2010 Edition

Background

Chad, part of France's African holdings until 1960, endured three decades of civil warfare as well as invasions by Libya before a semblance of peace was finally 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 the rebels. In 2005, new rebel groups emerged in western Sudan and made probing attacks into eastern Chad despite signing peace agreements in December 2006 and October 2007. Power remains in the hands of an ethnic minority. 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 rebel threat in early 2008.

Area

land

1,259,200 sq km

total

1.284 million sq km

water

24,800 sq km

Area - comparative

slightly more than three times the size of California

Climate

tropical in south, desert in north

Coastline

0 km (landlocked)

Elevation extremes

highest point

Emi Koussi 3,415 m

lowest point

Djourab 160 m

Environment - current issues

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

Environment - international agreements

party to

Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping

Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural)

per capita

24 cu m/yr (2000)

total

0.23 cu km/yr (17%/0%/83%)

Geographic coordinates

15 00 N, 19 00 E

Geography - note

landlocked; Lake Chad is the most significant water body in the Sahel

Irrigated land

300 sq km (2003)

Land boundaries

border countries

Cameroon 1,094 km, Central African Republic 1,197 km, Libya 1,055 km, Niger 1,175 km, Nigeria 87 km, Sudan 1,360 km

total

5,968 km

Land use

arable land

2.8%

other

97.18% (2005)

permanent crops

0.02%

Location

Central Africa, south of Libya

Map references

Africa

Maritime claims

none (landlocked)

Natural hazards

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

Natural resources

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

Terrain

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

Total renewable water resources

43 cu km (1987)

Age structure

0-14 years: 46.7% (male 2,445,841/female 2,381,319) 15-64 years: 50.4% (male 2,386,428/female 2,816,050) 65 years and over: 2.9% (male 126,351/female 173,219) (2010 est.)

Birth rate

40.12 births/1,000 population (2010 est.)

Death rate

15.79 deaths/1,000 population (July 2010 est.)

Education expenditures

1.9% of GDP (2005)

Ethnic groups

Sara 27.7%, Arab 12.3%, Mayo-Kebbi 11.5%, Kanem-Bornou 9%, Ouaddai 8.7%, Hadjarai 6.7%, Tandjile 6.5%, Gorane 6.3%, Fitri-Batha 4.7%, other 6.4%, unknown 0.3% (1993 census)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

3.5% (2007 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths

14,000 (2007 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

200,000 (2007 est.)

Infant mortality rate

female

90.87 deaths/1,000 live births (2010 est.)

male

103 deaths/1,000 live births

total

97.05 deaths/1,000 live births

Languages

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

Life expectancy at birth

female

49.07 years (2010 est.)

male

46.95 years

total population

47.99 years

Literacy

definition: age 15 and over can read and write French or Arabic

female

12.8% (2000 est.)

male

40.8%

total population

25.7%

Major infectious diseases

animal contact disease

rabies (2009)

degree of risk

very high

food or waterborne diseases

bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever

respiratory disease

meningococcal meningitis

vectorborne disease

malaria

water contact disease

schistosomiasis

Median age

female

17.8 years (2010 est.)

male

15.5 years

total

16.6 years

Nationality

adjective

Chadian

noun

Chadian(s)

Net migration rate

-3.95 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2010 est.)

Population

10,543,464 (July 2010 est.)

Population growth rate

2.038% (2010 est.)

Religions

Muslim 53.1%, Catholic 20.1%, Protestant 14.2%, animist 7.3%, other 0.5%, unknown 1.7%, atheist 3.1% (1993 census)

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

female

4 years (2005)

male

8 years

total

6 years

Sex ratio

at birth

1.04 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.03 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.85 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.73 male(s)/female

total population

0.92 male(s)/female (2010 est.)

Total fertility rate

5.18 children born/woman (2010 est.)

Urbanization

rate of urbanization

4.7% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)

urban population

27% of total population (2008)

Administrative divisions

22 regions (regions, singular - region); Barh el Gazel, Batha, Borkou, Chari-Baguirmi, Ennedi, 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

Capital

geographic coordinates

12 06 N, 15 02 E

name

N'Djamena

time difference

UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)

Constitution

passed by referendum 31 March 1996; a June 2005 referendum removed constitutional term limits

Country name

conventional long form

Republic of Chad

conventional short form

Chad

local long form

Republique du Tchad/Jumhuriyat Tshad

local short form

Tchad/Tshad

Diplomatic representation from the US

chief of mission

Ambassador Louis NIGRO

embassy

Avenue Felix Eboue, N'Djamena

FAX

[235] 251-56-54

mailing address

B. P. 413, N'Djamena

telephone

[235] 251-62-11, 251-70-09, 251-77-59

Diplomatic representation in the US

chancery

2401 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008

chief of mission

Ambassador Mahamat Adam BECHIR

FAX

[1] (202) 265-1937

telephone

[1] (202) 462-4009

Executive branch

cabinet

Council of State; members are appointed by the president on the recommendation of the prime minister (For more information visit the World Leaders website )

chief of state

President Lt. Gen. Idriss DEBY Itno (since 4 December 1990)

election results

Lt. Gen. Idriss DEBY Itno reelected president; percent of vote - Lt. Gen. Idriss DEBY 64.7%, Delwa Kassire KOUMAKOYE 15.1%, Albert Pahimi PADACKE 7.8%, Mahamat ABDOULAYE 7.1%, Brahim KOULAMALLAH 5.3%; note - a June 2005 national referendum altered the constitution removing presidential term limits and permitting Lt. Gen. Idriss DEBY Itno to run for reelection

elections

president elected by popular vote for a five-year term; if no candidate receives at least 50% of the total vote, the two candidates receiving the most votes must stand for a second round of voting; last election held on 3 May 2006 (next to be held by May 2011); prime minister appointed by the president

head of government

Prime Minister Emmanuel NADINGAR (since 5 March 2010)

Flag description

three equal vertical bands of blue (hoist side), yellow, and red; the flag combines the blue and red French (former colonial) colors with the red and yellow of the Pan-African colors; blue symbolizes the sky, hope, and the south of the country, which is relatively well-watered; yellow represents the sun, as well as the desert in the north of the country; red stands for progress, unity, and sacrifice note: similar to the flag of Romania; also similar to the flags of Andorra and Moldova, both of which have a national coat of arms centered in the yellow band; design was based on the flag of France

Government type

republic

Independence

11 August 1960 (from France)

International organization participation

ACP, AfDB, AU, BDEAC, CEMAC, FAO, FZ, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Interpol, IOC, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, NAM, OIC, OIF, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNOCI, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO

Judicial branch

Supreme Court; Court of Appeal; Criminal Courts; Magistrate Courts

Legal system

based on French civil law system and Chadian customary law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Legislative branch

unicameral National Assembly (155 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms); note - the 1996 constitution called for a Senate that has never been formed

election results

percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - MPS 110, RDP 12, FAR 9, RNDP 5, UNDR 5, URD 3, other 11

elections

National Assembly - last held on 21 April 2002 (next to be held by February 2011); note - legislative elections, originally scheduled for 2006, were first delayed by National Assembly action and subsequently by an accord, signed in August 2007, between government and opposition parties

National anthem

lyrics/music

Louis GIDROL and his students/Paul VILLARD note: adopted 1960

name

"La Tchadienne" (The Chadian)

National holiday

Independence Day, 11 August (1960)

Political parties and leaders

Federation Action for the Republic or FAR [Ngarledjy YORONGAR]; National Rally for Development and Progress or RNDP [Delwa Kassire KOUMAKOYE]; National Union for Democracy and Renewal or UNDR [Saleh KEBZABO]; Party for Liberty and Development or PLD [Ibni Oumar Mahamat SALEH]; Patriotic Salvation Movement or MPS [Mahamat Saleh AHMAT, chairman]; Rally for Democracy and Progress or RDP [Lol Mahamat CHOUA]; Union for Renewal and Democracy or URD [Gen. Wadal Abdelkader KAMOUGUE]

Political pressure groups and leaders

rebel groups

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Agriculture - products

cotton, sorghum, millet, peanuts, rice, potatoes, manioc (tapioca); cattle, sheep, goats, camels

Central bank discount rate

4.25% (31 December 2009) 4.75% (31 December 2008)

Commercial bank prime lending rate

NA% (31 December 2009 est.) NA% (31 December 2008 est.)

Current account balance

-$2.6 billion (2010 est.) -$2.305 billion (2009 est.)

Debt - external

$NA (31 December 2010 est.) $1.749 billion (31 December 2008 est.)

Economy - overview

Chad's primarily agricultural economy will continue to be boosted by major foreign direct investment projects in the oil sector that began in 2000. At least 80% of Chad's population relies on subsistence farming and livestock raising for its livelihood. Chad's economy has long been handicapped by its landlocked position, high energy costs, and a history of instability. Chad relies on foreign assistance and foreign capital for most public and private sector investment projects. A consortium led by two US companies has been investing $3.7 billion to develop oil reserves - estimated at 1 billion barrels - in southern Chad. Chinese companies are also expanding exploration efforts and are currently building a 300-km pipleline and the country's first refinery. The nation's total oil reserves are estimated at 1.5 billion barrels. Oil production came on stream in late 2003. Chad began to export oil in 2004. Cotton, cattle, and gum arabic provide the bulk of Chad's non-oil export earnings.

Electricity - consumption

93 million kWh (2007 est.)

Electricity - exports

0 kWh (2008 est.)

Electricity - imports

0 kWh (2008 est.)

Electricity - production

100 million kWh (2007 est.)

Exchange rates

Cooperation Financiere en Afrique Centrale francs 506.04 (2010), 472.19 (2009), 447.81 (2008), 480.1 (2007), 522.59 (2006)

Exports

$3.036 billion (2010 est.) $2.709 billion (2009 est.)

Exports - commodities

oil, cattle, cotton, gum arabic

Exports - partners

US 90.06%, France 4.81%, China 1.6% (2009)

GDP - composition by sector

agriculture

50.5%

industry

7%

services

42.5% (2010 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$1,800 (2010 est.) $1,800 (2009 est.) $1,800 (2008 est.) note: data are in 2010 US dollars

GDP - real growth rate

2% (2010 est.) -1.6% (2009 est.) 10.7% (2008 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$7.592 billion (2010 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$18.56 billion (2010 est.) $18.2 billion (2009 est.) $18.49 billion (2008 est.) note: data are in 2010 US dollars

Household income or consumption by percentage share

lowest 10%: 2.6% highest 10%: 30.8% (2003)

Imports

$2.631 billion (2010 est.) $2.539 billion (2009 est.)

Imports - commodities

machinery and transportation equipment, industrial goods, foodstuffs, textiles

Imports - partners

France 17.74%, Cameroon 12.7%, China 11.23%, US 7.59%, Italy 6.54%, Ukraine 5.33%, Netherlands 4.37% (2009)

Industrial production growth rate

3% (2010 est.)

Industries

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

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

4% (2010 est.) 10% (2009 est.)

Investment (gross fixed)

14.8% of GDP (2010 est.)

Labor force

4.293 million (2007)

Labor force - by occupation

agriculture

80% (subsistence farming, herding, and fishing)

industry and services

20% (2006 est.)

Market value of publicly traded shares

$NA

Natural gas - consumption

0 cu m (2008 est.)

Natural gas - exports

0 cu m (2008 est.)

Natural gas - imports

0 cu m (2008 est.)

Natural gas - production

0 cu m (2008 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves

0 cu m (1 January 2010 est.)

Oil - consumption

1,000 bbl/day (2009 est.)

Oil - exports

157,900 bbl/day (2007 est.)

Oil - imports

1,571 bbl/day (2007 est.)

Oil - production

115,000 bbl/day (2009 est.)

Oil - proved reserves

1.5 billion bbl (1 January 2010 est.)

Population below poverty line

80% (2001 est.)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$868 million (31 December 2010 est.) $685 million (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of broad money

$1.257 billion (31 December 2010 est.) $1.008 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad

$NA

Stock of direct foreign investment - at home

$NA (31 December 2010) $4.5 billion (2006 est.)

Stock of domestic credit

$943.8 million (31 December 2010 est.) $566.9 million (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of narrow money

$920.9 million (31 December 2010 est) $937.8 million (31 December 2009 est)

Unemployment rate

NA% est.)

Broadcast media

1 state-owned TV broadcast station; state-owned radio network, Radiodiffusion Nationale Tchadienne (RNT), operates national and regional stations; about 10 private radio stations; some stations rebroadcast programs from international broadcasters (2007)

Internet country code

.td

Internet hosts

5 (2010)

Internet users

168,100 (2009)

Telephone system

domestic

fixed-line connections for only about 1 per 1000 persons coupled with mobile-cellular subscribership base of only about 25 per 100 persons

general assessment

inadequate system of radiotelephone communication stations with high costs and low telephone density

international

country code - 235; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) (2009)

Telephones - main lines in use

13,000 (2009)

Telephones - mobile cellular

2.686 million (2009)

Airports

56 (2010)

Airports - with paved runways

total

8 over 3,047 m: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 3 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 under 914 m: 1 (2010)

Airports - with unpaved runways

total

48 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 15 914 to 1,523 m: 21 under 914 m: 10 (2010)

Pipelines

oil 250 km (2009)

Roadways

paved

267 km

total

33,400 km

unpaved

33,133 km (2002)

Waterways

Chari and Legone rivers are navigable only in wet season (2010)

Manpower available for military service

males age 16-49: 2,025,929 females age 16-49: 2,377,898 (2010 est.)

Manpower fit for military service

males age 16-49: 1,141,776 females age 16-49: 1,354,111 (2010 est.)

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually

female

125,069 (2010 est.)

male

125,073

Military branches

Armed Forces

Chadian National Army (Armee Nationale du Tchad, ANT), Chadian Air Force (Force Aerienne Tchadienne, FAT), Gendarmerie (2008)

Military expenditures

1.7% of GDP (2009)

Military service age and obligation

20 years of age for conscripts, with 3-year service obligation; 18 years of age for volunteers; no minimum age restriction for volunteers with consent from a guardian; women are subject to 1 year of compulsory military or civic service at age of 21 (2004)

Disputes - international

since 2003, Janjawid armed militia and the Sudanese military have driven hundreds of thousands of Darfur residents into Chad; Chad remains an important mediator in the Sudanese civil conflict, reducing tensions with Sudan arising from cross-border banditry; Chadian Aozou rebels reside in southern Libya; 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

Refugees and internally displaced persons

IDPs

178,918 (2007)

refugees (country of origin)

234,000 (Sudan); 54,200 (Central African Republic)

Trafficking in persons

current situation

Chad is a source, transit, and destination country for children trafficked for the purposes of forced labor and commercial sexual exploitation; the majority of children are trafficked within Chad for involuntary domestic servitude, forced cattle herding, forced begging, forced labor in petty commerce or the fishing industry, or for commercial sexual exploitation; to a lesser extent, Chadian children are also trafficked to Cameroon, the Central African Republic, and Nigeria for cattle herding; children may also be trafficked from Cameroon and the Central African Republic to Chad's oil producing regions for sexual exploitation

tier rating

Tier 2 Watch List - the Government of Chad does not fully comply with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking and is not making any significant efforts to do so; although facing resource constraints, the government has the capacity to conduct basic anti-trafficking law enforcement efforts, yet did not do so during the last year; it showed no results in enforcing government policy prohibiting the recruitment of child soldiers; Chad has not ratified the 2000 UN TIP Protocol (2009) page last updated on January 12, 2011 ======================================================================