Share of the population defined as severely food insecure vs. undernourished in Mauritania
Mauritania: Share of the population defined as severely food insecure vs. undernourished was 13.1 percent in 2023. ▲ Rising
Share of the population defined as severely food insecure vs. undernourished in Mauritania, 2015–2023
Source: Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (2025) – with major processing by Our World in Data. Measured in percent.
Analysis
Mauritania recorded 13.1 percent for share of the population defined as severely food insecure vs. undernourished in 2023. That is the highest value across all 9 years on record.
The figure is up 12.9% on the previous year and up 184.8% over ten years.
Over the whole period, share of the population defined as severely food insecure vs. undernourished in Mauritania peaked at 13.1 percent in 2023 and was at its lowest, 4.6 percent, in 2015.
That places Mauritania 30th out of 125 countries with data for 2023, putting it in the top quarter.
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010s | 5.52 percent | 4.6 percent | 6.6 percent | 5 |
| 2020s | 10.35 percent | 7.2 percent | 13.1 percent | 4 |
Countries ranked near Mauritania
More reference data data for Mauritania
- Spring temperature anomalies -0.5281 °C (2026)
- Summer temperature anomalies 1.47 °C (2026)
- Temperature anomalies by month 0.348 °C (2026)
- Universal right to vote in practice 2 (2025)
- Autumn temperature anomalies 0.3267 °C (2025)
- Winter temperature anomalies -1.5 °C (2025)
- Consumer price index 171.28 2010 = 100 (2025)
- Universal right to vote 2 (2025)
- Competitive elections 0 (2025)
- Men's universal right to vote 1 (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is share of the population defined as severely food insecure vs. undernourished in Mauritania?
- Share of the population defined as severely food insecure vs. undernourished in Mauritania was 13.1 percent in 2023, according to Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (2025) – with major processing by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest share of the population defined as severely food insecure vs. undernourished recorded in Mauritania?
- The highest recorded value was 13.1 percent in 2023.
- What is the lowest share of the population defined as severely food insecure vs. undernourished recorded in Mauritania?
- The lowest recorded value was 4.6 percent in 2015.
- How does Mauritania rank for share of the population defined as severely food insecure vs. undernourished?
- Mauritania ranks 30th out of 125 countries with data for 2023.
- Is share of the population defined as severely food insecure vs. undernourished rising or falling in Mauritania?
- Over the last ten years it is up 184.8%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
- Where does this Mauritania data come from?
- The figures come from Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (2025) – with major processing by Our World in Data, published as part of Share of the population defined as severely food insecure vs. undernourished. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Both metrics indicate that someone does not get enough food (in terms of calories) to eat: these metrics should be strongly correlated. Severe food insecurity is measured based on food security questionnaires among households. Undernourishment is based on estimates of actual calorie intake across the population.