Flag of algeria Algeria vs Flag of mauritania Mauritania

International relations comparison · updated Oct 2026
5.08 / 10
Neutral

The relation between Algeria and Mauritania is NEUTRAL, with an overall score of 5.08 out of 10.

Chance of conflict between both countries: rare

Do our numbers match your view?
Combined score 5.4/10 · 1 vote · 100.0% say "better"

Head to head: who leads each category

Population
Algeria 47.4M Leads
Mauritania 5.3M
GDP
Algeria $287.0B Leads
Mauritania $11.7B
Military expenditure
Algeria $21.8B Leads
Mauritania $260.1M
Global influence rank
Algeria #71 Leads
Mauritania #156

About this relationship

Mauritania and Algeria maintain close relations based on geographic proximity, security cooperation, trade and shared interests in the Maghreb and Sahel.

The two countries cooperate on border security and regional stability, particularly given the security challenges affecting the wider Sahel region.

Economic relations include food products, fuel, construction materials and other goods, while cross-border infrastructure and transport connections provide opportunities for greater trade.

Both governments also cooperate through Arab, African and Islamic organizations and maintain regular political consultations on regional issues.

Overall, Mauritania and Algeria maintain close neighboring relations centered on security, trade, regional diplomacy and infrastructure connectivity.

·
47.4MLeads
Population
5.3M
2.4M km²Leads
Land area
1.0M km²
Algiers
Capital
Nouakchott
Islam
Main religion
Islam
76 years
Life expectancy
59 years

Strengths & comparison

Population Algeria is 8.92x larger
Land area Algeria is 2.32x larger

The position in the international influence ranking of Algeria is 71, while Mauritania is situated 85 places below in the ranking (position 156). Algeria maintains contact with 51 countries, while Mauritania maintains contact with 19 countries. Algeria maintains an excellent relation with 3 countries, while in the case of Mauritania, this figure drops to 0.

About Algeria

Algeria is a country located in North Africa, bordering the Mediterranean Sea to the north, Tunisia to the northeast, Libya to the east, Niger to the southeast, Mali and Mauritania to the southwest, and Morocco to the west. It is the largest country in Africa and the Arab world, and the tenth-largest in the world.

Algeria has a long and complex history, having been ruled by various empires and powers throughout its history, including the Roman Empire, the Ottoman Empire, and the French colonial empire. It gained independence from France in 1962, after a long and bloody struggle known as the Algerian War of Independence.

Since independence, Algeria has been ruled by a series of authoritarian governments, and has faced several internal conflicts and political instability. However, it has also made significant economic and social progress, with a strong focus on education and the development of its natural resources, particularly oil and natural gas.

Geopolitically, Algeria is an important player in the region, and is a member of the Arab League and the African Union. It has strong ties to its neighbors and other countries in the region, and is involved in regional efforts to promote stability and cooperation. It is also a major player in the global energy market, and is a key supplier of oil and natural gas to Europe and other parts of the world.

Geography & terrain

A narrow, fertile Mediterranean coastal strip gives way to the Atlas Mountains and then the vast Sahara Desert, which covers most of the country. Climate ranges from Mediterranean on the coast to hot and arid in the interior. The desert interior is a formidable natural barrier against invasion, though the populated coastal belt is more exposed to seaborne attack.

About Mauritania

Mauritania is a country located in northwest Africa. It is bordered by Western Sahara to the north, Algeria to the northeast, Mali to the east and southeast, and Senegal to the southwest. The country has a population of about 4.5 million people and its capital and largest city is Nouakchott.

Mauritania gained independence from France in 1960 and has since experienced periods of political instability and authoritarian rule. The country is a presidential republic, with the president serving as both the head of state and government.

Mauritania has a predominantly desert climate, with most of the country being covered by the Sahara Desert. The economy is largely based on agriculture, livestock, and fishing, as well as iron ore mining and oil production. The country has significant reserves of iron ore, which is a major export.

Mauritania has a diverse population, with various ethnic and linguistic groups. The majority of the population is Arab or Berber, and the official language is Arabic. The country has a predominantly Muslim population, with a small minority of Christians and people following traditional African religions.

Mauritania has faced a number of challenges, including poverty, food insecurity, and political instability. In recent years, the country has also been impacted by climate change, with prolonged drought and desertification affecting much of the country. In addition, Mauritania has struggled with issues related to human rights, including slavery and discrimination against certain groups, particularly women and ethnic minorities.

Geography & terrain

Overwhelmingly Saharan desert terrain — dunes, rocky plateaus, and sparse vegetation — with a narrower fertile strip along the Senegal River in the south. Hot and arid climate nearly everywhere. Long Atlantic coastline in the west. The vast desert interior is a formidable natural barrier that has long limited large-scale invasion and made central control over remote regions difficult.

Source: World Bank Open Data. Most recent available data
Algeria Mauritania
Government type Semi-presidential republic Presidential republic (Islamic republic)
GDP $287.0BLeads $11.7B
GDP per capita $6.1KLeads $2.2K
Military expenditure $21.8BLeads $260.1M
Military expenditure per capita $460Leads $49
Land military expenditure (estimation) $10.9BLeads $156.0M
Air military expenditure (estimation) $5.5BLeads $52.0M
Naval military expenditure (estimation) $5.5BLeads $52.0M
Nuclear power No No
European Union Not a member Not a member
NATO Not a member Not a member

Algeria and Mauritania also share membership in: African Union Arab League

Strengths & comparison

Military expenditure Algeria is 83.87x larger
Land (estimation)
$10.9B$156.0M
Air (estimation)
$5.5B$52.0M
Naval (estimation)
$5.5B$52.0M

The capitals of Algeria and Mauritania are approximately 2 788 km apart (straight-line distance). There is a standard time difference of about 1.0 hours between them.

Based on shared language, currency, economic profile, borders and international groups, Algeria and Mauritania score a 75/100 similarity index. This is a fun, approximate metric — not a scientific one.

Which side is each country closer to?

Map legend
Closer to Algeria Closer to Mauritania

Comparing Algeria's and Mauritania's scores against the same third countries shows where each one has a clear edge. Algeria scores noticeably higher with: China, Russia, Israel, Turkey, Egypt.Mauritania scores noticeably higher with: Libya, United States, France, India, United Arab Emirates.

The relation between Algeria and Mauritania has improved recently by 1.3 points, reaching an overall score of 5.1 from a previous value of 3.8.

Score history

Jan 2022: 2.0/10 Feb 2022: 3.4/10 Mar 2022: 3.8/10 May 2022: 3.8/10 Jul 2022: 3.8/10 Sep 2022: 3.8/10 Oct 2022: 3.8/10 Nov 2022: 3.8/10 Dec 2022: 3.8/10 Jan 2023: 3.8/10 Jun 2023: 3.8/10 Oct 2023: 3.8/10 Nov 2023: 3.8/10 Jan 2024: 3.8/10 Feb 2024: 3.8/10 Mar 2024: 3.8/10 May 2024: 3.8/10 Aug 2024: 3.8/10 Apr 2025: 3.8/10 Aug 2025: 3.8/10 Aug 2026: 5.1/10
2022 2023 2024 2025 2026
5.1

Let's suppose a hypothetical conflict occurs between both countries:

Solo scenario: Algeria vs Mauritania
Algeria 79.5%Winner Mauritania 20.5%
Battle narrative

Initial phase

Algeria's larger military budget and stronger air power give it an advantage in the initial stages of the conflict, with the ability to target key military positions and infrastructure.

Force composition

Algeria can also call on significantly more personnel, counting both active-duty and reserve forces. Algeria's advantage extends to naval power as well.

Ground campaign

Algeria's terrain could make a rapid ground campaign difficult: The desert interior is a formidable natural barrier against invasion, though the populated coastal belt is more exposed to seaborne attack. Port of Algiers would likely be a focal point of the campaign: Algeria's capital and largest port, the primary entry point for seaborne supplies and reinforcements. Mauritania's terrain could make a rapid ground campaign difficult: The vast desert interior is a formidable natural barrier that has long limited large-scale invasion and made central control over remote regions difficult. Nouakchott would likely be a focal point of the campaign: The capital and main port, concentrating the country's administrative functions and its principal Atlantic coast access. Algeria's larger population could also support a prolonged resistance.

Prolonged conflict

Algeria's stronger economy could help sustain military operations in a prolonged conflict. Algeria also devotes a larger share of its economy to defense (about 7.6% of GDP), a more militarized posture that could be easier to sustain over time. Occupying Mauritania outright would likely prove costly given its terrain.

Overall assessment

Algeria enters this matchup as the stronger side on paper, with roughly a 79.5% probability of winning. That advantage would still need to be converted into an actual battlefield result against Mauritania, which real conflicts rarely guarantee.

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