Mauritania's Minister of Economic Affairs and Development, Mohamedou Ahamadou M'Haimid, announced that the country's cash poverty rate has decreased from 28.2% in 2019 to 25.7% in 2025. The minister made this statement during the opening of a workshop aimed at disseminating the final results of the Permanent Survey on Household Living Conditions for the period 2025-2026. This decline in poverty rates is a significant indicator of the country's progress in reducing economic hardship.
The minister also reported a decline in the severe poverty rate from 12.8% to 11.2% over the same period. Furthermore, the multidimensional poverty rate decreased by four percentage points, from 58.7% to 54.7%. This reduction reflects improved access to basic services for citizens. Additionally, the minister noted that there are signs of a decrease in inequality levels nationwide, indicating a more equitable distribution of resources.
In the education sector, Minister M'Haimid highlighted significant improvements. The overall enrollment rate in primary education increased from 79.9% to 96.1%, representing an increase of over 16 percentage points in six years. For secondary education, the enrollment rate rose from 31.9% to 36.8%. These statistics demonstrate the government's efforts to enhance access to education and increase human capital.
The healthcare sector also saw notable advancements. The minister reported that the percentage of births attended by qualified healthcare professionals increased from 73% to 82.7%. Moreover, the proportion of the population covered by health insurance nearly doubled, rising from 6.4% to 11.9%. These improvements indicate a positive trend in healthcare access and quality.
Access to clean water has also improved in Mauritania. The minister stated that the percentage of households with a water tap inside their homes increased from 39.4% in 2019 to 52.6% in 2025. This represents an increase of over 13 percentage points, enhancing the living conditions of many Mauritanian families.
The minister's statements underscore the progress made by Mauritania in achieving its development goals. The decline in poverty rates, coupled with improvements in education, healthcare, and access to clean water, reflect a positive trajectory for the country's socio-economic development. These achievements are crucial for enhancing the well-being of Mauritanian citizens and promoting sustainable growth.
Moving forward, the government is expected to build on these successes and address remaining challenges. Continued investment in human capital, infrastructure, and social services will be essential for sustaining progress and achieving further reductions in poverty and inequality. The workshop and survey results provide valuable insights for policymakers and stakeholders to inform future development strategies.
Key points
- - Cash poverty in Mauritania decreased from 28.2% in 2019 to 25.7% in 2025. - The multidimensional poverty rate decreased from 58.7% to 54.7% over the same period. - Primary education enrollment rose from 79.9% to 96.1% between 2019 and 2025.
