Mauritania: UNICEF Warns of Deepening Child Vulnerabilities in Education, Health

The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has raised serious concerns over the condition of children and adolescents in Mauritania, warning of widespread deficits in education, health, nutrition and social protection systems.

In its latest Situation Analysis of Children and Adolescents report, presented in Nouakchott, the organization paints a stark picture of systemic challenges affecting child development and future prospects.

A key finding reveals that 95 per cent of 10-year-old children in the country are unable to read and understand a simple text, underscoring what UNICEF describes as a profound learning crisis. The report further indicates that fewer than 1 per cent of teachers possess the required competencies, while many schools continue to struggle with shortages of textbooks and basic learning materials.

On health and nutrition, the situation is equally concerning. The report states that 13.5 per cent of children suffer from acute malnutrition, while 77 per cent are affected by anaemia. In rural areas, the anaemia rate rises to 82 per cent, reflecting significant disparities in access to healthcare services.

Access to basic services remains uneven, with about 78 per cent of the population having access to drinking water, though sanitation gaps persist between urban and rural communities.

The report also highlights child protection concerns, noting that around 4,000 children are in conflict with the law, according to the Ministry of Justice. Additionally, more than 41 per cent of children are not registered at birth, limiting their access to essential rights and public services.

UNICEF also draws attention to ongoing violence against women and girls, alongside extreme poverty, which continues to drive school dropouts and deepen social inequality. Children living with disabilities are identified as particularly vulnerable, with limited access to healthcare, education and employment opportunities.

Overall, the findings point to a generation facing multiple structural barriers, raising urgent questions about long-term human development outcomes in Mauritania.