Updated
Overview
Algeria has 8.9 times the population of Mauritania: 47.44 million people against 5.32 million (2025).
Algeria's economy is 25 times the size of Mauritania's, at $287.03B versus $11.68B.
Per person, Algeria is the wealthier of the two: $6,051 against $2,198 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | Algeria | Mauritania | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | Higher: $287.03B | $11.68B | 2025 | $263.62B / $10.77B |
| GDP per capita | Higher: $6,051 | $2,198 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | 3.8% | Higher: 4.0% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | Lower: 1.4% | 1.5% | 2025 | 4.0% / 2.5% |
| Unemployment | 11.6% | Lower: 10.3% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 33 | 31 | 2025 / 2023 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | — | $1,650 | — / 2019 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | Higher: $149 | $81 | 2024 / 2022 | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 47.44 million | 5.32 million | 2025 | 47.74 million / 5.20 million |
| Population growth | 1.3% | 2.8% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 28.6 yrs | 17.4 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 2.67 | 4.56 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | Higher: 76.5 yrs | 68.7 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 76% | 61% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | Higher: 77% | 46% | 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 2,381,741 km² | 1,030,700 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 19.9/km² | 5.2/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 198 Mt | Lower: 5.24 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | 4.2 t | Lower: 1.0 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $21.81B | $260.06M | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 8.0% | 2.2% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 326,000 | 21,000 | 2020 | — / — |
Sources by row: World Bank WDI, IMF WEO, UN WPP 2024, ILOSTAT, The Economist. Emphasis marks the stronger figure where one direction is meaningfully better.
Reading the numbers
Economy
Both economies are growing at a similar pace (3.8% for Algeria, 4.0% for Mauritania).
Inflation is comparable in both: 1.4% in Algeria and 1.5% in Mauritania.
People and society
Mauritania is the far younger society: median age 17.4 versus 28.6 years.
Life expectancy is 7.8 years longer in Algeria (76.5 vs 68.7).
Algeria is considerably more urbanized: 76% of people live in cities, against 61%.
Internet adoption is higher in Algeria (77% vs 46% of the population).
Geography
By land area, Algeria is 2.3 times the size of Mauritania: 2,381,741 km² versus 1,030,700 km².
The two share a land border, which shapes their trade, migration, and security relationship.
Algeria is far more densely settled: 20 people per km² against 5.
Military
Algeria spends 84 times as much on defence as Mauritania: $21.81B versus $260.06M (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Relative to its economy, Algeria carries the heavier military burden: 8.0% of GDP versus 2.2%.
Algeria fields the larger armed forces: 326,000 personnel against 21,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is Algeria bigger than Mauritania?
- Algeria is larger by land area. Algeria covers 2,381,741 km² while Mauritania covers 1,030,700 km², so Algeria is 2.3 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, Algeria or Mauritania?
- Algeria has the larger population: 47.44 million versus 5.32 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is Algeria richer than Mauritania?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Algeria is richer: $6,051 against $2,198. Total GDP tells the same story: $287.03B for Algeria versus $11.68B for Mauritania.
- Who spends more on their military, Algeria or Mauritania?
- Algeria spends more: $21.81B versus $260.06M per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).