AFESD, AMF, AMU, AU, CAEU, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITSO, ITU, ITUC, LAS, MIGA, NAM, OIC, OIF, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO

Judicial branch

Supreme Court or Cour Supreme; Court of Appeals; lower courts

Legal system

mixed legal system of Islamic and French civil law

Legislative branch

bicameral legislature consists of the Senate or Majlis al-Shuyukh (56 seats; 53 members elected by municipal leaders and 3 members elected for Mauritanians abroad to serve six-year terms; a portion of seats up for election every two years) and the National Assembly or Al Jamiya Al Wataniya (95 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) Senate - last held in November 2009; National Assembly - last held on 19 November and 3 December 2006 (election scheduled for 16 October 2011 postponed) Senate - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - CPM (Coalition of Majority Parties) 45, COD 7, RNRD-TAWASSOUL 4; National Assembly - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - CPM 63 (UPR 50, PRDR 7, UDP 3, HATEM-PMUC 2, RD 1), COD 27 (RFD 9, UFP 6, APP 6, PNDD-ADIL 6), RNRD-TAWASSOUL 4, FP 1

election results

Senate - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - CPM (Coalition of Majority Parties) 45, COD 7, RNRD-TAWASSOUL 4; National Assembly - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - CPM 63 (UPR 50, PRDR 7, UDP 3, HATEM-PMUC 2, RD 1), COD 27 (RFD 9, UFP 6, APP 6, PNDD-ADIL 6), RNRD-TAWASSOUL 4, FP 1

elections

Senate - last held in November 2009; National Assembly - last held on 19 November and 3 December 2006 (election scheduled for 16 October 2011 postponed)

National anthem

"Hymne National de la Republique Islamique de Mauritanie" (National Anthem of the Islamic Republic of Mauritania) Baba Ould CHEIKH/traditional, arranged by Tolia NIKIPROWETZKY adopted 1960; the unique rhythm of the Mauritanian anthem makes it particularly challenging to sing

lyrics/music

Baba Ould CHEIKH/traditional, arranged by Tolia NIKIPROWETZKY

name

"Hymne National de la Republique Islamique de Mauritanie" (National Anthem of the Islamic Republic of Mauritania)

National holiday

Independence Day, 28 November (1960)

National symbol(s)

star and crescent

Political parties and leaders

Alternative or El-Badil [Mohamed Yahdhi Ould MOCTAR HACEN]; Coalition of Majority Parties or CPM (parties supporting the regime including PRDR, UPR, RD, HATEM-PMUC, UCD); Coordination of Democratic Opposition or COD (coalition of opposition political parties opposed to the government including APP, RFD, UFP, PNDD-ADIL, Alternative or El-Badil); Democratic Renewal or RD [Moustapha Ould ABDEIDARRAHMANE]; Mauritanian Party for Unity and Change or HATEM-PMUC [Saleh Ould HANENA]; National Pact for Democracy and Development or PNDD-ADIL [Yahya Ould Ahmed Ould WAGHEF] (independents formerly supporting President Abdellahi); National Rally for Freedom, Democracy and Equality or RNDLE; National Rally for Reform and Development or RNRD-TAWASSOUL [Mohamed Jamil MANSOUR] (moderate Islamists); Popular Front or FP [Ch'bih Ould CHEIKH MALAININE]; Popular Progressive Alliance or APP [Messoud Ould BOULKHEIR]; Rally of Democratic Forces or RFD [Ahmed Ould DADDAH]; Republican Party for Democracy and Renewal or PRDR [Mintata Mint HDEID]; Socialist and Democratic Unity Party or PUDS; Union for Democracy and Progress or UDP [Naha Mint MOUKNASS]; Union for the Republic or UPR; Union of Democratic Center or UCD [Cheikh Sid'Ahmed Ould BABA]; Union of the Forces for Progress or UFP [Mohamed Ould MAOULOUD];

Political pressure groups and leaders

General Confederation of Mauritanian Workers or CGTM [Abdallahi Ould MOHAMED, secretary general]; Independent Confederation of Mauritanian Workers or CLTM [Samory Ould BEYE]; Mauritanian Workers Union or UTM [Mohamed Ely Ould BRAHIM, secretary general] Arab nationalists; Ba'thists; Islamists

other

Arab nationalists; Ba'thists; Islamists

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Agriculture - products

dates, millet, sorghum, rice, corn; cattle, sheep

Budget

$934.4 million $1.078 billion (2010 est.)

expenditures

$1.078 billion (2010 est.)

revenues

$934.4 million

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

-3.8% of GDP (2010 est.)

Central bank discount rate

9% (31 December 2009 est.) 12% (31 December 2007)

Commercial bank prime lending rate

17% (31 December 2010 est.) 19.5% (31 December 2009 est.)

Current account balance

-$378.7 million (2010 est.) -$412.7 million (2009 est.)

Debt - external

$2.344 billion (31 December 2010 est.) $2.03 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Distribution of family income - Gini index

39 (2000) 37.3 (1995)

Economy - overview

Half the population still depends on agriculture and livestock for a livelihood, even though many of the nomads and subsistence farmers were forced into the cities by recurrent droughts in the 1970s and 1980s. Mauritania has extensive deposits of iron ore, which account for nearly 40% of total exports. The nation's coastal waters are among the richest fishing areas in the world but overexploitation by foreigners threatens this key source of revenue. The country's first deepwater port opened near Nouakchott in 1986. Before 2000, drought and economic mismanagement resulted in a buildup of foreign debt. In February 2000, Mauritania qualified for debt relief under the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) initiative and nearly all of its foreign debt has since been forgiven. A new investment code approved in December 2001 improved the opportunities for direct foreign investment. Mauritania and the IMF agreed to a three-year Poverty Reduction and Growth Facility (PRGF) arrangement in 2006. Mauritania made satisfactory progress, but the IMF, World Bank, and other international actors suspended assistance and investment in Mauritania after the August 2008 coup. Since the presidential election in July 2009, donors have resumed assistance. Oil prospects, while initially promising, have largely failed to materialize, and the government has placed a priority on attracting private investment to spur economic growth. The Government also emphasizes reduction of poverty, improvement of health and education, and privatization of the economy.

Electricity - consumption

508.7 million kWh (2008 est.)

Electricity - exports

0 kWh (2009 est.)

Electricity - imports

0 kWh (2009 est.)

Electricity - production

547 million kWh (2008 est.)

Exchange rates

ouguiyas (MRO) per US dollar - 261.5 (2010 est.) 262.4 (2009) 238.2 (2008) 258.6 (2007) 271.3 (2006)

Exports

$2.04 billion (2010 est.) $1.37 billion (2009 est.)

Exports - commodities

iron ore, fish and fish products, gold, copper, petroleum

Exports - partners

China 41.5%, France 9%, Cote dIvoire 6.3%, Italy 6.2%, Japan 6%, Spain 5.6%, Netherlands 4% (2010)

GDP - composition by sector

20% 36.3% 43.7% (2010 est.)

agriculture

20%

industry

36.3%

services

43.7% (2010 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$2,100 (2010 est.) $2,000 (2009 est.) $2,100 (2008 est.) data are in 2010 US dollars

GDP - real growth rate

4.7% (2010 est.) -1.2% (2009 est.) 3.5% (2008 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$3.799 billion (2010 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$6.655 billion (2010 est.) $6.358 billion (2009 est.) $6.437 billion (2008 est.) data are in 2010 US dollars

Household income or consumption by percentage share

2.5% 29.5% (2000)

highest 10%

29.5% (2000)

lowest 10%

2.5%

Imports

$2.029 billion (2010 est.) $1.45 billion (2009 est.)

Imports - commodities

machinery and equipment, petroleum products, capital goods, foodstuffs, consumer goods

Imports - partners

China 12.3%, France 11.4%, Netherlands 10.8%, Belgium 5.7%, Brazil 4.6%, Spain 4.5% (2010)

Industrial production growth rate

2% (2000 est.)

Industries

fish processing, oil production, mining of iron ore, gold, and copper gypsum deposits have never been exploited

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

6.3% (2010 est.) 2% (2009 est.)

Investment (gross fixed)

28.6% of GDP (2010 est.)

Labor force

1.318 million (2007)

Labor force - by occupation

50% 10% 40% (2001 est.)

agriculture

50%

industry

10%

services

40% (2001 est.)

Market value of publicly traded shares

$NA

Natural gas - consumption

0 cu m (2009 est.)

Natural gas - exports

0 cu m (2009 est.)

Natural gas - imports

0 cu m (2009 est.)

Natural gas - production

0 cu m (2009 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves

28.32 billion cu m (1 January 2011 est.)

Oil - consumption

20,000 bbl/day (2010 est.)

Oil - exports

10,000 bbl/day (2009 est.)

Oil - imports

17,750 bbl/day (2009 est.)

Oil - production

11,640 bbl/day (2010 est.)

Oil - proved reserves

100 million bbl (1 January 2011 est.)

Population below poverty line

40% (2004 est.)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$280 million (31 December 2010 est.) $238 million (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of broad money

$1.137 billion (31 December 2010 est.) $1.061 billion 31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of domestic credit

$1.718 billion (31 December 2010 est.) $1.603 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of narrow money

$940.5 million (31 December 2010 est.) $886 million (31 December 2009 est.)

Taxes and other revenues

24.6% of GDP (2010 est.)

Unemployment rate

30% (2008 est.) 20% (2004 est.)

Broadcast media

broadcast media state-owned; 1 state-run TV and 1 state-run radio network; Television de Mauritanie, the state-run TV station, has an additional 6 regional TV stations that provide local programming (2008)

Internet country code

.mr

Internet hosts

23 (2010)

Internet users

75,000 (2009)

Telephone system

limited system of cable and open-wire lines, minor microwave radio relay links, and radiotelephone communications stations; mobile-cellular services expanding rapidly Mauritel, the national telecommunications company, was privatized in 2001 but remains the monopoly provider of fixed-line services; fixed-line teledensity 2 per 100 persons; mobile-cellular network coverage extends mainly to urban areas with a teledensity of 70 per 100 persons; mostly cable and open-wire lines; a domestic satellite telecommunications system links Nouakchott with regional capitals country code - 222; satellite earth stations - 3 (1 Intelsat - Atlantic Ocean, 2 Arabsat); fiber-optic and Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line (ADSL) cables for Internet access (2008)

domestic

Mauritel, the national telecommunications company, was privatized in 2001 but remains the monopoly provider of fixed-line services; fixed-line teledensity 2 per 100 persons; mobile-cellular network coverage extends mainly to urban areas with a teledensity of 70 per 100 persons; mostly cable and open-wire lines; a domestic satellite telecommunications system links Nouakchott with regional capitals

general assessment

limited system of cable and open-wire lines, minor microwave radio relay links, and radiotelephone communications stations; mobile-cellular services expanding rapidly

international

country code - 222; satellite earth stations - 3 (1 Intelsat - Atlantic Ocean, 2 Arabsat); fiber-optic and Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line (ADSL) cables for Internet access (2008)

Telephones - main lines in use

71,600 (2010)

Telephones - mobile cellular

2.745 million (2010)

Airports

28 (2010)

Airports - with paved runways

4 (2010)

1,524 to 2,437 m

4 (2010)

2,438 to 3,047 m

5

total

9

Airports - with unpaved runways

2 (2010)

1,524 to 2,437 m

9

914 to 1,523 m

8

total

19

under 914 m

2 (2010)

Ports and terminals

Nouadhibou, Nouakchott

Railways

728 km 728 km 1.435-m gauge (2010)

standard gauge

728 km 1.435-m gauge (2010)

Roadways

11,066 km 2,966 km 8,100 km (2006)

total

11,066 km

unpaved

8,100 km (2006)

Waterways

(some is navigation possible on the Senegal River) (2010)

Manpower available for military service

718,713 804,622 (2010 est.)

females age 16-49

804,622 (2010 est.)

males age 16-49

718,713

Manpower fit for military service

480,042 581,473 (2010 est.)

females age 16-49

581,473 (2010 est.)

males age 16-49

480,042

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually

36,116 36,826 (2010 est.)

female

36,826 (2010 est.)

male

36,116

Military branches

Mauritanian Armed Forces: Army, Mauritanian Navy (Marine Mauritanienne; includes naval infantry), Islamic Air Force of Mauritania (Force Aerienne Islamique de Mauritanie, FAIM) (2011)

Mauritanian Armed Forces

Army, Mauritanian Navy (Marine Mauritanienne; includes naval infantry), Islamic Air Force of Mauritania (Force Aerienne Islamique de Mauritanie, FAIM) (2011)

Military expenditures

5.5% of GDP (2006)

Military service age and obligation

18 years of age for obligatory consription of all males; conscript service obligation - 2 years; majority of servicemen believed to be volunteers; service in Air Force and Navy is voluntary (2011)

Disputes - international

Mauritanian claims to Western Sahara remain dormant

Trafficking in persons

Mauritania is a source and destination country for men, women, and children subjected to conditions of forced labor and sex trafficking; women, men, and children from traditional slave castes are subjected to slavery-related practices rooted in ancestral master-slave relationships; Mauritanian boys called talibe are trafficked within the country by religious teachers for forced begging; Mauritanian girls, as well as girls from Mali, Senegal, The Gambia, and other West African countries, are forced into domestic servitude; Mauritanian women and girls are forced into prostitution in the country or transported to countries in the Middle East for the same purpose Tier 3 - the Government of Mauritania does not fully comply with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking and is not making significant efforts to do so; the government acknowledges that some forms of trafficking are a problem in the country, and during the year, it created a multi-stakeholder body to lead its efforts related to child trafficking, child smuggling, and child labor; hereditary slavery was officially outlawed in 2007, but many officials do not recognize that the practice continues despite its prohibition; the government did not take proactive measures to identify trafficking victims or provide them with protective services, and it continued to jail individuals in prostitution and detain illegal migrants without screening either population for trafficking victims (2011)

current situation

Mauritania is a source and destination country for men, women, and children subjected to conditions of forced labor and sex trafficking; women, men, and children from traditional slave castes are subjected to slavery-related practices rooted in ancestral master-slave relationships; Mauritanian boys called talibe are trafficked within the country by religious teachers for forced begging; Mauritanian girls, as well as girls from Mali, Senegal, The Gambia, and other West African countries, are forced into domestic servitude; Mauritanian women and girls are forced into prostitution in the country or transported to countries in the Middle East for the same purpose

tier rating

Tier 3 - the Government of Mauritania does not fully comply with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking and is not making significant efforts to do so; the government acknowledges that some forms of trafficking are a problem in the country, and during the year, it created a multi-stakeholder body to lead its efforts related to child trafficking, child smuggling, and child labor; hereditary slavery was officially outlawed in 2007, but many officials do not recognize that the practice continues despite its prohibition; the government did not take proactive measures to identify trafficking victims or provide them with protective services, and it continued to jail individuals in prostitution and detain illegal migrants without screening either population for trafficking victims (2011)