Urban Population: Mauritania
Mauritania's urban population is currently 60.6% as of 2024. # Mauritania Urban Population Mauritania's urban population reached 60.
Current (2024)
60.6%
+1.5% y/y
Peak (2024)
60.6%
Low (1960)
6.9%
Source
World Bank World Development Indicators
1960–2024 · 65 pts
Urban Population — Mauritania
1960 — 2024
Urban Population — Mauritania
Analysis# Mauritania Urban Population
Mauritania's urban population reached 60.607% in 2024, marking the highest level in recorded history. The nation has experienced extraordinary urbanization over six decades, transforming from a predominantly rural society where only 6.857% of the population lived in urban areas in 1960—a net increase of 783.9%. This dramatic shift reflects broader development patterns across the Sahel region, driven by rural-to-urban migration and economic restructuring.
The consistent upward trend accelerated noticeably after 2015, when the urban share stood at 51.668%. Annual growth has averaged approximately 1% per year through 2024, with no reversals in the trajectory. This steady momentum suggests Mauritania will continue its urbanization path, likely pushing past 65% within the next decade absent major demographic disruptions.
Historical Data
65 Rows| Year | Value | Change % |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 60.6% | +1.50% |
| 2023 | 59.7% | +1.53% |
| 2022 | 58.8% | +1.57% |
| 2021 | 57.9% | +1.61% |
| 2020 | 57.0% | +1.65% |
| 2019 | 56.1% | +1.69% |
| 2018 | 55.1% | +1.72% |
| 2017 | 54.2% | +2.42% |
| 2016 | 52.9% | +2.42% |
| 2015 | 51.7% | +2.38% |
| 2014 | 50.5% | +2.26% |
| 2013 | 49.4% | +2.24% |
| 2012 | 48.3% | +2.41% |
| 2011 | 47.1% | +2.57% |
| 2010 | 46.0% | +2.67% |
| 2009 | 44.8% | +2.71% |
| 2008 | 43.6% | +2.68% |
| 2007 | 42.4% | +2.58% |
| 2006 | 41.4% | +2.39% |
| 2005 | 40.4% | +2.12% |
Show all 65 rows
| Year | Value | Change % |
|---|---|---|
| 2004 | 39.6% | +1.75% |
| 2003 | 38.9% | +1.29% |
| 2002 | 38.4% | +0.74% |
| 2001 | 38.1% | +0.13% |
| 2000 | 38.1% | -0.12% |
| 1999 | 38.1% | -0.24% |
| 1998 | 38.2% | -0.34% |
| 1997 | 38.3% | -0.41% |
| 1996 | 38.5% | -0.45% |
| 1995 | 38.7% | -0.47% |
| 1994 | 38.8% | -0.47% |
| 1993 | 39.0% | -0.44% |
| 1992 | 39.2% | -0.39% |
| 1991 | 39.3% | -0.32% |
| 1990 | 39.5% | -0.22% |
| 1989 | 39.6% | -0.10% |
| 1988 | 39.6% | +0.41% |
| 1987 | 39.4% | +1.70% |
| 1986 | 38.8% | +2.89% |
| 1985 | 37.7% | +3.97% |
| 1984 | 36.2% | +4.94% |
| 1983 | 34.5% | +5.78% |
| 1982 | 32.7% | +6.48% |
| 1981 | 30.7% | +7.00% |
| 1980 | 28.7% | +7.27% |
| 1979 | 26.7% | +7.20% |
| 1978 | 24.9% | +6.58% |
| 1977 | 23.4% | +5.98% |
| 1976 | 22.1% | +5.91% |
| 1975 | 20.8% | +6.14% |
| 1974 | 19.6% | +6.38% |
| 1973 | 18.5% | +6.65% |
| 1972 | 17.3% | +6.91% |
| 1971 | 16.2% | +7.19% |
| 1970 | 15.1% | +7.50% |
| 1969 | 14.0% | +7.80% |
| 1968 | 13.0% | +8.13% |
| 1967 | 12.1% | +8.46% |
| 1966 | 11.1% | +8.82% |
| 1965 | 10.2% | +8.61% |
| 1964 | 9.4% | +7.43% |
| 1963 | 8.8% | +7.93% |
| 1962 | 8.1% | +8.51% |
| 1961 | 7.5% | +8.97% |
| 1960 | 6.9% | — |
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