Chad

The population of Chad is approximately 22M (2024).

The capital of Chad is N'Djamena.

Chad's GDP per capita is $1K (2024).

Life expectancy in Chad is 55.24 years (2024).

Chad covers 1,284,000 km² (495,755 sq mi).

Chad is sparsely populated, averaging 17 people per km², below the global average of 60.

Chad's population is growing rapidly at 4.9% per year — among the fastest in the world.

Based on GDP per capita, Chad falls in the low GDP-per-person tier at $1K. Official World Bank income groups use Atlas-method GNI per capita, so this is a GDP-based comparison rather than an official income-group label.

Chad has 2 official languages: Arabic, French.

Chad uses the Central African CFA franc (Fr) as its sole official currency.

The best months to visit Chad are January, February, November, December, based on climate data for the capital.

Recent estimates indicate that Chad has a population of approximately 22.4 million people. The nation is currently experiencing one of the world's highest demographic expansions, with an annual population growth rate of 5.0%. This growth is concentrated primarily in rural areas, as only 26.9% of the population lives in urban centers.

According to current estimates, Chad's GDP per capita is approximately 1,044 USD. In terms of nominal wealth, the latest data shows that Chad's GDP per capita ranks global 198 of 212 and regional (Africa) 42 of 54. The economy remains heavily dependent on the export of crude oil and agricultural products.

The latest available data shows an adult literacy rate of 30.6% in Chad. This figure ranks the nation global 169 of 170, reflecting significant barriers to education access across the country. Government initiatives and international partnerships continue to work toward improving school enrollment and literacy programs for both youth and adults.

Life expectancy at birth in Chad is 55.2 years, which ranks the country global 214 of 215. This low ranking is largely due to limited healthcare infrastructure and high rates of infectious diseases. Improving maternal health and expanding access to clean drinking water remain top priorities for improving these health outcomes.

Internet users represent approximately 12.6% of the total population in Chad. This level of connectivity ranks the country global 205 of 212, indicating a significant digital divide compared to other nations in the region. Most internet access is concentrated in the capital, N'Djamena, and other larger urban centers.

The unemployment rate in Chad is 1.1%, according to the latest figures. This specific data point ranks the country global 181 of 186 — largest first, though it primarily reflects the high number of people engaged in informal work and subsistence agriculture rather than formal salaried employment.

The estimated 2026 population of Chad is 22,357,848 people. This figure is based on projections from the latest official 2024 data, which recorded a population of 20,299,123. The country is currently experiencing one of the fastest growth rates in the world, adding approximately 2,752 people to its total every day.

Chad currently ranks 64th in the world out of 215 countries for total population. Regionally, it is the 23rd most populous nation in Africa and 4th in Middle Africa. Its global position has been rising steadily due to an exceptionally high annual growth rate of 4.95%.

The population density of Chad is an estimated 17.7 people per km² (45.8 people per sq mi). This low average reflects the country's vast land area, much of which consists of the Sahara Desert. Most of the population is concentrated in the southern third of the country where water is more available.

Chad's population is growing at an annual rate of 4.95%, which is among the highest in the world. This rapid expansion is driven by a crude birth rate of 43.264 per 1,000 people. Each day, the country sees an estimated 2,406 births, leading to significant year-over-year demographic increases.

Chad has the highest fertility rate in the world, with current data showing 6.028 births per woman. This high fertility is a primary driver of the nation's rapid population growth and young demographic profile. This rate is nearly triple the global replacement level, ensuring continued population expansion for decades.

Approximately 26.9% of the Chadian population resides in urban areas. This makes Chad one of the least urbanized countries in the world, ranking 198th globally. The majority of the population continues to live in rural regions, engaged in subsistence farming, livestock herding, and traditional nomadic lifestyles.