Chad, part of France's African holdings until 1960, endured three decades of civil warfare, as well as invasions by Libya, before peace was restored in 1990. The government eventually drafted a democratic constitution and held flawed presidential elections in 1996 and 2001. In 1998, a rebellion broke out in northern Chad, which has sporadically flared up despite several peace agreements between the government and insurgents. In June 2005, President Idriss DEBY held a referendum successfully removing constitutional term limits and won another controversial election in 2006. Sporadic rebel campaigns continued throughout 2006 and 2007. The capital experienced a significant insurrection in early 2008, but has had no significant rebel threats since then, in part due to Chad's 2010 rapprochement with Sudan, which previously used Chadian rebels as proxies. In late 2015, the government imposed a state of emergency in the Lake Chad region following multiple attacks by the terrorist group Boko Haram throughout the year; Boko Haram also launched several bombings in N'Djamena in mid-2015. DEBY in 2016 was reelected to his fifth term in an election that was peaceful but flawed. In December 2015, Chad completed a two-year rotation on the UN Security Council. In January 2017, DEBY completed a one-year term as President of the African Union.

Central Africa, south of Libya

15 00 N, 19 00 E

Africa

almost nine times the size of New York state; slightly more than three times the size of California

0 km (landlocked)

none (landlocked)

tropical in south, desert in north

broad, arid plains in center, desert in north, mountains in northwest, lowlands in south

highest point: Emi Koussi 3,445 m

petroleum, uranium, natron, kaolin, fish (Lake Chad), gold, limestone, sand and gravel, salt

arable land 3.9%; permanent crops 0%; permanent pasture 35.7%

300 sq km (2012)

the population is unevenly distributed due to contrasts in climate and physical geography; the highest density is found in the southwest, particularly around Lake Chad and points south; the dry Saharan zone to the north is the least densely populated

hot, dry, dusty harmattan winds occur in north; periodic droughts; locust plagues

inadequate supplies of potable water; improper waste disposal in rural areas contributes to soil and water pollution; desertification

12,075,985 (July 2017 est.)

Sara (Ngambaye/Sara/Madjingaye/Mbaye) 29.9%, Kanembu/Bornu/Buduma 9.7%, Arab 9.6%, Wadai/Maba/Masalit/Mimi 7.5%, Gorane 5.8%, Masa/Musseye/Musgum 4.9%, Marba/Lele/Mesme 3.7%, Bulala/Medogo/Kuka 3.6%, Bidiyo/Migaama/Kenga/Dangleat 2.6%, Dadjo/Kibet/Muro 2.5%, Mundang 2.5%, Tupuri/Kera 2.1%, Gabri/Kabalaye/Nanchere/Somrai 2%, Fulani/Fulbe/Bodore 1.9%, Karo/Zime/Peve 1.3%, Zaghawa/Bideyat/Kobe 1.1%, Tama/Assongori/Mararit 1.1%, Baguirmi/Barma 1.1%, Mesmedje/Massalat/Kadjakse 0.8%, other Chadian ethnicities 3.2%, Chadians of foreign ethnicities 0.9%, foreign nationals 0.4%, unspecified 1.7% (2014-15 est.)

French (official), Arabic (official), Sara (in south), more than 120 different languages and dialects

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.)

Despite the start of oil production in 2003, 40% of Chad’s population lives below the poverty line. The population will continue to grow rapidly because of the country’s very high fertility rate and large youth cohort – more than 65% of the populace is under the age of 25 – although the mortality rate is high and life expectancy is low. Chad has the world’s third highest maternal mortality rate. Among the primary risk factors are poverty, anemia, rural habitation, high fertility, poor education, and a lack of access to family planning and obstetric care. Impoverished, uneducated adolescents living in rural areas are most affected. To improve women’s reproductive health and reduce fertility, Chad will need to increase women’s educational attainment, job participation, and knowledge of and access to family planning. Only about a quarter of women are literate, less than 5% use contraceptives, and more than 40% undergo genital cutting.

As of October 2017, more than 320,000 refugees from Sudan and more than 75,000 from the Central African Republic strain Chad’s limited resources and create tensions in host communities. Thousands of new refugees fled to Chad in 2013 to escape worsening violence in the Darfur region of Sudan. The large refugee populations are hesitant to return to their home countries because of continued instability. Chad was relatively stable in 2012 in comparison to other states in the region, but past fighting between government forces and opposition groups and inter-communal violence have left nearly 60,000 of its citizens displaced in the eastern part of the country.

1.86% (2017 est.)

35.6 births/1,000 population (2017 est.)

13.8 deaths/1,000 population (2017 est.)

-3.2 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2017 est.)

the population is unevenly distributed due to contrasts in climate and physical geography; the highest density is found in the southwest, particularly around Lake Chad and points south; the dry Saharan zone to the north is the least densely populated

N'DJAMENA (capital) 1.26 million (2015)

17.9 years

856 deaths/100,000 live births (2015 est.)

4.34 children born/woman (2017 est.)

5.7% (2014/15)

3.6% of GDP (2014)

0.04 physicians/1,000 population (2013)

urban: 71.8% of population

rural: 44.8% of population

total: 50.8% of population

urban: 28.2% of population

rural: 55.2% of population

total: 49.2% of population (2015 est.)

urban: 31.4% of population

rural: 6.5% of population

total: 12.1% of population

urban: 68.6% of population

rural: 93.5% of population

total: 87.9% of population (2015 est.)

1.3% (2016 est.)

110,000 (2016 est.)

2,800 (2016 est.)

6.1% (2016)

28.8% (2015)

2.9% of GDP (2013)

presidential republic

23 regions (regions, singular - region); Barh el Gazel, Batha, Borkou, Chari-Baguirmi, Ennedi-Est, Ennedi-Ouest, Guera, Hadjer-Lamis, Kanem, Lac, Logone Occidental, Logone Oriental, Mandoul, Mayo-Kebbi Est, Mayo-Kebbi Ouest, Moyen-Chari, Ouaddai, Salamat, Sila, Tandjile, Tibesti, Ville de N'Djamena, Wadi Fira

11 August 1960 (from France)

Independence Day, 11 August (1960)

mixed legal system of civil and customary law

has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction

18 years of age; universal

Chadian Convention for Peace and Development or CTPD [Laoukein Kourayo MEDAR]

Federation Action for the Republic or FAR [Ngarledjy YORONGAR]

Framework of Popular Action for Solidarity and Unity of the Republic or CAP-SUR [Joseph Djimrangar DADNADJI]

National Rally for Development and Progress or Viva-RNDP [Dr. Nouradine Delwa Kassire COUMAKOYE]

National Union for Democracy and Renewal or UNDR [Saleh KEBZABO]

Party for Liberty and Development or PLD [Mahamat Allahou TAHER]

Party for Unity and Reconciliation

Patriotic Salvation Movement or MPS [Idriss DEBY]

Rally for Democracy and Progress or RDP [Mahamat Allahou TAHER]

RNDT/Le Reveil

Social Democratic Party for a Change-over of Power or PDSA

Union for Renewal and Democracy or URD [Sande NGARYIMBE]

NA

ACP, AfDB, AU, BDEAC, CEMAC, EITI (compliant country), FAO, FZ, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, MINUSMA, NAM, OIC, OIF, OPCW, UN, UN Security Council (temporary), UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNOCI, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO

three equal vertical bands of blue (hoist side), gold, and red; the flag combines the blue and red French (former colonial) colors with the red and yellow (gold) of the Pan-African colors; blue symbolizes the sky, hope, and the south of the country, which is relatively well-watered; gold represents the sun, as well as the desert in the north of the country; red stands for progress, unity, and sacrifice

goat (north), lion (south); national colors: blue, yellow, red

Chad’s landlocked location results in high transportation costs for imported goods and dependence on neighboring countries. Oil and agriculture are mainstays of Chad’s economy. Oil provides about 60% of export revenues, while cotton, cattle, livestock, and gum arabic provide the bulk of Chad's non-oil export earnings. The services sector contributes about one-third of GDP and has attracted foreign investment mostly through telecommunications and banking.

Nearly all of Chad’s fuel is provided by one domestic refinery, and unanticipated shutdowns occasionally result in shortages. The country regulates the price of domestic fuel, providing an incentive for black market sales.

Although high oil prices and strong local harvests supported the economy in the past, low oil prices now stress Chad’s fiscal position. Chad relies on foreign assistance and foreign capital for most of its public and private sector investment. Investment in Chad is difficult due to its limited infrastructure, lack of trained workers, extensive government bureaucracy, and corruption. Chad obtained a three-year extended credit facility from the IMF in 2014 and was granted debt relief under the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries Initiative in April 2015.

In 2017, economic policy will be driven by efforts that started in 2016 to reverse the recession and to repair damage to public finances and exports. The government is implementing an emergency action plan to counterbalance the drop in oil revenue and to diversify the economy. Multinational partners, such as the African Development Bank, the EU, and the World Bank are likely to continue budget support in 2017, but Chad will remain at high debt risk, given its dependence on oil revenue and pressure to spend on subsidies and security.

$28.96 billion (2016 est.)

$30.56 billion (2015 est.)

$29.71 billion (2014 est.)

$10.1 billion (2016 est.)

-6.4% (2016 est.)

1.8% (2015 est.)

6.9% (2014 est.)

$2,400 (2016 est.)

$2,700 (2015 est.)

$2,700 (2014 est.)

7.5% of GDP (2016 est.)

14.6% of GDP (2015 est.)

21.5% of GDP (2014 est.)

cotton, sorghum, millet, peanuts, sesame, corn, rice, potatoes, onions, cassava (manioc, tapioca), cattle, sheep, goats, camels

oil, cotton textiles, brewing, natron (sodium carbonate), soap, cigarettes, construction materials

-5% (2016 est.)

5.443 million (2016 est.)

NA%

46.7% (2011 est.)

43.3 (2011 est.)

10.4% of GDP (2016 est.)

-4.6% of GDP (2016 est.)

59% of GDP (2016 est.)

49.8% of GDP (2015 est.)

calendar year

-1.1% (2016 est.)

3.7% (2015 est.)

4.25% (31 December 2009)

4.75% (31 December 2008)

15.5% (31 December 2016 est.)

15.5% (31 December 2015 est.)

$1.241 billion (31 December 2016 est.)

$1.457 billion (31 December 2015 est.)

$1.418 billion (31 December 2016 est.)

$1.608 billion (31 December 2015 est.)

$2.387 billion (31 December 2016 est.)

$1.898 billion (31 December 2015 est.)

$NA

$-927 million (2016 est.)

$-1.346 billion (2015 est.)

$2.187 billion (2016 est.)

$2.629 billion (2015 est.)

oil, livestock, cotton, sesame, gum arabic, shea butter

US 57%, India 8.9%, China 6.7%, France 6.4%, UAE 4.3%, Japan 4.1% (2016)

$1.988 billion (2016 est.)

$2.572 billion (2015 est.)

machinery and transportation equipment, industrial goods, foodstuffs, textiles

France 19.8%, China 15.7%, Cameroon 15.1%, India 6.1%, US 5.4%, Belgium 4.4% (2016)

$20.92 million (31 December 2016 est.)

$380.7 million (31 December 2015 est.)

$1.281 billion (31 December 2016 est.)

$1.617 billion (31 December 2015 est.)

$4.5 billion (2006 est.)

$NA

Cooperation Financiere en Afrique Centrale francs (XAF) per US dollar -

593.01 (2016 est.)

593.01 (2015 est.)

591.45 (2014 est.)

494.42 (2013 est.)

510.53 (2012 est.)

215 million kWh (2015 est.)

200 million kWh (2015 est.)

0 kWh (2016 est.)

0 kWh (2016 est.)

47,000 kW (2015 est.)

100% of total installed capacity (2015 est.)

0% of total installed capacity (2015 est.)

0% of total installed capacity (2015 est.)

0% of total installed capacity (2015 est.)

110,200 bbl/day (2016 est.)

105,000 bbl/day (2014 est.)

0 bbl/day (2014 est.)

1.5 billion bbl (1 January 2017 es)

0 bbl/day (2014 est.)

2,200 bbl/day (2015 est.)

0 bbl/day (2014 est.)

2,215 bbl/day (2014 est.)

0 cu m (2013 est.)

0 cu m (2013 est.)

0 cu m (2013 est.)

0 cu m (2013 est.)

0 cu m (1 January 2014 es)

300,000 Mt (2013 est.)

1 state-owned TV station; 2 privately-owned TV stations; state-owned radio network, Radiodiffusion Nationale Tchadienne (RNT), operates national and regional stations; over 10 private radio stations; some stations rebroadcast programs from international broadcasters (2017)

.td

59 (2013)

oil 582 km (2013)

(Chari and Legone Rivers are navigable only in wet season) (2012)

2.79% of GDP (2016)

2.03% of GDP (2015)

2.82% of GDP (2014)

5.61% of GDP (2013)

Chadian National Army (Armee Nationale du Tchad, ANT): Ground Forces (l'Armee de Terre, AdT), Chadian Air Force (l'Armee de l'Air Tchadienne, AAT), National Gendarmerie, National and Nomadic Guard of Chad (GNNT) (2013)

20 is the legal minimum age for compulsory military service, with a 3-year service obligation; 18 is the legal minimum age for voluntary service; no minimum age restriction for volunteers with consent from a parent or guardian; women are subject to 1 year of compulsory military or civic service at age 21; while provisions for military service have not been repealed, they have never been fully implemented (2015)

since 2003, ad hoc armed militia groups and the Sudanese military have driven hundreds of thousands of Darfur residents into Chad; Chad wishes to be a helpful mediator in resolving the Darfur conflict, and in 2010 established a joint border monitoring force with Sudan, which has helped to reduce cross-border banditry and violence; only Nigeria and Cameroon have heeded the Lake Chad Commission's admonition to ratify the delimitation treaty, which also includes the Chad-Niger and Niger-Nigeria boundaries