Country Profile: Chad

Chad is a landlocked country located in Central Africa, bordered by Libya to the north. It has a diverse geography that includes arid plains and mountainous regions, with a population of approximately 19.7 million people. The country’s economy is primarily oil-dependent, but it faces challenges such as poverty, insecurity, and fluctuating oil prices. Governed as a presidential republic, Chad has experienced significant political changes in recent years, including a transition to military leadership following the death of President Idriss Déby in 2021.

Geography

Chad is the largest of Africa's landlocked countries, covering an area of 1.284 million sq km. The country's geography varies from tropical climate in the south to desert in the north, with the highest point being Emi Koussi at 3,445 m. The population is unevenly distributed, with higher densities in the southwest around Lake Chad and lower densities in the arid north.

6,406 km of land boundaries with six neighboring countries
40% of land used for agriculture (2023 est.)
Home to Lake Chad, a significant water body and remnant of an ancient inland sea
Prone to natural hazards like droughts and locust plagues

People and Society

The estimated population of Chad is 19,674,004 (2025 est.), with a median age of 16.9 years. Ethnically diverse, the largest groups include the Sara (30.5%) and Kanembu/Bornu/Buduma (9.8%). The country has a low literacy rate of 30.6% and predominantly practices Islam (52.1%) and Protestantism (23.9%).

44.8% of the population lives below the national poverty line (2022 est.)
38.62 births/1,000 population birth rate (2025 est.)
High dependency ratio at 92.1 (2025 est.)
Life expectancy at birth is 60 years (2024 est.)

Economy

Chad's economy relies heavily on oil, impacted by market fluctuations and regional instability. The real GDP, in purchasing power parity, is estimated to be $52.895 billion for 2024, with a growth rate of 3.7%. Despite economic challenges, there has been recent growth driven by oil and agricultural recovery.

1.1% unemployment rate (2024 est.)
32.2% of GDP comes from agriculture (2024 est.)
61.3% of household consumption accounts for GDP (2024 est.)
$5.799 billion in exports for 2024

Government

Chad operates as a presidential republic with a bicameral legislature. The most recent presidential election was held in May 2024, resulting in the election of Mahamat Idriss Déby. The government has transitioned to military leadership since the 2021 rebellion, and a new constitution was approved in December 2023.

Capital: N'Djamena
23 provinces administratively divided
Universal suffrage at 18 years of age
Legal system is a mixed system of civil and customary law

Military and Security

Chad maintains a robust military presence, with an estimated 35,000-40,000 active personnel. The military is primarily focused on internal security and counterinsurgency operations, particularly against groups like Boko Haram and ISIS-West Africa.

Military expenditures account for 3% of GDP (2024 est.)
Active in the Multinational Joint Task Force against Boko Haram
Compulsory military service for males aged 18-25

Energy

Chad's energy sector is characterized by low electrification rates, with only 11.7% of the population having access. The country mainly relies on fossil fuels for electricity generation, which constitutes 94.3% of its installed capacity.

167,000 kW of installed generating capacity (2023 est.)
124,000 bbl/day of petroleum production (2023 est.)
1.502 million Btu/person energy consumption per capita (2023 est.)

Environment

Chad faces significant environmental challenges, including inadequate potable water supplies and soil and water pollution. Deforestation, desertification, and climate change further exacerbate these issues.

45.7 billion cubic meters of renewable water resources (2022 est.)
2.054 million metric tonnes of CO2 emissions (2023 est.)
Party to various international environmental agreements, including the Climate Change-Paris Agreement

Transportation

Chad has a network of 44 airports as of 2025, facilitating domestic and international travel. The transportation infrastructure is essential for accessing remote areas, particularly given the country’s vast land area.

Communications

Chad's communication infrastructure is developing, with approximately 14.8 million mobile cellular subscriptions (2024 est.). Internet access remains limited, with only 13% of the population using the internet (2023 est.).

Key Metrics

Metric	Value	Note
Population	19,674,004 (2025 est.)
Area	1.284 million sq km
GDP (PPP)	$52.895 billion (2024 est.)
Unemployment Rate	1.1% (2024 est.)
Birth Rate	38.62 births/1,000 population (2025 est.)
Life Expectancy	60 years (2024 est.)
Energy Consumption per Capita	1.502 million Btu/person (2023 est.)
Military Expenditures	3% of GDP (2024 est.)
Electricity Access	11.7% (2022 est.)