Key Facts: Mauritania Wages
- Country
- Mauritania (MRT)
- Continent
- Africa
- Currency
- Mauritanian Ouguiya (MRU)
- Minimum Wage
- UM30,000 /mo ($750 USD)
- Average Gross Monthly Salary
- UM65,000 /month
- Average Gross Annual Salary
- UM780,000 /year
- Standard Work Week
- 40 hours
- Data Source
- ILO ILOSTAT / World Bank / Ministère du Travail de Mauritanie
- Last Updated
- 2026-02-25
Mauritania — Average Salary & Wages
Mauritanian Ouguiya (MRU) Data verified Jan 2026 Sources
The average salary in Mauritania is
UM780,000 a year
The minimum wage in Mauritania is UM30,000/mo ($750 USD) as of 2026. The average gross monthly salary is UM65,000 ($1,625 USD).
Mauritania's minimum wage is among the highest for Africa, ranking #1 out of 54 countries with statutory minimum wages. The standard work week is 40 hours.
Estimated average for formal sector workers. Mining sector workers (iron ore, gold) earn significantly more than average. Government, banking, and telecommunications are other formal employers. Data is limited and the informal economy is large.
Minimum Wage Trend
• PPP ADJUSTED
In Mauritania, the minimum wage has the purchasing power of $2,645.50/mo in the United States, adjusted for local cost of living using the World Bank PPP conversion factor.
In Context
At minimum wage, a full-time worker in Mauritania earns UM30,000/mo. That is 46% of the average gross salary.
- Monthly (full-time)
- UM30,000 at min. wage
- Share of avg. salary
- 46% gross, before tax
- USD equivalent
- $750/mo monthly
Wage Breakdown
- Daily
- UM1,200Monthly rate divided by 25 working days
- Monthly
- UM30,000
Mauritania sets a SMIG (Salaire Minimum Interprofessionnel Garanti) under the Labour Code. The MRU (new Mauritanian ouguiya) was introduced on 1 January 2018, replacing the old ouguiya (MRO) at 1:10. The Mauritanian economy relies heavily on iron ore and fish exports. The formal sector is small; Nouakchott (capital) and Nouadhibou (commercial port) are the primary centres of formal employment. Slavery — though legally abolished — remains a concern raised by human rights organizations, affecting labour market data reliability. The country is 90%+ Saharan desert; most rural Mauritanians are engaged in pastoral herding outside the wage system.
Work Week
- Standard
- 40 hrs/wk
- Maximum
- 48 hrs/wk
- Overtime
- 1.5x pay
Labour Code sets 40 hours/week, with Friday as the rest day. Arabic is the official language; French widely used in business. Some sectors may observe Thursday–Friday weekends.
How Mauritania Compares
| Metric | Mauritania | Africa Avg. | Africa Highest |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg. salary (USD equiv.) | $1,625/mo | $381.53/mo | $1,625/mo (Mauritania) |
• NEIGHBORING COUNTRIES
Compare Mauritania
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Wages tell half the story. See purchasing power, prices, and quality-of-life context for Mauritania on our sister site.
Cost of living in Mauritania on costofliving.is →Frequently Asked Questions
What is the minimum wage in Mauritania?
The minimum wage in Mauritania is UM30,000/mo (approximately $750 USD), effective since 2020-01-01. Mauritania sets a SMIG (Salaire Minimum Interprofessionnel Garanti) under the Labour Code. The MRU (new Mauritanian ouguiya) was introduced on 1 January 2018, replacing the old ouguiya (MRO) at 1:10. The Mauritanian economy relies heavily on iron ore and fish exports. The formal sector is small; Nouakchott (capital) and Nouadhibou (commercial port) are the primary centres of formal employment. Slavery — though legally abolished — remains a concern raised by human rights organizations, affecting labour market data reliability. The country is 90%+ Saharan desert; most rural Mauritanians are engaged in pastoral herding outside the wage system.
What is the average salary in Mauritania?
The average gross monthly salary in Mauritania is UM65,000 (approximately $1,625 USD). Estimated average for formal sector workers. Mining sector workers (iron ore, gold) earn significantly more than average. Government, banking, and telecommunications are other formal employers. Data is limited and the informal economy is large. Source: World Bank / ILO estimated (formal sector, Nouakchott) (2023).
How many hours is the standard work week in Mauritania?
The standard work week in Mauritania is 40 hours, with a legal maximum of 48 hours. Overtime is paid at 1.5x the normal rate. Labour Code sets 40 hours/week, with Friday as the rest day. Arabic is the official language; French widely used in business. Some sectors may observe Thursday–Friday weekends.
How has the minimum wage in Mauritania changed over time?
The minimum wage in Mauritania has changed as follows: UM30,000 in 2020, UM30,000 in 2022, UM30,000 in 2024. This represents 3 recorded adjustments.
What is the minimum wage in Mauritania in USD?
The minimum wage in Mauritania converts to approximately $750/mo in US dollars, based on current exchange rates. Actual purchasing power may differ due to local cost of living.
What is the average salary in Mauritania in USD?
The average gross monthly salary in Mauritania is approximately $1,625 per month in US dollars, based on current exchange rates. Actual purchasing power may differ due to local cost of living.
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