As of 2024, the top 1% in Mauritania earned 9.97% of total national income, while the bottom 50% received just 17.04%. Mauritania’s income inequality has decreased since 1980, when the top 1% share was 12.81%.
Key Income Distribution Metrics for Mauritania in 2024
In 2024, income in Mauritania was distributed as follows: the wealthiest 1% of the population captured 9.97% of total national income, which is notably lower than the global average of 16.17%. Meanwhile, the bottom half of earners received 17.04% of income, slightly higher than the global average of 14.97%.
| Metric | Mauritania | Global Average |
|---|---|---|
| Top 1% Income Share | 9.97% | 16.17% |
| Top 10% Income Share | 39.94% | 45.21% |
| Bottom 50% Income Share | 17.04% | 14.97% |
How Has Income Inequality Changed in Mauritania?
Top 1% Income Share Trend (1980-2024)
The share of income going to Mauritania’s top 1% has decreased over the past 44 years. In 1980, the top 1% captured 12.81% of national income. By 2024, this figure had fallen by 2.84 percentage points to 9.97%.
Top 10% vs Bottom 50% Income Gap Over Time
The income gap between the top 10% and bottom 50% in Mauritania has narrowed over this period. In 1980, the top 10% earned 48.09% while the bottom 50% received 12.18%. By 2024, these figures shifted to 39.94% and 17.04% respectively.
| Year | Top 1% | Top 10% | Bottom 50% | Gap (Top 10 – Bottom 50) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | 12.81% | 48.09% | 12.18% | 35.91 pp |
| 1986 | 12.81% | 48.09% | 12.18% | 35.91 pp |
| 1992 | 28.50% | 59.54% | 10.06% | 49.48 pp |
| 1998 | 11.69% | 45.36% | 14.13% | 31.23 pp |
| 2004 | 16.75% | 50.57% | 13.34% | 37.23 pp |
| 2010 | 10.43% | 41.17% | 15.76% | 25.41 pp |
| 2016 | 10.44% | 40.26% | 16.89% | 23.37 pp |
| 2022 | 9.97% | 39.94% | 17.04% | 22.90 pp |
How Mauritania Compares Globally
Mauritania vs Africa Average
Compared to other countries in Africa, Mauritania’s top 1% income share of 9.97% is notably lower than the regional average of 15.62%. The bottom 50% in Mauritania receives 17.04% of income, compared to the Africa average of 13.46%.
Where Mauritania Ranks Among All Countries
- Top 1% income concentration: Mauritania ranks 161st out of 184 countries (higher rank = more concentrated wealth at the top)
- Bottom 50% income share: Mauritania ranks 52nd out of 184 countries (higher rank = larger share for the bottom half)
Countries with similar income inequality levels to Mauritania include Bosnia and Herzegovina's income inequality, Luxembourg's wealth gap, income distribution in Kosovo.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the income share of the top 1% in Mauritania?
As of 2024, the top 1% in Mauritania earned 9.97% of total national income. This level of concentration is considered relatively low by international standards.
Is income inequality increasing or decreasing in Mauritania?
Income inequality in Mauritania has decreased since 1980. The top 1% income share moved from 12.81% in 1980 to 9.97% in 2024.
What percentage of income goes to the bottom 50% in Mauritania?
In 2024, the bottom 50% of earners in Mauritania received 17.04% of total national income. This compares with the top 10% who captured 39.94%.
Last updated: April 8, 2026
Data source: World Inequality Database (WID). This dataset covers income distribution metrics for 199 countries from 1980 to 2024.