2011 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

1.284 million sq km 1,259,200 sq km 24,800 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

Djourab 160 m Emi Koussi 3,415 m

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

Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping

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)

0.23 cu km/yr (17%/0%/83%) 24 cu m/yr (2000)

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 (2008)

Land boundaries

5,968 km 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

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

2.8% 0.02% 97.18% (2005)

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

46% (male 2,510,656/female 2,441,780) 51% (male 2,531,896/female 2,960,406) 2.9% (male 131,805/female 182,402) (2011 est.)

0-14 years

46% (male 2,510,656/female 2,441,780)

15-64 years

51% (male 2,531,896/female 2,960,406)

65 years and over

2.9% (male 131,805/female 182,402) (2011 est.)

Birth rate

39.4 births/1,000 population (2011 est.)

Children under the age of 5 years underweight

33.9% (2004)

Death rate

15.47 deaths/1,000 population (July 2011 est.)

Drinking water source

urban: 67% of population rural: 44% of population total: 50% of population urban: 33% of population rural: 56% of population total: 50% of population (2008)

rural

56% of population

total

50% of population (2008)

urban

33% of population

Education expenditures

3.2% of GDP (2009)

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)

Health expenditures

7% of GDP (2009)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

3.4% (2009 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths

11,000 (2009 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

210,000 (2009 est.)

Hospital bed density

0.43 beds/1,000 population (2005)

Infant mortality rate

95.31 deaths/1,000 live births 101.18 deaths/1,000 live births 89.22 deaths/1,000 live births (2011 est.)

female

89.22 deaths/1,000 live births (2011 est.)

total

95.31 deaths/1,000 live births

Languages

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

Life expectancy at birth

48.33 years 47.28 years 49.43 years (2011 est.)

female

49.43 years (2011 est.)

total population

48.33 years

Literacy

age 15 and over can read and write French or Arabic 25.7% 40.8% 12.8% (2000 est.)

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 cities - population

N'DJAMENA (capital) 808,000 (2009)

Major infectious diseases

very high bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever malaria schistosomiasis meningococcal meningitis rabies (2009)

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

Maternal mortality rate

1,200 deaths/100,000 live births (2008)

Median age

16.8 years 15.6 years 17.9 years (2011 est.)

female

17.9 years (2011 est.)

male

15.6 years

total

16.8 years

Nationality

Chadian(s) Chadian

adjective

Chadian

noun

Chadian(s)

Net migration rate

-3.84 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2011 est.)

Physicians density

0.04 physicians/1,000 population (2004)

Population

10,758,945 (July 2011 est.)

Population growth rate

2.009% (2011 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)

Sanitation facility access

urban: 23% of population rural: 4% of population total: 9% of population urban: 77% of population rural: 96% of population total: 91% of population (2008)

rural

96% of population

total

91% of population (2008)

urban

77% of population

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

7 years 9 years 5 years (2009)

female

5 years (2009)

male

9 years

total

7 years

Sex ratio

1.04 male(s)/female 1.03 male(s)/female 0.85 male(s)/female 0.73 male(s)/female 0.92 male(s)/female (2011 est.)

15-64 years

0.85 male(s)/female

65 years and over

0.73 male(s)/female

at birth

1.04 male(s)/female

total population

0.92 male(s)/female (2011 est.)

under 15 years

1.03 male(s)/female

Total fertility rate

5.05 children born/woman (2011 est.)

Urbanization

28% of total population (2010) 4.6% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

rate of urbanization

4.6% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

urban population

28% of total population (2010)

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

N'Djamena 12 06 N, 15 02 E UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)

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

Republic of Chad Chad Republique du Tchad/Jumhuriyat Tshad Tchad/Tshad

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

Ambassador Mark M. BOULWARE Avenue Felix Eboue, N'Djamena B. P. 413, N'Djamena [235] 251-62-11, 251-70-09, 251-77-59 [235] 251-56-54

chief of mission

Ambassador Mark M. BOULWARE

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

Ambassador Mahamoud Adam BECHIR 2401 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 [1] (202) 462-4009 [1] (202) 265-1937

chancery

2401 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008

chief of mission

Ambassador Mahamoud Adam BECHIR

FAX

[1] (202) 265-1937

telephone

[1] (202) 462-4009

Executive branch

President Lt. Gen. Idriss DEBY Itno (since 4 December 1990) Prime Minister Emmanuel NADINGAR (since 5 March 2010) Council of State; members are appointed by the president on the recommendation of the prime minister 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 25 April 2011 (next to be held by 2016); prime minister appointed by the president Lt. Gen. Idriss DEBY Itno reelected president; percent of vote - Lt. Gen. Idriss DEBY 83.6%, Albert Pahimi PADACKE 8.6%, Nadji Madou 7.8%

cabinet

Council of State; members are appointed by the president on the recommendation of the prime minister

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 83.6%, Albert Pahimi PADACKE 8.6%, Nadji Madou 7.8%

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 25 April 2011 (next to be held by 2016); 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 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 law organization participation

has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction

International organization participation

ACP, AfDB, AU, BDEAC, CEMAC, FAO, FZ, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, 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; Constitutional Council; High Court of Justice; Court of Appeal; Criminal Courts; Magistrate Courts

Legal system

mixed legal system of civil and customary law

Legislative branch

unicameral National Assembly (188 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) National Assembly - last held on 13 February 2011 (next to be held by 2015); 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 percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - ART 133, UNDR 11, others 44

election results

percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - ART 133, UNDR 11, others 44

elections

National Assembly - last held on 13 February 2011 (next to be held by 2015); 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

"La Tchadienne" (The Chadian) Louis GIDROL and his students/Paul VILLARD adopted 1960

lyrics/music

Louis GIDROL and his students/Paul VILLARD

name

"La Tchadienne" (The Chadian)

National holiday

Independence Day, 11 August (1960)

National symbol(s)

goat (north); lion (south)

Political parties and leaders

Alliance for the Renaissance of Chad or ART, an alliance among the ruling MPS, RDP, and Viva-RNDP; Federation Action for the Republic or FAR [Ngarledjy YORONGAR]; National Rally for Development and Progress or Viva-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

Budget

$2.019 billion $2.928 billion (2010 est.)

expenditures

$2.928 billion (2010 est.)

revenues

$2.019 billion

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

-11.6% of GDP (2010 est.)

Central bank discount rate

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

Commercial bank prime lending rate

14% (31 December 2010 est.) 15% (31 December 2009 est.)

Current account balance

-$2.512 billion (2010 est.) -$2.305 billion (2009 est.)

Debt - external

$1.743 billion (31 December 2009 est.) $1.743 billion (31 December 2009 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 pipeline 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 (2008 est.)

Electricity - exports

0 kWh (2009 est.)

Electricity - imports

0 kWh (2009 est.)

Electricity - production

100 million kWh (2008 est.)

Exchange rates

Cooperation Financiere en Afrique Centrale francs (XAF) per US dollar - 495.28 (2010) 472.19 (2009) 447.81 (2008) 480.1 (2007) 522.59 (2006)

Exports

$3.16 billion (2010 est.) $2.709 billion (2009 est.)

Exports - commodities

oil, cattle, cotton, gum arabic

Exports - partners

US 71.9%, China 16.9%, Netherlands 4.6% (2010)

GDP - composition by sector

52% 7% 41.1% (2010 est.)

agriculture

52%

industry

7%

services

41.1% (2010 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$1,600 (2010 est.) $1,600 (2009 est.) $1,600 (2008 est.) data are in 2010 US dollars

GDP - real growth rate

5.1% (2010 est.) 0.3% (2009 est.) -0.4% (2008 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$7.848 billion (2010 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$17.36 billion (2010 est.) $16.52 billion (2009 est.) $16.48 billion (2008 est.) data are in 2010 US dollars

Household income or consumption by percentage share

2.6% 30.8% (2003)

highest 10%

30.8% (2003)

lowest 10%

2.6%

Imports

$2.94 billion (2010 est.) $2.539 billion (2009 est.)

Imports - commodities

machinery and transportation equipment, industrial goods, foodstuffs, textiles

Imports - partners

China 29.4%, France 14.3%, Cameroon 12.2%, US 8.1% (2010)

Industrial production growth rate

3% (2010 est.)

Industries

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

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

-2% (2010 est.) 10% (2009 est.)

Investment (gross fixed)

33.5% of GDP (2010 est.)

Labor force

4.293 million (2007)

Labor force - by occupation

80% (subsistence farming, herding, and fishing) 20% (2006 est.)

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 (2009 est.)

Natural gas - exports

0 cu m (2009 est.)

Natural gas - imports

0 cu m (2009 est.)

Natural gas - production

0 cu m (2009 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves

0 cu m (1 January 2011 est.)

Oil - consumption

2,000 bbl/day (2010 est.)

Oil - exports

115,000 bbl/day (2009 est.)

Oil - imports

1,837 bbl/day (2009 est.)

Oil - production

126,200 bbl/day (2010 est.)

Oil - proved reserves

1.5 billion bbl (1 January 2011 est.)

Population below poverty line

80% (2001 est.)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$638.6 million (31 December 2010 est.) $616.7 million (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of broad money

$1.222 billion (31 December 2010 est.) $1.045 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

$710.9 million (31 December 2010 est.) $587.8 million (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of narrow money

$1.15 billion (31 December 2010 est.) $972.5 million (31 December 2009 est.)

Taxes and other revenues

25.7% of GDP (2010 est.)

Unemployment rate

NA%

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

inadequate system of radiotelephone communication stations with high costs and low telephone density fixed-line connections for only about 1 per 1000 persons coupled with mobile-cellular subscribership base of only about 25 per 100 persons country code - 235; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) (2009)

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

51,200 (2010)

Telephones - mobile cellular

2.614 million (2010)

Airports

56 (2010)

Airports - with paved runways

1 (2010)

1,524 to 2,437 m

2

2,438 to 3,047 m

3

over 3,047 m

2

total

8

under 914 m

1 (2010)

Airports - with unpaved runways

10 (2010)

1,524 to 2,437 m

15

2,438 to 3,047 m

2

914 to 1,523 m

21

total

48

under 914 m

10 (2010)

Pipelines

oil 265 km (2010)

Roadways

40,000 km (2006)

total

40,000 km (2006)

Waterways

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

Manpower available for military service

2,090,244 2,441,321 (2010 est.)

females age 16-49

2,441,321 (2010 est.)

males age 16-49

2,090,244

Manpower fit for military service

1,183,242 1,395,811 (2010 est.)

females age 16-49

1,395,811 (2010 est.)

males age 16-49

1,183,242

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually

128,723 128,244 (2010 est.)

female

128,244 (2010 est.)

male

128,723

Military branches

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

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 parent or 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

234,000 (Sudan); 54,200 (Central African Republic) 178,918 (2007)

IDPs

178,918 (2007)

refugees (country of origin)

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

Trafficking in persons

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, involuntary agricultural labor, 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 Tier 2 Watch List - the Government of Chad does not fully comply with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking; however, it is making significant efforts to do so; the Government of Chad reportedly ended all child conscription into its national army and continued to engage in efforts to demobilize remaining child soldiers from rebel forces; fewer efforts were made to address the forced labor of children in cattle herding, domestic service, and begging, or to combat the commercial sexual exploitation of Chadian children; the government did not enact legislation prohibiting trafficking in persons and undertook limited anti-trafficking law enforcement and victim protection activities (2011)

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, involuntary agricultural labor, 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

tier rating

Tier 2 Watch List - the Government of Chad does not fully comply with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking; however, it is making significant efforts to do so; the Government of Chad reportedly ended all child conscription into its national army and continued to engage in efforts to demobilize remaining child soldiers from rebel forces; fewer efforts were made to address the forced labor of children in cattle herding, domestic service, and begging, or to combat the commercial sexual exploitation of Chadian children; the government did not enact legislation prohibiting trafficking in persons and undertook limited anti-trafficking law enforcement and victim protection activities (2011)