Photo: Arensond · CC0 · via Wikimedia Commons, shown in greyscale
Topic 07 of 18 · Country Index 2026
Mauritania: Environment & Sustainability
How much pressure does a country put on the natural world?
Mauritania is placed 66th of 186 countries on environment & sustainability in the Country Index 2026, from 2 of its 4 key statistics. Readings behind it: CO₂ Emissions per Capita 1.013 (2024); Water Stress 13.25 (2023).
Share
Environment & Sustainability
66th
of 186 countries placed
Placed from 2 of 4 key statistics
01The evidence
The 4 key statistics that decide it
Only these place Mauritania on environment & sustainability — one vote each. Every value is the publisher’s own, read at the edition the Country Index 2026 used; the grey ticks are every other country it was compared with, lowest on the left.
1.013
Fossil CO₂ (tonnes per person)
Lower is better
Mauritania: 1.013. Across the 210 countries in this edition, values run from 0.054 (DR Congo) to 41.27 (Qatar); the world median is 3.21.
- World median
- 3.21
- Best in Western Africa
- 0.117 Niger
- Land neighbours
- Algeria 4.234 · Mali 0.285 · Senegal 0.762
Key 2 of 4
Water Stress
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)
2023 edition · data for 2023 · CC BY 4.0
13.25
Freshwater withdrawal as a share of available resources (%)
Lower is better
Mauritania: 13.25. Across the 177 countries in this edition, values run from 0.03 (Republic of the Congo) to 3,851 (Kuwait); the world median is 10.
- World median
- 10
- Best in Western Africa
- 0.26 Liberia
- Land neighbours
- Algeria 144.81 · Mali 42.95 · Senegal 16.28
Key 3 of 4
Organic Agricultural Area
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)
2024 edition · data for 2024 · CC BY 4.0
No reading
Organic share of agricultural land (%)
Higher is better
FAO publishes no 2024 figure for Mauritania, so the standing rests on the other keys.
Across the 156 countries in this edition, values run from 0 (Afghanistan) to 86.38 (Samoa); the world median is 0.725.
- World median
- 0.725
- Best in Western Africa
- 6.01 Togo
- Land neighbours
- Algeria 0.01 · Mali 0.04 · Senegal 0.03
No reading
Ecological Footprint (global hectares per person)
Lower is better
Global Footprint Network publishes no 2025 figure for Mauritania, so the standing rests on the other keys.
Across the 126 countries in this edition, values run from 0.514 (Yemen) to 11.73 (Qatar); the world median is 2.296.
- World median
- 2.296
- Best in Western Africa
- 0.739 Nigeria
- Land neighbours
- Mali 1.097 · Senegal 1.495
02Over time
Which way Mauritania is moving
Each key’s published value, edition by edition, beside the world median. The Country Index 2026 is the first edition of the standing, so the standing itself has no history to chart yet.
CO₂ Emissions per Capita
Fossil CO₂ (tonnes per person) · lower is better
MauritaniaWorld median
Mauritania rose from 0.426 in 2000 to 1.013 in 2024; the world median went from 2.662 to 3.21.
Every year’s figures
Year Mauritania World median 2024 1.013 3.210 2023 1.003 3.145 2022 1.080 3.162 2021 0.950 3.087 2020 1.039 2.903 2019 1.033 3.273 2018 1.025 3.036 2017 0.851 3.049 2016 0.642 2.894 2015 0.757 2.846 2014 0.666 2.919 2013 0.581 2.779 2012 0.676 2.770 2011 0.636 2.748 2010 0.617 2.812 2009 0.613 2.799 2008 0.575 2.979 2007 0.568 2.593 2006 0.514 2.865 2005 0.488 2.885 2004 0.483 2.802 2003 0.459 2.918 2002 0.456 2.785 2001 0.438 2.726 2000 0.426 2.662 Water Stress
Freshwater withdrawal as a share of available resources (%) · lower is better
MauritaniaWorld median
Mauritania fell from 15.71 in 2000 to 13.25 in 2023; the world median went from 10.07 to 10.
Every year’s figures
Year Mauritania World median 2023 13.3 10.000 2022 13.3 10.190 2021 13.3 10.460 2020 13.3 10.460 2019 13.3 10.890 2018 13.3 10.460 2017 13.3 10.460 2016 13.3 10.460 2015 13.3 10.190 2014 13.3 10.460 2013 13.3 10.460 2012 13.3 10.460 2011 13.3 10.460 2010 13.3 10.710 2009 13.3 10.960 2008 13.3 10.815 2007 13.3 11.180 2006 13.3 10.430 2005 13.3 10.250 2004 13.2 10.715 2003 13.8 10.370 2002 14.5 10.180 2001 15.1 10.130 2000 15.7 10.070
03In context
Mauritania beside its neighbours
A position reads best beside the countries around it. Every position below is a place among all 186 countries on environment & sustainability, never a place within the region.
Mauritania and the countries it borders
Standing among all 186; the key columns are the publishers’ own values.
| Country | Standing | CO₂ Emissions per CapitaFossil CO₂ (tonnes per person) | Water StressFreshwater withdrawal as a share of available resources (%) | Organic Agricultural AreaOrganic share of agricultural land (%) | Ecological FootprintEcological Footprint (global hectares per person) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mauritania | 66th | 1.013 | 13.25 | — | — |
 Mali | 94th | 0.285 | 42.95 | 0.04 | 1.097 |
 Senegal | 104th | 0.762 | 16.28 | 0.03 | 1.495 |
 Algeria | 178th | 4.234 | 144.81 | 0.01 | — |
“—”: no published reading in that edition. What a standing is
Across Western Africa
Every country in the sub-region, by its place among all 186.
Placed either side on environment & sustainability
The countries immediately above and below Mauritania in the topic’s list.
04Context, no vote
Where Mauritania is ahead of the world, and behind
46 more statistics filed under environment & sustainability, published in full and deliberately given no vote in the standing. Select a row for the publisher, the rank and the links.
Ahead of the world median5
Statistics on which Mauritania does better than the middle country measured.
Adjusted Net SavingsWorld Bank Group · 2021 · world median 8.38924.268.389▲ Improved since 2012
Mauritania: 24.26 · world median 8.389 · Adjusted net savings, including particulate emission damage (% of GNI). World Bank Group, 2021 edition, data for 2021.
Published values in that edition run from -81.62 to 32.18; higher is better.
Position 6th of 118 · derived.
Municipal Solid Waste GenerationWorld Bank Group · 2026 · world median 0.9660.3090.966No earlier reading
Mauritania: 0.309 · world median 0.966 · Municipal solid waste generated (kg per person per day). World Bank Group, 2026 edition, data for 2026.
Published values in that edition run from 0.058 to 4.176; lower is better.
Position 187th of 201 · derived, 1st = worst.
Annual Forest Area Change RateFAO · 2025 · world median 00.260▲ Improved since 2015
Mauritania: 0.26 · world median 0 · Compound annual change in forest area over the interval ending that year (%). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from -3.29 to 12.3; higher is better.
Wind and Solar Share of Electricity GenerationEmber · 2024 · world median 5.27912.565.279▼ Worsened since 2014
Mauritania: 12.56 · world median 5.279 · Wind and solar (% of electricity generated). Ember, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 69.12; higher is better.
Energy Intensity of GDP (PPP)EIA · 2024 · world median 2.7382.3272.738▼ Worsened since 2014
Mauritania: 2.327 · world median 2.738 · Energy use per dollar of GDP (thousand Btu per US$ at PPP). U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0.666 to 17.45; lower is better.
Behind the world median16
Statistics on which Mauritania does worse than the middle country measured.
Carbon Intensity of ElectricityEmber · 2024 · world median 433.75514.98433.75▼ Worsened since 2014
Mauritania: 514.98 · world median 433.75 · Carbon intensity (gCO₂e per kWh generated). Ember, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 23.73 to 1,306; lower is better.
Position 69th of 165 · derived, 1st = worst.
Renewable Share of Electricity GenerationEmber · 2024 · world median 32.0622.732.06▼ Worsened since 2014
Mauritania: 22.7 · world median 32.06 · Renewables (% of electricity generated). Ember, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 100; higher is better.
Position 102nd of 162 · derived.
Low-Carbon Share of Electricity GenerationEmber · 2024 · world median 37.3222.737.32▼ Worsened since 2014
Mauritania: 22.7 · world median 37.32 · Low-carbon sources (% of electricity generated). Ember, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 100; higher is better.
Position 104th of 162 · derived.
Baseline Water Stress (Aqueduct)WRI · 2019 · world median 1.6632.7281.663No earlier reading
Mauritania: 2.728 · world median 1.663 · Baseline water stress score (0–5). World Resources Institute (WRI), 2023 edition, data for 2019.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 5; lower is better.
World Risk IndexInstitute for International Law of Peace and Armed Conflict (IFHV), Ruhr University Bochum · 2025 · world median 4.179.064.17No real change since 2015
Mauritania: 9.06 · world median 4.17 · WorldRiskIndex score (0–100, where 100 is the most at risk). Institute for International Law of Peace and Armed Conflict (IFHV), Ruhr University Bochum, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0.18 to 46.56; lower is better.
Position 61st of 193 · derived, 1st = worst.
Children's Climate Risk IndexUNICEF · 2020 · world median 56.75No earlier reading
Mauritania: 6.7 · world median 5 · Children's Climate Risk Index (0–10, higher is more risk). UNICEF, 2021 edition, data for 2020.
Published values in that edition run from 1 to 8.7; lower is better.
Ranked 40th of 163 by UNICEF (1st = worst).
Progress Toward Productive and Sustainable Agriculture (SDG 2.4.1 Proxy)FAO · 2024 · world median 3.142.573.14▲ Improved since 2015
Mauritania: 2.57 · world median 3.14 · Current status score, from 1 (worst) to 5 (best), averaged over up to seven sub-indicators. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 1.67 to 4.57; higher is better.
Position 145th of 186 · derived.
Planetary pressures-adjusted HDIUNDP Human Development Report Office · 2023 · world median 0.6780.5420.678▼ Worsened since 2013
Mauritania: 0.542 · world median 0.678 · PHDI (0–1). UNDP Human Development Report Office, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0.276 to 0.827; higher is better.
Position 126th of 156 · derived.
Water-Use EfficiencyFAO · 2023 · world median 16.14.816.1▲ Improved since 2013
Mauritania: 4.8 · world median 16.1 · Value added per cubic metre of freshwater withdrawn (constant US$ per m³). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0.38 to 1,378; higher is better.
World Energy Trilemma IndexWorld Energy Council · 2023 · world median 63.842.763.8No earlier reading
Mauritania: 42.7 · world median 63.8 · Trilemma score (0–100). World Energy Council, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 27.7 to 83.2; higher is better.
Ranked 87th of 99 by World Energy Council.
Renewable Internal Freshwater Resources per CapitaFAO · 2022 · world median 2,52882.042,528No real change since 2012
Mauritania: 82.04 · world median 2,528 · Renewable internal freshwater (cubic metres per person). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2022 edition, data for 2022.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 445,023; higher is better.
Position 171st of 181 · derived.
PM2.5 Air Pollution ExposureAtmospheric Composition Analysis Group, Washington University in St. Louis · 2023 · world median 14.4542.614.45No real change since 2013
Mauritania: 42.6 · world median 14.45 · Population-weighted PM2.5 concentration (µg/m³). Atmospheric Composition Analysis Group, Washington University in St. Louis, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 2.5 to 68.2; lower is better.
Position 13th of 220 · derived, 1st = worst.
ND-GAIN Country IndexNotre Dame Global Adaptation Initiative (ND-GAIN), University of Notre Dame · 2024 · world median 47.4431.947.44▼ Worsened since 2014
Mauritania: 31.9 · world median 47.44 · ND-GAIN Index (0–100, where 100 is best placed to adapt). Notre Dame Global Adaptation Initiative (ND-GAIN), University of Notre Dame, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 26.42 to 71.85; higher is better.
Ranked 183rd of 190 by Notre Dame Global Adaptation Initiative (ND-GAIN), University of Notre Dame.
Agricultural Emissions IntensityFAO · 2023 · world median 1.56510.231.565No real change since 2013
Mauritania: 10.23 · world median 1.565 · Greenhouse gases from farming per value of agricultural output (kg CO₂eq per international dollar). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 28.2; lower is better.
Position 7th of 190 · derived, 1st = worst.
Forest Area within Legally Established Protected AreasFAO · 2025 · world median 18.180.3118.18No real change since 2015
Mauritania: 0.31 · world median 18.18 · Forest within legally established protected areas, as a share of the country's 2015 forest area (%). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 100; higher is better.
Climate Vulnerability (ND-GAIN)Notre Dame Global Adaptation Initiative (ND-GAIN), University of Notre Dame · 2024 · world median 0.450.6550.45▼ Worsened since 2014
Mauritania: 0.655 · world median 0.45 · ND-GAIN Vulnerability (0–1, where 1 is the most vulnerable). Notre Dame Global Adaptation Initiative (ND-GAIN), University of Notre Dame, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0.263 to 0.655; lower is better.
Ranked 190th of 190 by Notre Dame Global Adaptation Initiative (ND-GAIN), University of Notre Dame.
Level with the median, or no median to compare1
Coal Share of Electricity GenerationEmber · 2024 · world median 000No real change since 2014
Mauritania: 0 · world median 0 · Coal (% of electricity generated). Ember, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 98.25; lower is better.
No better end24
These describe the shape of a country — more is not better or worse, only different — so they are never ahead or behind.
Population Living Below 5 m ElevationCenter for International Earth Science Information Network (CIESIN), Columbia University · 2015 · world median 2.954212.954No real change since 1990
Mauritania: 21 · world median 2.954 · Population living below 5 m elevation (% of total population). Center for International Earth Science Information Network (CIESIN), Columbia University, 2015 edition, data for 2015.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 78.48.
Water Withdrawal by SectorFAO · 2022 · world median 62.1490.5862.14No real change since 2012
Mauritania: 90.58 · world median 62.14 · Freshwater withdrawn for agriculture (% of total). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2022 edition, data for 2022.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 99.48.
Position 26th of 171 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Fisheries and Aquaculture ProductionFAO · 2024 · world median 52,375640,32252,375Moved since 2014
Mauritania: 640,322 · world median 52,375 · Fish, crustaceans, molluscs and other aquatic animals caught or farmed, tonnes (live weight). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 70,500,841.
Total Natural Resources Rents (% of GDP)World Bank Group · 2021 · world median 1.70811.451.708Moved since 2011
Mauritania: 11.45 · world median 1.708 · Natural resources rents (% of GDP). World Bank Group, 2021 edition, data for 2021.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 61.03.
Position 40th of 180 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Burned AreaGWIS · 2025 · world median 13,824277,06013,824Moved since 2015
Mauritania: 277,060 · world median 13,824 · Burned area (hectares). European Commission Joint Research Centre — Global Wildfire Information System (GWIS), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 50,562,035.
Solar Share of Electricity GenerationEmber · 2024 · world median 3.0497.7293.049Moved since 2014
Mauritania: 7.729 · world median 3.049 · Solar (% of electricity generated). Ember, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 50.
Environmentally Related Tax RevenueOECD · 2024 · world median 1.0751.5091.075Moved since 2014
Mauritania: 1.509 · world median 1.075 · Environmentally related tax revenue (% of GDP). OECD, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 3.346.
Temperature Change on LandFAO · 2025 · world median 1.4741.8551.474Moved since 2015
Mauritania: 1.855 · world median 1.474 · Change in mean land-surface temperature against the country's own 1951–1980 average, °C. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0.34 to 3.294.
Agricultural EmissionsFAO · 2023 · world median 8,63510,7728,635No real change since 2013
Mauritania: 10,772 · world median 8,635 · Farm-gate emissions (kt CO₂eq). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 1,044,508.
Position 91st of 193 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Operating Wind Power CapacityGlobal Energy Monitor · 2026 · world median 100130100No earlier reading
Mauritania: 130 · world median 100 · Wind farm capacity in operation (megawatts). Global Energy Monitor, 2026 edition, data for 2026.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 542,758.
Agricultural LandFAO · 2023 · world median 37.9638.5337.96Moved since 2013
Mauritania: 38.53 · world median 37.96 · Agricultural land (% of land area). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0.445 to 86.48.
Position 101st of 209 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Solar Electricity Installed CapacityEIA · 2024 · world median 0.1440.1570.144Moved since 2014
Mauritania: 0.157 · world median 0.144 · Solar generating capacity installed (gigawatts). U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 886.66.
Methane EmissionsEDGAR · 2025 · world median 325.69325.69325.69Moved since 2015
Mauritania: 325.69 · world median 325.69 · Methane emissions (gigagrams of CH₄). European Commission, Joint Research Centre (EDGAR), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0.048 to 51,093.
Pesticide Use per HectareFAO · 2024 · world median 1.731.491.73Moved since 2014
Mauritania: 1.49 · world median 1.73 · Pesticide use (kg per hectare of cropland). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 37.72.
Position 99th of 178 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Arable Land per PersonFAO · 2023 · world median 0.1090.090.109Moved since 2013
Mauritania: 0.09 · world median 0.109 · Arable land (hectares per person). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 1.459.
Position 117th of 206 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Land Under Cereal ProductionFAO · 2023 · world median 689,278319,193689,278Moved since 2013
Mauritania: 319,193 · world median 689,278 · Land under cereal production (hectares). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 103,715,108.
Position 111th of 179 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Cropland Nitrogen BalanceFAO · 2023 · world median 37.6321.1437.63Moved since 2013
Mauritania: 21.14 · world median 37.63 · Nitrogen surplus (+) or deficit (−) on cropland, kg per hectare. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from -555.52 to 1,199.
Meat Supply per PersonFAO · 2023 · world median 57.8336.5357.83Moved since 2013
Mauritania: 36.53 · world median 57.83 · Meat available as food (kg per person per year, carcass weight). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 3.49 to 156.95.
Mangrove AreaGlobal Mangrove Watch (Aberystwyth University, JAXA, soloEO, Wetlands International, The Nature Conservancy) · 2025 · world median 8,927225.078,927No real change since 2015
Mauritania: 225.07 · world median 8,927 · Mangrove forest area (hectares). Global Mangrove Watch (Aberystwyth University, JAXA, soloEO, Wetlands International, The Nature Conservancy), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0.524 to 3,146,544.
Fertilizer Consumption per HectareFAO · 2023 · world median 87.368.52487.36Moved since 2013
Mauritania: 8.524 · world median 87.36 · Fertilizer consumption (kg per hectare of arable land). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 2,926.
Position 162nd of 188 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Tree Cover LossWorld Resources Institute — Global Forest Watch (data: University of Maryland) · 2025 · world median 3,77503,775Moved since 2015
Mauritania: 0 · world median 3,775 · Tree cover loss (hectares, where canopy cover exceeded 30% in 2000). World Resources Institute — Global Forest Watch (data: University of Maryland), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 6,225,187.
Livestock DensityFAO · 2023 · world median 0.5350.10.535No real change since 2013
Mauritania: 0.1 · world median 0.535 · Livestock units per hectare of agricultural land. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0.02 to 43.97.
Position 176th of 188 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Forest AreaFAO · 2023 · world median 31.080.28831.08No real change since 2013
Mauritania: 0.288 · world median 31.08 · Forest area (% of land area). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 94.45.
Position 202nd of 210 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Agricultural Irrigated LandFAO · 2023 · world median 3.660.0583.66No earlier reading
Mauritania: 0.058 · world median 3.66 · Irrigated share of agricultural land (%). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0.003 to 89.04.
Position 116th of 121 · derived, counted from the highest value.
No current reading for Mauritania
Consumption-Based CO₂ Emissions, Ecological Footprint, Operating Coal Power Capacity, Organic Agricultural Area and Tropical Moist Forest Deforestation. Listed rather than hidden, so the page can be checked against it.
“Position · derived” is this site’s ordering of the published values, 1st = best unless the row says otherwise; the publisher ranks no country on it. Rank, position and standing
05Country Index 2026
Environment & Sustainability among Mauritania’s 16 topics
Environment & Sustainability is Mauritania’s best-placed topic of 16. Strongest first, each marker at its share of that topic’s field.
- Environment & Sustainability66th of 1862/4 keys
- Digital & Technologyjoint 117th of 1983/4 keys
- Poverty & Inequality95th of 1593/3 keys
- Peace & Security116th of 1774/4 keys
- Energy118th of 1653/3 keys
- Democracy & Civil Libertiesjoint 142nd of 1984/4 keys
- Education & Knowledge143rd of 1983/4 keys
- Food & Agriculture141st of 1843/4 keys
- Health & Wellbeing154th of 2004/4 keys
- Development & Human Capital158th of 1963/3 keys
- Governance & Institutions165th of 1944/4 keys
- Risk & Resiliencejoint 170th of 1934/4 keys
- Gender & Equality164th of 1834/4 keys
- Economy & Innovation160th of 1764/4 keys
- Mobility & Trade162nd of 1774/4 keys
- Work & Labour178th of 1824/4 keys
06The top of the list
Who leads on environment & sustainability
The three countries placed highest of 186, and the leaders Mauritania can most readily be measured against.
1
AngolaMiddle Africa
1st of 186 · 3 of 4 keys
Photo: Paulo César Santos derivative work: Jjtkk · CC0, greyscale
- 2
São Tomé and PríncipeMiddle Africa
2nd of 186 · 3 of 4 keys
3
Sierra LeoneWestern Africa
3rd of 186 · 4 of 4 keys
Photo: Annabel Symington derivative work: Jjtkk · CC BY 2.0, greyscale
Placed highest nearby
Highest in Africa
Angola1st3/4 keysHighest in Western Africa
Sierra Leone3rd4/4 keysThis page
Mauritania66th2/4 keys
Positions out of 186 placed on the topic. A country needs readings on enough keys to be placed, and the top of the list is often held on fewer of them.
07Questions
Mauritania on environment & sustainability: questions answered
Every answer is built from the numbers on this page, so none can say something the page does not.
How does Mauritania rank on environment & sustainability?
Mauritania is placed 66th of 186 countries on Environment & Sustainability in the Country Index 2026, from 2 of its 4 key statistics (CO₂ Emissions per Capita and Water Stress). The position is this site’s ordering of published statistics, not a rank any publisher printed.
What is the latest CO₂ Emissions per Capita figure for Mauritania?
1.013 in 2024 (fossil CO₂ (tonnes per person)), according to Global Carbon Project. The world median in the same edition was 3.21.
What is the latest Water Stress figure for Mauritania?
13.25 in 2023 (freshwater withdrawal as a share of available resources (%)), according to Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). The world median in the same edition was 10.
How does Mauritania compare with Algeria on environment & sustainability?
Algeria is placed 178th of 186, and Mauritania 66th. CO₂ Emissions per Capita: Algeria 4.234, Mauritania 1.013; Water Stress: Algeria 144.81, Mauritania 13.25.
How have Mauritania’s environment & sustainability figures changed?
CO₂ Emissions per Capita rose from 0.426 in 2000 to 1.013 in 2024; Water Stress fell from 15.71 in 2000 to 13.25 in 2023.
Which environment & sustainability statistics are missing for Mauritania?
No current reading is published for Mauritania on Consumption-Based CO₂ Emissions, Ecological Footprint, Operating Coal Power Capacity, Organic Agricultural Area and Tropical Moist Forest Deforestation. They are listed rather than hidden, so the evidence on the page can be checked against it.
08Method
Method, sources and how to cite
What this topic does not measure
Air quality and biodiversity are not keys, because the site does not yet hold data for them that passes every test. Forest cover, farmland, farm emissions and the renewable share of electricity are published here as context. Exposure to natural hazards belongs to Risk & Resilience.
How the Environment & Sustainability standing is decided
A standing is this site’s ordering, named with its edition — never a publisher’s rank. 4 key statistics vote, one vote each; every country’s published value becomes a place within that key’s own field, the places are averaged, and the average is never published. A country needs 2 of the 4 keys to be placed.
The environment & sustainability method, step by stepHow every standing on this site is built
The key statistics and their licences
- CO₂ Emissions per Capita — Global Carbon Project, CC BY 4.0
- Water Stress — Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), CC BY 4.0
- Organic Agricultural Area — Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), CC BY 4.0
- Ecological Footprint — Global Footprint Network, CC BY-SA 4.0
The other 46 statistics on this page come from 18 publishers, each named beside its numbers, with every edition and licence on the datasets pages.
The standing itself is part of the Country Index 2026, published under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Photographs
Mauritania’s banner and the countries placed highest, from their profiles: Wikimedia Commons, shown in greyscale, each used under the licence named.
- Mauritania (banner) — Arensond, CC0
- Angola — Paulo César Santos derivative work: Jjtkk, CC0
- Sierra Leone — Annabel Symington derivative work: Jjtkk, CC BY 2.0
Cite this page
Nations Inquiry (2026). Mauritania: Environment & Sustainability — standing and statistics, Country Index 2026. https://nationsinquiry.com/countries/mauritania/environment