Unmet need for contraception in Mauritania
Mauritania: Unmet need for contraception was 31.1% in 2021. ▲ Rising
Unmet need for contraception in Mauritania, 2001–2021
Source: Household surveys, United Nations (UN), note: Household surveys, including Demographic and Health Surveys and Multiple Indicator Cluster Surveys. Largely compiled by United Nations Population Division. Measured in % of married women ages 15-49.
Analysis
The most recent figure for unmet need for contraception in Mauritania is 31.1%, measured in 2021.
That represents a change of unchanged over ten years.
Over the whole period, unmet need for contraception in Mauritania peaked at 33.6% in 2015 and was at its lowest, 24.6%, in 2007.
Mauritania ranks 3rd of 58 countries on this measure, in the top 10%.
Unmet need for contraception in Mauritania, year by year
| Year | % of married women ages 15-49 | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2001 | 32.1% | — |
| 2007 | 24.6% | -23.4% |
| 2011 | 31.1% | +26.4% |
| 2015 | 33.6% | +8.0% |
| 2021 | 31.1% | -7.4% |
Mauritania compared with similar countries
- Mauritania's 31.1% is above the median for lower middle income countries, which is 20.2%, 1.5× the median. (26 countries reporting)
- Mauritania's 31.1% is above the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 22.0%, 1.4× the median. (26 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 28.4% | 24.6% | 32.1% | 2 |
| 2010s | 32.4% | 31.1% | 33.6% | 2 |
| 2020s | 31.1% | 31.1% | 31.1% | 1 |
Countries ranked near Mauritania
More health data for Mauritania
- Un projection of annual infant deaths, annual growth rate -0.8878 % change on previous year (2100)
- Heat deaths vs projected death rates, annual growth rate 1.19 % change on previous year (2090)
- Estimated changes in temperature-related death rates compared to projected death rates 653 deaths per 1,000 people (2090)
- Number of infants who die before age 1 1,563 deaths (2100)
- Neonatal tetanus - number of reported cases, gaps filled 0 (2025)
- Population ages 00-04, female, annual growth rate 1.77 % change on previous year (2025)
- Population ages 00-04, female, per unit of GDP 0 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Population ages 00-04, female, per capita 0.077 units per person (2025)
- Population ages 00-04, male, annual growth rate 1.77 % change on previous year (2025)
- Population ages 00-04, male, per unit of GDP 0 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is unmet need for contraception in Mauritania?
- Unmet need for contraception in Mauritania was 31.1% in 2021, according to Household surveys, United Nations (UN), note: Household surveys, including Demographic and Health Surveys and Multiple Indicator Cluster Surveys. Largely compiled by United Nations Population Division.
- What is the highest unmet need for contraception recorded in Mauritania?
- The highest recorded value was 33.6% in 2015.
- What is the lowest unmet need for contraception recorded in Mauritania?
- The lowest recorded value was 24.6% in 2007.
- How does Mauritania rank for unmet need for contraception?
- Mauritania ranks 3rd out of 58 countries with data for 2021.
- Is unmet need for contraception rising or falling in Mauritania?
- Over the last ten years it is unchanged. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
- Where does this Mauritania data come from?
- The figures come from Household surveys, United Nations (UN), note: Household surveys, including Demographic and Health Surveys and Multiple Indicator Cluster Surveys. Largely compiled by United Nations Population Division, published as part of Unmet need for contraception (% of married women ages 15-49). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Unmet need for contraception is the percentage of fertile, married women of reproductive age who do not want to become pregnant and are not using contraception.