Authored by the expert who managed and guided the team behind the Mauritania Property Pack
Everything you need to know before buying real estate is included in our Mauritania Property Pack
If you're researching housing prices in Mauritania for 2026, you're in the right place because this article covers everything from current property values to long-term forecasts.
We update this blog post regularly to ensure you always have access to the freshest data available on Mauritania's real estate market.
And if you're planning to buy a property in this place, you may want to download our pack covering the real estate market in Mauritania.
Insights
- Property prices in Nouakchott's city center are nearly three times higher than outside the center, with prime areas averaging 136,000 MRU per square meter versus 46,000 MRU in outer districts.
- Mauritania's residential market has seen a 143% nominal price increase since 2020, making it one of the faster-growing property markets in West Africa during this period.
- Rental yields in Mauritania remain modest at 1.8% to 3.2%, which is lower than many African markets, due to high purchase prices relative to rental income.
- Over 90% of formal property transactions in Mauritania happen in Nouakchott, making the capital the only city with consistent and reliable real estate data.
- Mortgage rates in Mauritania hover around 16%, which severely limits the pool of financed buyers and means most property purchases are cash transactions.
- The price-to-income ratio in Nouakchott stands at nearly 15, indicating significant affordability challenges for local buyers compared to regional standards.
- Tevragh-Zeina and Ksar are the two neighborhoods driving most of the price growth in Nouakchott, with expat demand and limited supply pushing values higher each year.
- Mauritania's urban population is expected to reach 69% by 2043, which creates a structural floor under housing demand in Nouakchott for the foreseeable future.
What are the current property price trends in Mauritania as of 2026?
What is the average house price in Mauritania as of 2026?
As of early 2026, the estimated average house price in Mauritania ranges between 40 million and 85 million MRU (approximately $1 million to $2.1 million USD, or around €950,000 to €2 million EUR), though this varies widely depending on location and property type.
The average price per square meter for residential properties in Mauritania sits between 60,000 and 95,000 MRU (roughly $1,500 to $2,400 USD, or €1,400 to €2,200 EUR), with Nouakchott's city center commanding significantly higher prices than peripheral areas.
The realistic price range that covers roughly 80% of property purchases in Mauritania falls between 15 million and 120 million MRU (about $380,000 to $3 million USD, or €350,000 to €2.8 million EUR), reflecting the market's split between affordable outer-district homes and premium villas in prime Nouakchott neighborhoods.
How much have property prices increased in Mauritania over the past 12 months?
Property prices in Mauritania increased by an estimated 4% to 8% nationally over the past 12 months, with prime Nouakchott areas experiencing growth closer to 7% to 12% during the same period.
The realistic range of price increases across different property types in Mauritania varied from flat to 5% for outer districts and secondary cities, while well-finished apartments and mid-market houses in desirable Nouakchott neighborhoods saw the strongest gains of 8% to 12%.
The single most significant factor driving this price movement in Mauritania was the continued urban population growth concentrated in Nouakchott, which pushed more households to compete for a limited supply of well-serviced housing in the capital.
Which neighborhoods have the fastest rising property prices in Mauritania as of 2026?
As of early 2026, the top three neighborhoods with the fastest rising property prices in Mauritania are Tevragh-Zeina, Ksar, and Teyarett, all located in Nouakchott where the vast majority of formal transactions occur.
The approximate annual price growth for Tevragh-Zeina is 10% to 14%, for Ksar it is 8% to 12%, and for Teyarett it is 6% to 10%, with these figures reflecting the premium buyers pay for security, services, and proximity to embassies and businesses.
The main demand driver explaining why these neighborhoods experience the fastest price growth is the scarcity of well-serviced land combined with strong rental demand from expatriates, embassy staff, and international organizations based in Nouakchott.
By the way, you will find much more detailed price ranges across neighborhoods in our property pack covering the real estate market in Mauritania.
We have made this infographic to give you a quick and clear snapshot of the property market in Mauritania. It highlights key facts like rental prices, yields, and property costs both in city centers and outside, so you can easily compare opportunities. We’ve done some research and also included useful insights about the country’s economy, like GDP, population, and interest rates, to help you understand the bigger picture.
Which property types are increasing faster in value in Mauritania as of 2026?
As of early 2026, the estimated ranking of property types by value appreciation rate in Mauritania is: well-finished apartments in prime areas (fastest), mid-sized family houses with reliable utilities (second), entry-level villas (third), and large luxury villas (slowest due to thin buyer pools).
The approximate annual appreciation percentage for the top-performing property type, which is well-finished apartments in prime Nouakchott locations, is 8% to 12%, outpacing other property types by a notable margin.
The main reason apartments are outperforming other property types in Mauritania is that they are the easiest to rent to expatriates who prefer "lock-and-leave" living with reliable utilities, and they attract a broader buyer pool due to more accessible price points.
Finally, if you're interested in a specific property type, you will find our latest analyses here:
What is driving property prices up or down in Mauritania as of 2026?
As of early 2026, the estimated top three factors driving property prices in Mauritania are urban population growth concentrated in Nouakchott, economic tailwinds from the gas and mining investment cycle, and rising construction costs for quality housing with reliable utilities.
The single factor with the strongest upward pressure on property prices in Mauritania is the continued migration of households into Nouakchott, where serviced land remains scarce and demand for secure, well-located housing consistently outpaces new supply.
If you want to understand these factors at a deeper level, you can read our latest property market analysis about Mauritania here.
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What is the property price forecast for Mauritania in 2026?
How much are property prices expected to increase in Mauritania in 2026?
As of early 2026, property prices in Mauritania are expected to increase by 3% to 7% nationally over the course of the year, with prime Nouakchott areas likely to see growth closer to 6% to 10%.
The realistic range of forecasts from different analysts for property price growth in Mauritania spans from a conservative 2% to 4% for secondary markets up to 10% to 12% for the most sought-after neighborhoods in the capital.
The main assumption underlying most price increase forecasts for Mauritania is that GDP growth will remain around 4% to 5% driven by gas, mining, and investment projects, while inflation stays contained and urbanization continues to funnel demand into Nouakchott.
We go deeper and try to understand how solid are these forecasts in our pack covering the property market in Mauritania.
Which neighborhoods will see the highest price growth in Mauritania in 2026?
As of early 2026, the neighborhoods expected to see the highest price growth in Mauritania are Ksar, select parts of Teyarett undergoing redevelopment, edges of Tevragh-Zeina where spillover buyers land, and Riyadh where affordability meets improving infrastructure.
The projected price growth percentage for these top neighborhoods in Mauritania ranges from 7% to 12% for Ksar, 6% to 10% for Teyarett upgrade pockets, and 5% to 8% for Riyadh and the Tevragh-Zeina edges.
The primary catalyst driving expected growth in these neighborhoods is the combination of liquidity (more buyers can afford properties there), improving accessibility, and proximity to services that make them attractive for both owner-occupiers and rental investors.
One emerging neighborhood in Mauritania that could surprise with higher-than-expected growth is Nouakchott Nord, especially in coastal-facing pockets where infrastructure improvements align with the city's long-range SDAU 2040 masterplan.
By the way, we've written a blog article detailing what are the current best areas to invest in property in Mauritania.
What property types will appreciate the most in Mauritania in 2026?
As of early 2026, the property type expected to appreciate the most in Mauritania is the 2 to 3 bedroom apartment in prime or near-prime Nouakchott districts that cater to expatriate and upper-middle-class local demand.
The projected appreciation percentage for this top-performing property type in Mauritania is 8% to 12%, driven by consistent rental demand and a broader pool of potential buyers compared to larger properties.
The main demand trend driving appreciation for apartments in Mauritania is the growing preference among expatriates and professionals for move-in-ready units with reliable utilities, security features, and proximity to workplaces and international schools.
The property type expected to underperform in Mauritania is the large luxury villa segment, which will likely see appreciation of only 3% to 6% because the buyer pool is thin and transactions are less frequent, making price gains more sporadic.
We did some research and made this infographic to help you quickly compare rental yields of the major cities in Mauritania versus those in neighboring countries. It provides a clear view of how this country positions itself as a real estate investment destination, which might interest you if you’re planning to invest there.
How will interest rates affect property prices in Mauritania in 2026?
As of early 2026, the estimated impact of current interest rate trends on property prices in Mauritania is limited for the mass market because most buyers purchase with cash, while high borrowing costs continue to cap financed demand in outer districts.
The current benchmark policy rate in Mauritania is around 6%, but mortgage rates for borrowers typically range from 8% to 16%, and these rates are expected to remain elevated through 2026 given persistent structural constraints in the banking sector.
A 1% change in interest rates typically has a muted effect on property prices in Mauritania because the mortgage market is shallow, but it could shift affordability at the margin for the small pool of financed buyers, potentially adding or subtracting 1% to 2% from price growth in affected segments.
You can also read our latest update about mortgage and interest rates in Mauritania.
What are the biggest risks for property prices in Mauritania in 2026?
As of early 2026, the estimated top three biggest risks for property prices in Mauritania are a growth disappointment from delays in gas or mining projects, infrastructure under-delivery that leaves promising neighborhoods without reliable services, and thin-market volatility where a few forced sales can reset price expectations.
The single risk with the highest probability of materializing in Mauritania is infrastructure under-delivery, because neighborhoods priced for "future quality" can quickly lose value if roads, water, and power improvements fail to arrive on schedule.
We actually cover all these risks and their likelihoods in our pack about the real estate market in Mauritania.
Is it a good time to buy a rental property in Mauritania in 2026?
As of early 2026, the overall assessment is that it can be a good time to buy a rental property in Mauritania if you focus on Nouakchott's prime and near-prime districts where expatriate rental demand is consistent and reliable.
The strongest argument in favor of buying a rental property now in Mauritania is that well-finished apartments in Tevragh-Zeina or Ksar attract a steady pool of embassy staff, NGO workers, and international business professionals willing to pay premium rents for quality housing.
The strongest argument for waiting before buying a rental property in Mauritania is that rental yields remain modest at 1.8% to 3.2%, which means purchase prices have outpaced rental income growth, so pure yield plays may not generate strong returns in the short term.
If you want to know our latest analysis (results may differ from what you just read), you can read our assessment on whether now is a good time to buy a property in Mauritania.
You'll also find a dedicated document about this specific question in our pack about real estate in Mauritania.
Buying real estate in Mauritania can be risky
An increasing number of foreign investors are showing interest. However, 90% of them will make mistakes. Avoid the pitfalls with our comprehensive guide.
Where will property prices be in 5 years in Mauritania?
What is the 5-year property price forecast for Mauritania as of 2026?
As of early 2026, the estimated cumulative property price growth expected over the next 5 years in Mauritania is 20% to 45% nationally, with prime Nouakchott potentially reaching 30% to 60% if growth and urbanization stay on track.
The range of 5-year forecasts from optimistic to conservative scenarios in Mauritania spans from a conservative 15% to 20% total gain (assuming slower growth and infrastructure delays) to an optimistic 50% to 65% (assuming strong gas revenues and accelerated urban development).
The projected average annual appreciation rate over the next 5 years in Mauritania is 4% to 8% per year compounded, which reflects moderate but steady growth driven by urbanization and economic diversification.
The key assumption most forecasters rely on for their 5-year property price predictions in Mauritania is that Nouakchott will continue to absorb most of the country's urban population growth while gas and mining revenues support infrastructure investment and job creation.
Which areas in Mauritania will have the best price growth over the next 5 years?
The estimated top three areas in Mauritania expected to have the best price growth over the next 5 years are spillover zones around Tevragh-Zeina and Ksar, Teyarett upgrade pockets, and Riyadh growth corridors where infrastructure improvements will have the biggest impact.
The projected 5-year cumulative price growth for these top-performing areas in Mauritania is 35% to 60% for Tevragh-Zeina spillover zones, 30% to 50% for Teyarett, and 25% to 45% for Riyadh, assuming continued urbanization and infrastructure delivery.
The 5-year forecast differs from the shorter 2026 forecast because it captures the full impact of infrastructure projects and planning initiatives that take several years to complete, meaning areas like Nouakchott Nord and Riyadh can catch up to currently priced-in neighborhoods.
The currently undervalued area in Mauritania with the best potential for outperformance over 5 years is Dar Naim, which offers entry-level prices and can rise quickly in percentage terms from its low base as urban expansion reaches its boundaries.
What property type will give the best return in Mauritania over 5 years as of 2026?
As of early 2026, the estimated property type expected to give the best total return over 5 years in Mauritania is the mid-sized apartment (2 to 3 bedrooms) in strong-rental districts, which combines reliable appreciation with consistent rental income.
The projected 5-year total return (appreciation plus rental income) for this top-performing property type in Mauritania is 40% to 70%, assuming 25% to 45% capital appreciation and cumulative rental yields adding another 10% to 20% after expenses.
The main structural trend favoring apartments over the next 5 years in Mauritania is the continued growth of the expatriate and professional tenant pool in Nouakchott, which creates steady demand for well-maintained units with reliable utilities and security.
The property type offering the best balance of return and lower risk over 5 years in Mauritania is the mid-market family house with solved utilities (generator and water setup already in place), because it attracts a wide buyer pool and requires less ongoing capital expenditure.
How will new infrastructure projects affect property prices in Mauritania over 5 years?
The estimated top three major infrastructure projects expected to impact property prices in Mauritania over the next 5 years are road and drainage upgrades under the Moudoun urban development program, utility expansions improving water and power reliability, and developments aligned with the Nouakchott SDAU 2040 masterplan.
The typical price premium for properties near completed infrastructure projects in Mauritania is 15% to 30% compared to similar properties in areas without those improvements, reflecting the value buyers place on reliable services and better accessibility.
The specific neighborhoods that will benefit most from these infrastructure developments in Mauritania are Riyadh, Arafat, and parts of Nouakchott Nord, where planned road connections and utility improvements can shift perceptions from "discounted" to "properly valued."
How will population growth and other factors impact property values in Mauritania in 5 years?
The estimated projected population growth rate in Mauritania is around 2.5% to 3% annually, with urban population expected to reach nearly 60% by 2030, and this continued urbanization is expected to maintain strong demand pressure on housing in Nouakchott over the next 5 years.
The demographic shift that will have the strongest influence on property demand in Mauritania is the growth of the middle-income professional class, driven by jobs in mining support services, government, and international organizations, which will increase demand for quality mid-market housing.
Migration patterns, both rural-to-urban movement and incoming expatriates tied to gas and mining operations, are expected to keep demand elevated in Nouakchott and Nouadhibou, with property values in these cities outpacing the national average by 2 to 4 percentage points annually.
The property types and areas that will benefit most from these demographic trends in Mauritania are apartments and mid-sized houses in Tevragh-Zeina, Ksar, and Riyadh, where the combination of professional tenant demand and improving family affordability creates the deepest buyer and renter pools.
We made this infographic to show you how property prices in Mauritania compare to other big cities across the region. It breaks down the average price per square meter in city centers, so you can see how cities stack up. It’s an easy way to spot where you might get the best value for your money. We hope you like it.
What is the 10 year property price outlook in Mauritania?
What is the 10-year property price prediction for Mauritania as of 2026?
As of early 2026, the estimated cumulative property price growth expected over the next 10 years in Mauritania is 50% to 120% nationally, with prime Nouakchott potentially exceeding this range if urban growth stays strong and serviced land remains scarce.
The range of 10-year forecasts from optimistic to conservative scenarios in Mauritania spans from a conservative 40% to 60% total gain (assuming slower growth and execution challenges) to an optimistic 100% to 150% (assuming successful gas commercialization and accelerated infrastructure delivery).
The projected average annual appreciation rate over the next 10 years in Mauritania is 4% to 8% per year compounded, which is consistent with the 5-year outlook but carries wider uncertainty due to the longer time horizon.
The biggest uncertainty factor in making 10-year property price predictions for Mauritania is whether the government can successfully translate gas and mining revenues into broad-based infrastructure improvements and economic diversification that sustain demand beyond the current investment cycle.
What long-term economic factors will shape property prices in Mauritania?
The estimated top three long-term economic factors that will shape property prices in Mauritania over the next decade are resource-cycle stability (whether gas and mining revenues translate into sustainable growth), urban planning and service delivery (whether Nouakchott becomes more livable across more districts), and financial deepening (whether mortgages become more accessible to broaden demand).
The single long-term economic factor that will have the most positive impact on property values in Mauritania is successful economic diversification beyond extractives, which would create a more stable job market and support consistent housing demand even when commodity prices fluctuate.
The single long-term economic factor that poses the greatest structural risk to property values in Mauritania is climate and land constraints, because in this coastal and desert-edge context, the quality and availability of serviced land will become increasingly important over time.
You'll also find a much more detailed analysis in our pack about real estate in Mauritania.
What sources have we used to write this blog article?
Whether it's in our blog articles or the market analyses included in our property pack about Mauritania, we always rely on the strongest methodology we can … and we don't throw out numbers at random.
We also aim to be fully transparent, so below we've listed the authoritative sources we used, and explained how we used them and the methods behind our estimates.
| Source | Why it's authoritative | How we used it |
|---|---|---|
| Mauritania National Statistics Agency (ANSADE) | It's the official government producer of Mauritania's inflation and cost-of-living data. | We used it to anchor inflation trends and the housing/utilities CPI component. We also used it to gauge how much room exists for property prices to rise in real terms. |
| World Bank Mauritania Overview | It's the World Bank's official country page with macro snapshots and growth projections. | We used it to frame the 2025-2027 growth drivers like gas, mining, and investment. We used those expectations to shape our 2026 and 5-10 year housing demand forecasts. |
| World Bank Macro Poverty Outlook (Mauritania) | It's a World Bank macro snapshot that's widely used and easy to verify. | We used it to triangulate growth and inflation expectations for 2025-2026. We used that macro path to build a conservative baseline for price forecasts. |
| IMF DataMapper (Mauritania profile) | It's an IMF-run data portal that links directly to IMF forecast datasets. | We used it to sanity-check macro indicators against other sources. We used it as a consistency check when triangulating baseline versus upside versus downside scenarios. |
| IMF World Economic Outlook | It's the IMF's flagship global forecast publication. | We used it to cross-check the global backdrop that affects capital flows into frontier markets. We also used it to keep our forecast assumptions realistic. |
| UN World Urbanization Prospects | It's the UN's standard reference for urbanization and city growth data. | We used it to justify why Nouakchott dominates demand. We used it to support the structural floor under housing demand in the capital. |
| Wise Currency Converter | It's a widely used FX reference with transparent historical quotes. | We used it to convert MRU price levels into USD for international comparison. We also used it to avoid made-up exchange rates in our estimates. |
| Numbeo (Nouakchott property prices) | It's a transparent crowd-sourced dataset with visible sample size and ranges. | We used it as a market signal for price-per-square-meter and rent ranges in Nouakchott. We tempered it using official inflation and macro data to avoid over-extrapolating. |
| Trading Economics (Mauritania CPI Housing) | It's a reputable aggregator that typically cites official sources and provides time series context. | We used it as a quick cross-check that housing cost trends match ANSADE's narrative. We used it only to confirm direction and recency, not as sole truth. |
| Central Bank of Mauritania (BCM) | It's the official central bank site, the primary authority on policy and interest rates. | We used it to confirm the timing of the latest monetary policy communication. We used this to discuss how borrowing conditions affect housing affordability. |
| BCM Monetary Policy Council | It's an official BCM page describing the policy framework and mandate. | We used it to ground our interest rates section in the central bank's role. We used it to align our discussion with BCM's stated objectives on price stability. |
| OpenSooq (Nouakchott listings) | It's a large regional classifieds platform with real-time listings. | We used it to sanity-check that the range of prices and property types we discuss actually exist in current listings. We did not treat it like an official index. |
| Arab Urban Development Institute (SDAU 2040) | It's an institution-focused urban development source summarizing official planning initiatives. | We used it to identify how major planning direction could shift neighborhood desirability. We used it to justify why some corridors can outperform over 5-10 years. |
| Worldometer Mauritania GDP | It aggregates IMF data in a clear, accessible format. | We used it to quickly reference current GDP levels and growth rates. We cross-checked this against other sources for consistency. |
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If you want to go deeper, you can read the following: