Mauritania Crime Rate & Safety
Homicide statistics, crime trends, and travel safety for Mauritania
Mauritania recorded 1.0 intentional homicides per 100,000 people in 2020, a rate that is low by global standards. That places Mauritania #150 of 195 countries by homicide rate, compared with the Africa average of 7.6 per 100,000 and a world average of 5.2. Homicide has stayed rare over the past decade (1.2 per 100,000 in 2018, 1.0 today). For travelers, the US State Department currently rates Mauritania at Level 3 of 4: Reconsider Travel.
Homicide Rate
1.0 /100k
Safety Rank
#46 of 195
Travel Advisory
Level 3 of 4
Data Year
2020
Homicide Rate Trend (2018-2020)
Intentional homicides per 100,000 people. Homicide has stayed rare over the past decade (1.2 per 100,000 in 2018, 1.0 today). Source: UNODC via World Bank.
How Mauritania Compares
Intentional homicides per 100,000 people, latest available year per country.
Armed Conflict Context
Mauritania has recorded battle-related deaths in recent years. Conflict deaths are counted separately from homicides — a country can have a moderate crime rate but significant conflict risk, and travel advisories weigh both.
Battle-Related Deaths
3(2024)
Military Spending
2.2% GDP(2024)
Safety for Travelers
Summary of the current US State Department advisory for Mauritania:
Reissued after periodic review with minor edits. Reconsider travel to Mauritania due to terrorism and crime . Some areas have increased risk. Read the entire Travel Advisory. Do Not Travel To: Areas marked off-limits by the Mauritanian military. These areas are unsafe due to security risks and terrorist activities. All areas north of the Tropic of Cancer All areas within 100 KM of the Mali and Algeria Border Country Summary: Violent crimes occur frequently outside the Tevragh Zeina neighborhoods in Nouakchott. They include mugging, armed robbery, and assault.
Level 1
Exercise Normal Precautions
Level 2
Exercise Increased Caution
Level 3
Reconsider Travel
Level 4
Do Not Travel
About This Data
Homicide figures are intentional homicides per 100,000 people, compiled by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and published by the World Bank (indicator VC.IHR.PSRC.P5). Homicide is the most reliably comparable crime statistic across countries because definitions of other offences (assault, theft, robbery) vary widely between national legal systems and reporting practices.
Travel advisory levels are issued by the US Department of State and updated continuously. They reflect risks to travelers including crime, terrorism, civil unrest, health, and natural disasters — not only crime rates. Countries report crime data with different lags; the most recent available year is shown for each metric.
Mauritania Population & Demographics
Population of 5,169,395, growth trends, economy, and more.
Crime & Safety in Neighboring Countries
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Mauritania safe to visit?
The US State Department rates Mauritania at Level 3 of 4 (Reconsider Travel). The homicide rate of 1.0 per 100,000 is low by global standards.
What is the crime rate in Mauritania?
Mauritania has an intentional homicide rate of 1.0 per 100,000 people (2020, World Bank/UNODC), ranking #150 of 195 countries.
What is the US travel advisory level for Mauritania?
Mauritania is currently at Level 3: Reconsider Travel. Advisory levels range from Level 1 (Exercise Normal Precautions) to Level 4 (Do Not Travel).
How does crime in Mauritania compare to other countries?
Mauritania's homicide rate of 1.0 per 100,000 is below the world average of 5.2 and below the Africa average of 7.6.