Contraceptive usage: modern methods vs. any methods in Mauritania
Mauritania: Contraceptive usage: modern methods vs. any methods was 12.8% in 2021. ◆ Volatile
Contraceptive usage: modern methods vs. any methods in Mauritania, 1981–2021
Source: Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS), Multiple Indicator Cluster Surveys (MICS), and UN Population Division, via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data. Measured in % of women ages 15-49.
Analysis
Mauritania recorded 12.8% for contraceptive usage: modern methods vs. any methods in 2021.
That represents a change of up 28.0% over ten years.
Over the whole period, contraceptive usage: modern methods vs. any methods in Mauritania peaked at 15.6% in 2015 and was at its lowest, 0.3%, in 1981.
That places Mauritania 109th out of 113 countries with data for 2021, putting it in the bottom quarter.
Contraceptive usage: modern methods vs. any methods in Mauritania, year by year
| Year | % of women ages 15-49 | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1981 | 0.3% | — |
| 1991 | 1.3% | +333.3% |
| 2001 | 5.1% | +292.3% |
| 2007 | 8.0% | +56.9% |
| 2011 | 10.0% | +25.0% |
| 2015 | 15.6% | +56.0% |
| 2021 | 12.8% | -17.9% |
Mauritania compared with similar countries
- Mauritania's 12.8% is below the median for lower middle income countries, which is 45.1%, 28% of the median. (37 countries reporting)
- Mauritania's 12.8% is below the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 25.3%, 51% of the median. (34 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1980s | 0.3% | 0.3% | 0.3% | 1 |
| 1990s | 1.3% | 1.3% | 1.3% | 1 |
| 2000s | 6.5% | 5.1% | 8.0% | 2 |
| 2010s | 12.8% | 10.0% | 15.6% | 2 |
| 2020s | 12.8% | 12.8% | 12.8% | 1 |
Countries ranked near Mauritania
More reference data data for Mauritania
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Manure applied to Soils 0.0975 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Manure left on Pasture 3.86 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - IPCC Agriculture 3.98 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Crop Residues 0.0216 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Agricultural Soils 3.98 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure applied to Soils 0.327 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure Management 0.1337 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure left on Pasture 14.4 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - IPCC Agriculture 14.99 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Crop Residues 0.1178 (2050)
Frequently asked questions
- What is contraceptive usage: modern methods vs. any methods in Mauritania?
- Contraceptive usage: modern methods vs. any methods in Mauritania was 12.8% in 2021, according to Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS), Multiple Indicator Cluster Surveys (MICS), and UN Population Division, via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest contraceptive usage: modern methods vs. any methods recorded in Mauritania?
- The highest recorded value was 15.6% in 2015.
- What is the lowest contraceptive usage: modern methods vs. any methods recorded in Mauritania?
- The lowest recorded value was 0.3% in 1981.
- How does Mauritania rank for contraceptive usage: modern methods vs. any methods?
- Mauritania ranks 109th out of 113 countries with data for 2021.
- Is contraceptive usage: modern methods vs. any methods rising or falling in Mauritania?
- Over the last ten years it is up 28.0%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Mauritania data come from?
- The figures come from Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS), Multiple Indicator Cluster Surveys (MICS), and UN Population Division, via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data, published as part of Contraceptive usage: modern methods vs. any methods. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Estimated share of women using contraceptive methods, among those aged 15–49 and married or in union. This is compared between modern methods and any method (modern or traditional).