Introduction
Background
Chad, part of France's African holdings until 1960, endured six decades of internal conflicts with armed rebel groups, including a period of civil war in 1979-1982 and a Libyan invasion in the 1980s. The government eventually drafted a democratic constitution but has held flawed presidential elections since 1996. The country has struggled with poverty, a weak economy, and terrorist insurgencies.
Geography
Area
total: 1.284 million sq km
land: 1,259,200 sq km
water: 24,800 sq km
Climate
tropical in south, desert in north
Natural resources
petroleum, uranium, natron, kaolin, fish (Lake Chad), gold, limestone, sand and gravel, salt
People and Society
Population
18,523,165 (2023 est.)
Ethnic groups
Sara (Ngambaye/Sara/Madjingaye/Mbaye) 30.5%, Kanembu/Bornu/Buduma 9.8%, Arab 9.7%, Wadai/Maba/Masalit/Mimi 7%, Gorane 5.8%, Masa/Musseye/Musgum 4.9%, Bulala/Medogo/Kuka 3.7%, Marba/Lele/Mesme 3.5%, Mundang 2.7%, Bidiyo/Migaama/Kenga/Dangleat 2.5%, Dadjo/Kibet/Muro 2.4%, Tupuri/Kera 2%, Gabri/Kabalaye/Nanchere/Somrai 2%, Fulani/Fulbe/Bodore 1.8%, Karo/Zime/Peve 1.3%, Baguirmi/Barma 1.2%, Zaghawa/Bideyat/Kobe 1.1%, Tama/Assongori/Mararit 1.1%, Mesmedje/Massalat/Kadjakse 0.8%, other Chadian ethnicities 3.4%, Chadians of foreign ethnicities 0.9%, foreign nationals 0.3%, unspecified 1.7% (2014-15 est.)
Languages
French (official), Arabic (official), Sara (in south), more than 120 different languages and dialects
Religions
Muslim 52.1%, Protestant 23.9%, Roman Catholic 20%, animist 0.3%, other Christian 0.2%, none 2.8%, unspecified 0.7% (2014-15 est.)
Population growth rate
3.05% (2023 est.)
Government
Government type
presidential republic
Capital
name: N'Djamena
Executive branch
chief of state: Transitional President Mahamat Idriss DEBY (since 20 April 2021); note - on 20 April 2021, newly reelected President Idriss DEBY Itno, Lt. Gen., died of injuries sustained following clashes between government forces he was commanding and insurgents in the northern part of the country; following his death, Mahamat Idriss DEBY took control of the country and dismissed the Chadian parliament, establishing a Transitional Military Council (TMC) and promising elections within 18 months; the transition was extended for 24 months and the TMC was dissolved in October 2022, postponing elections until 31 October 2024
head of government: Prime Minister Succès MASRA (since 1 January 2024)
Legislative branch
description: formerly a unicameral National Assembly or Assemblée Nationale (188 seats; 163 directly elected in multi-seat constituencies by proportional representation vote and 25 directly elected in single-seat constituencies by absolute majority vote with a second round if needed; members serve 4-year terms); note - on 5 October 2021, Interim President Mahamat Idriss DEBY installed 93 members of an interim parliament, called the National Transitional Council (NTC), replacing the National Assembly, which was disbanded after he took control of the country on 20 April 2021; according to DEBY, the NTC will act as a national assembly of transition until the country’s next elections take place
Economy
Economic overview
primarily oil-based economy, vulnerable to regional competition and international price shocks; increasing extreme poverty and minimal human capital capacities; one of the most environmentally disrupted economies; high maternal and infant mortality rates destabilizing labor force potentials
Real GDP (purchasing power parity)
$25.037 billion (2022 est.)
$24.49 billion (2021 est.)
$24.787 billion (2020 est.)
Real GDP per capita
$1,400 (2022 est.)
$1,400 (2021 est.)
$1,500 (2020 est.)
Agricultural products
sorghum, groundnuts, millet, yams, cereals, sugar cane, beef, maize, cotton, cassava
Industries
oil, cotton textiles, brewing, natron (sodium carbonate), soap, cigarettes, construction materials
Exports
$2.464 billion (2017 est.)
$2.187 billion (2016 est.)
Exports - partners
China 32%, United Arab Emirates 21%, India 19%, United States 10%, France 6%, Germany 5% (2019)
Exports - commodities
crude petroleum, gold, sesame seeds, gum arabic, silver (2021)
Imports
$2.16 billion (2017 est.)
$1.997 billion (2016 est.)
Imports - partners
China 29%, United Arab Emirates 16%, France 10%, United States 8%, India 5% (2019)
Imports - commodities
delivery trucks, paints, packaged medicines, aircraft, broadcasting equipment (2019)
Exchange rates
Cooperation Financiere en Afrique Centrale francs (XAF) per US dollar -
Exchange rates:
623.76 (2022 est.)
554.531 (2021 est.)
575.586 (2020 est.)
585.911 (2019 est.)
555.446 (2018 est.)
Page last updated: Wednesday, April 24, 2024
