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Nouakchott, Mauritania

Capital city · Population 1.2M

Nouakchott is the capital and the largest city in Mauritania with a population of approximately 1,184,530 people as of 2026. This makes it the 444th largest city in the world, accounting for 24.04% of Mauritania's total population of 4.9M. Nouakchott is classified as a major city and operates in the Africa/Nouakchott timezone.

Population

1,184,530

Global Rank

#444

Country Rank

#1

% of Mauritania

24.04%

Nouakchott on the Map

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Mauritania at a Glance

Country Population

4,927,532

Capital

Nouakchott

Region

Western Africa

Major Cities

2

GDP per Capita

$2,110

Life Expectancy

68.5 years

Urban Population

60.6%

Growth Rate

0.01%

Other Major Cities in Mauritania

Nouadhibou
146K

Nearest Major Cities

Closest cities to Nouakchott with over 100,000 people

Cities closest to Nouakchott by distance
CityPopulationDistance
Saint-Louis254,171236 km
Louga113,365276 km
Nouadhibou146,048336 km
Touba1,120,824359 km
Tivaouane102,658360 km
Mbaké101,451367 km
Thiès317,763380 km
Thiès Nones252,320382 km

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the population of Nouakchott?

The population of Nouakchott, Mauritania is approximately 1,184,530 people, making it the 444th largest city in the world and the 1st largest in Mauritania.

Is Nouakchott the capital of Mauritania?

Yes, Nouakchott is the capital of Mauritania.

What timezone is Nouakchott in?

Nouakchott is in the Africa/Nouakchott timezone.