National Debt (% of GDP): Mauritania

Analysis# Mauritania National Debt (% of GDP) Mauritania's national debt stood at 40.6% of GDP in 2026, reflecting substantial fiscal improvement over the past two decades. The country's debt burden peaked at 71.1% in 2005 before declining to a low of 22% in 2004—revealing significant volatility in the early 2000s. Since 2000, the overall debt-to-GDP ratio has contracted by 26.8 percentage points, positioning Mauritania well below its historical peak. The most dramatic recovery occurred from 2017 onward, when debt exceeded 55% and began a consistent downward trajectory. Annual reductions accelerated after 2020, dropping from 56.5% to 47.1% by 2023. The projected decline to 40.6% by 2026 suggests sustained fiscal consolidation efforts. If current trends hold, Mauritania's debt-to-GDP ratio will continue moderating, potentially approaching levels not seen since the mid-2000s.