Population: 1,995,755 (July 1991), growth rate 3.1% (1991)

Birth rate: 49 births/1,000 population (1991)

Death rate: 18 deaths/1,000 population (1991)

Net migration rate: 0 migrants/1,000 population (1991)

Infant mortality rate: 94 deaths/1,000 live births (1991)

Life expectancy at birth: 44 years male, 50 years female (1991)

Total fertility rate: 7.2 children born/woman (1991)

Nationality: noun--Mauritanian(s); adjective--Mauritanian

Ethnic divisions: mixed Maur/black 40%, Maur 30%, black 30%

Religion: Muslim, nearly 100%

Language: Hasaniya Arabic (national); French (official); Toucouleur, Fula, Sarakole, Wolof

Literacy: 34% (male 47%, female 21%) age 10 and over can read and write (1990 est.)

Labor force: 465,000 (1981 est.); 45,000 wage earners (1980); agriculture 47%, services 29%, industry and commerce 14%, government 10%; 53% of population of working age (1985)

Organized labor: 30,000 members claimed by single union, Mauritanian Workers' Union

NOTE: The information regarding Mauritania on this page is re-published from the 1991 World Fact Book of the United States Central Intelligence Agency. No claims are made regarding the accuracy of Mauritania People 1991 information contained here. All suggestions for corrections of any errors about Mauritania People 1991 should be addressed to the CIA.