Chad: Population, Economy & Travel Facts

Essential data for planning your trip to Chad — from population and demographics to economic indicators, healthcare infrastructure, tourism trends, and digital connectivity.

Population & Geography

Population
15,477,751
#73 of 197 countries
Area
1 km²
#248 of 248 countries
Density
15477751.0 / km²
#1 of 245 countries

Chad has a population of 15,477,751 spread across 1 km², giving it an average density of 15477751.0 people per km². This is a densely populated country where urban areas dominate the landscape.

Demographics

Median Age
16.9
Life Expectancy
60.0 yrs
Literacy Rate
30.6%
Government
presidential republic
Ethnic Groups
Religions
GDP by Sector

Population Trends

How a country's age structure is shifting tells you a lot about what to expect on the ground. A growing elderly population often means better healthcare and higher costs, while a young population signals energy and growth but potentially less developed infrastructure.

Age Structure Over Time
Population Growth Rate (%)
Urban vs Rural (%)
Birth & Death Rates (per 1,000)

Economy & Cost of Living

Understanding the local economy helps travellers budget effectively and set expectations. Chad is classified as a low income country by the World Bank. Prices are roughly 35% of US levels, meaning your money goes significantly further here — accommodation, food, and transport are very affordable by Western standards.

Income Level
Low income
GDP per Capita
$949
Cost of Living
35% of US
Inflation
10.8%
Inequality
37.4
Moderate
GDP per Capita (USD)
GDP Growth (%)
Inflation Rate (%)
Employment
GDP/Capita (PPP)
$2,600
Unemployment
1.1%

Tourism

Tourism data reveals how popular a destination is and how much infrastructure exists to support visitors.

Outbound Tourists
5,500
Air Passengers
28,332
International Tourist Arrivals
Tourism Receipts (USD)
Air Passengers Carried
Tourism as % of Exports

Health & Safety Infrastructure

Healthcare quality matters when you're far from home. These indicators help gauge what level of medical care is available — Chad has 0.09 physicians per 1,000 people, which is well below the global average of 1.7. Travel insurance with medical evacuation coverage is strongly recommended.

Physicians
0.09/1k
Hospital Beds
0.15/1k
Health Spend
$47/person
Infant Mortality
58.7/1k
Immunization
66%
Safe Drinking Water
52.2%
Bottled water recommended
Basic Sanitation
13.1%
Health Expenditure per Capita (USD)
Hospital Beds per 1,000

Connectivity & Digital Infrastructure

Staying connected while travelling is essential for navigation, communication, and remote work. In Chad, 13% of the population uses the internet — connectivity can be limited outside major cities, so download offline maps and content before heading to rural areas. There are 70 mobile subscriptions per 100 people.

Internet Users
13.2%
Mobile Subs
70/100
Electricity Access
12.0%
Internet Users (%)
Urbanization (%)

Source: World Bank Open Data