Share of women using modern contraceptive methods in Mauritania
Mauritania: Share of women using modern contraceptive methods was 12.8% in 2021. ◆ Volatile
Share of women using modern contraceptive 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 share of women using modern contraceptive methods in 2021.
Compared with earlier readings it is up 28.0% over ten years.
Over the whole period, share of women using modern contraceptive methods in Mauritania peaked at 15.6% in 2015 and was at its lowest, 0.3%, in 1981.
Mauritania ranks 109th of 113 countries on this measure, in the bottom quarter.
Share of women using modern contraceptive 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 gender data for Mauritania
- Child population (UN estimates and projections) 2,466 (2030)
- Child population (UN estimates and projections) (0-14), annual growth 1.77 % change on previous year (2030)
- Population 3,596 (2030)
- Working-age population (UN estimates and projections) 3,596 (2030)
- Population (UN estimates and projections), annual growth rate 3.17 % change on previous year (2030)
- Age population, age 00, female, interpolated 85,317 (2025)
- Age population, age 00, male, interpolated 87,574 (2025)
- Age population, age 01, female, interpolated 83,378 (2025)
- Age population, age 01, male, interpolated 85,511 (2025)
- Age population, age 02, female, interpolated 81,699 (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is share of women using modern contraceptive methods in Mauritania?
- Share of women using modern contraceptive 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 share of women using modern contraceptive methods recorded in Mauritania?
- The highest recorded value was 15.6% in 2015.
- What is the lowest share of women using modern contraceptive methods recorded in Mauritania?
- The lowest recorded value was 0.3% in 1981.
- How does Mauritania rank for share of women using modern contraceptive methods?
- Mauritania ranks 109th out of 113 countries with data for 2021.
- Is share of women using modern contraceptive 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 Share of women using modern contraceptive methods. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Estimated share of women using modern contraceptive methods, among those aged 15–49 and married or in union.