2013 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 insurgents. 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. 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. DEBY in 2011 was reelected to his fourth term in an election that international observers described as proceeding without incident. Power remains in the hands of an ethnic minority.

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)

0.88 cu km/yr (12%/12%/76%) 84.81 cu m/yr (2005)

per capita

84.81 cu m/yr (2005)

total

0.88 cu km/yr (12%/12%/76%)

Geographic coordinates

15 00 N, 19 00 E

Geography - note

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

Irrigated land

302.7 sq km (2003)

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

3.82% 0.02% 96.16% (2011)

arable land

3.82%

other

96.16% (2011)

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 (2011)

Age structure

45.2% (male 2,565,613/female 2,494,020) 20.4% (male 1,107,121/female 1,178,946) 27.6% (male 1,393,498/female 1,693,233) 3.9% (male 188,558/female 242,559) 2.9% (male 137,590/female 192,314) (2013 est.)

0-14 years

45.2% (male 2,565,613/female 2,494,020)

15-24 years

20.4% (male 1,107,121/female 1,178,946)

25-54 years

27.6% (male 1,393,498/female 1,693,233)

55-64 years

3.9% (male 188,558/female 242,559)

65 years and over

2.9% (male 137,590/female 192,314) (2013 est.)

Birth rate

37.99 births/1,000 population (2013 est.)

Child labor - children ages 5-14

1,475,960 48 % (2010 est.)

percentage

48 % (2010 est.)

total number

1,475,960

Children under the age of 5 years underweight

33.9% (2004)

Contraceptive prevalence rate

4.8% (2010)

Death rate

14.85 deaths/1,000 population (2013 est.)

Dependency ratios

103.3 % 98.4 % 4.9 % 20.4 (2013)

elderly dependency ratio

4.9 %

potential support ratio

20.4 (2013)

total dependency ratio

103.3 %

youth dependency ratio

98.4 %

Drinking water source

urban: 70% of population rural: 44% of population total: 51% of population urban: 30% of population rural: 56% of population total: 49% of population (2010 est.)

rural

56% of population

total

49% of population (2010 est.)

urban

30% of population

Education expenditures

2.9% of GDP (2011)

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

4.3% of GDP (2011)

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

91.94 deaths/1,000 live births 97.64 deaths/1,000 live births 86.01 deaths/1,000 live births (2013 est.)

female

86.01 deaths/1,000 live births (2013 est.)

total

91.94 deaths/1,000 live births

Languages

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

Life expectancy at birth

49.07 years 47.95 years 50.22 years (2013 est.)

female

50.22 years (2013 est.)

total population

49.07 years

Literacy

age 15 and over can read and write French or Arabic 35.4% 45.6% 25.4% (2011 est.)

definition

age 15 and over can read and write French or Arabic

female

25.4% (2011 est.)

male

45.6%

total population

35.4%

Major infectious diseases

very high bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A and E, and typhoid fever malaria and dengue fever schistosomiasis meningococcal meningitis rabies (2013)

animal contact disease

rabies (2013)

degree of risk

very high

food or waterborne diseases

bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A and E, and typhoid fever

respiratory disease

meningococcal meningitis

vectorborne diseases

malaria and dengue fever

water contact disease

schistosomiasis

Major urban areas - population

N'DJAMENA (capital) 1.079 million (2011)

Maternal mortality rate

1,100 deaths/100,000 live births (2010)

Median age

17 years 15.9 years 18.1 years (2013 est.)

female

18.1 years (2013 est.)

male

15.9 years

total

17 years

Mother's mean age at first birth

18.2 (2004 est.)

Nationality

Chadian(s) Chadian

adjective

Chadian

noun

Chadian(s)

Net migration rate

-3.64 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2013 est.)

Obesity - adult prevalence rate

2.7% (2008)

Physicians density

0.04 physicians/1,000 population (2006)

Population

11,193,452 (July 2013 est.)

Population growth rate

1.95% (2013 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: 30% of population rural: 6% of population total: 13% of population urban: 70% of population rural: 94% of population total: 87% of population (2010 est.)

rural

94% of population

total

87% of population (2010 est.)

urban

70% of population

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

8 years 10 years 6 years (2011)

female

6 years (2011)

male

10 years

total

8 years

Sex ratio

1.04 male(s)/female 1.03 male(s)/female 0.93 male(s)/female 0.82 male(s)/female 0.78 male(s)/female 0.72 male(s)/female 0.93 male(s)/female (2013 est.)

0-14 years

1.03 male(s)/female

15-24 years

0.93 male(s)/female

25-54 years

0.82 male(s)/female

55-64 years

0.78 male(s)/female

65 years and over

0.72 male(s)/female

at birth

1.04 male(s)/female

total population

0.93 male(s)/female (2013 est.)

Total fertility rate

4.8 children born/woman (2013 est.)

Urbanization

21.8% of total population (2011) 3% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

rate of urbanization

3% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

urban population

21.8% of total population (2011)

Administrative divisions

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

several previous; latest passed by referendum 31 March 1996, entered into force 8 April 1996; amended 2005 (2010)

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 James KNIGHT (since 13 March 2013) Avenue Felix Eboue, N'Djamena B. P. 413, N'Djamena [235] 2251-70-09 [235] 2251-56-54

chief of mission

Ambassador James KNIGHT (since 13 March 2013)

embassy

Avenue Felix Eboue, N'Djamena

FAX

[235] 2251-56-54

mailing address

B. P. 413, N'Djamena

telephone

[235] 2251-70-09

Diplomatic representation in the US

Ambassador Maitine DJOUMBE (since 12 July 2012) 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 Maitine DJOUMBE (since 12 July 2012)

FAX

[1] (202) 265-1937

telephone

[1] (202) 462-4009

Executive branch

President Lt. Gen. Idriss DEBY Itno (since 4 December 1990) Prime Minister Kalzeube Pahimi DEUBET (since 21 November 2013) 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 Kalzeube Pahimi DEUBET (since 21 November 2013)

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, EITI (candidate country), FAO, FZ, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, NAM, OIC, OIF, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNOCI, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO

Judicial branch

Supreme Court (consists of a chief justice and 15 judges or councilors and divided into 3 chambers); Constitutional Council (consists of 3 judges and 6 jurists) Supreme Court chief justice selected by the president; councilors - 8 designated by the president and 7 by the speaker of the National Assembly; chief justice and councilors appointed for life; Constitutional Council judges - 2 appointed by the president and 1 by the speaker of the National Assembly; jurists - 3 each by the president and by the speaker of the National Assembly; judges term NA High Court of Justice; Courts of Appeal; tribunals; justices of the peace

highest court(s)

Supreme Court (consists of a chief justice and 15 judges or councilors and divided into 3 chambers); Constitutional Council (consists of 3 judges and 6 jurists)

judge selection and term of office

Supreme Court chief justice selected by the president; councilors - 8 designated by the president and 7 by the speaker of the National Assembly; chief justice and councilors appointed for life; Constitutional Council judges - 2 appointed by the president and 1 by the speaker of the National Assembly; jurists - 3 each by the president and by the speaker of the National Assembly; judges term NA

subordinate courts

High Court of Justice; Courts of Appeal; tribunals; justices of the peace

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

$2.748 billion $2.979 billion (2012 est.)

expenditures

$2.979 billion (2012 est.)

revenues

$2.748 billion

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

-1.8% of GDP (2012 est.)

Central bank discount rate

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

Commercial bank prime lending rate

15.5% (31 December 2012 est.) 15% (31 December 2011 est.)

Current account balance

$-378.9 million (2012 est.) $-96.5 million (2011 est.)

Debt - external

$1.794 billion (31 December 2012 est.) $1.821 billion (31 December 2011 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. Economic conditions have been positive in recent years, with real GDP growth reaching 13% in 2010 because of high international prices for oil and a strong local harvest. GDP growth for 2012 was 5%. However, Chad's investment climate remains challenging due to limited infrastructure, a lack of trained workers, extensive government bureaucracy, and corruption. At least 80% of Chad's population relies on subsistence farming and livestock raising for its livelihood. The government of Chad is determined to improve agricultural production through modernization and mechanization over the next three years, and hosted a national Rural Development Forum in 2012 to promote investment in agriculture. 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. Remittances are also an important source of income. The Libyan conflict disrupted inflows of remittances to Chad's impoverished western region that relies on income from Chadians living in Libya. A consortium led by two US companies has been investing $3.7 billion to develop oil reserves - estimated at 1.5 billion barrels - in southern Chad. Chinese companies are also expanding exploration efforts and have completed a 311-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.

Exchange rates

Cooperation Financiere en Afrique Centrale francs (XAF) per US dollar - 510.53 (2012 est.) 471.87 (2011 est.) 495.28 (2010 est.) 472.19 (2009) 447.81 (2008)

Exports

$4.126 billion (2012 est.) $4.306 billion (2011 est.)

Exports - commodities

oil, cattle, cotton, gum arabic

Exports - partners

US 81.9%, China 6.7% (2012)

Fiscal year

calendar year

GDP - composition, by end use

66.5% 11.9% 31.9% 0.7% 41% -52.1% (2012 est.)

exports of goods and services

41%

government consumption

11.9%

household consumption

66.5%

imports of goods and services

-52.1%

investment in fixed capital

31.9%

investment in inventories

0.7%

GDP - composition, by sector of origin

47.9% 9.4% 42.6% (2012 est.)

agriculture

47.9%

industry

9.4%

services

42.6% (2012 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$2,500 (2012 est.) $2,300 (2011 est.) $2,400 (2010 est.) data are in 2012 US dollars

GDP - real growth rate

8.9% (2012 est.) 0.1% (2011 est.) 13.6% (2010 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$12.73 billion (2012 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$26.58 billion (2012 est.) $24.41 billion (2011 est.) $24.39 billion (2010 est.) data are in 2012 US dollars

Gross national saving

45.6% of GDP (2012 est.) 45.4% of GDP (2011 est.) 27.7% of GDP (2010 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share

2.6% 30.8% (2003)

highest 10%

30.8% (2003)

lowest 10%

2.6%

Imports

$2.672 billion (2012 est.) $2.696 billion (2011 est.)

Imports - commodities

machinery and transportation equipment, industrial goods, foodstuffs, textiles

Imports - partners

China 20.2%, Cameroon 18.2%, France 16.1%, Saudi Arabia 5.6%, US 4.2% (2012)

Industrial production growth rate

10.6% (2012 est.)

Industries

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

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

10.2% (2012 est.) -4.9% (2011 est.)

Labor force

4.293 million (2007)

Labor force - by occupation

80% (2006 est.) 20% (2006 est.)

agriculture

80% (2006 est.)

industry and services

20% (2006 est.)

Market value of publicly traded shares

$NA

Population below poverty line

80% (2001 est.)

Public debt

31.3% of GDP (2012 est.) 38.9% of GDP (2011 est.)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$1.174 billion (31 December 2012 est.) $968.1 million (31 December 2011 est.)

Stock of broad money

$1.642 billion (31 December 2012 est.) $1.335 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad

$NA

Stock of direct foreign investment - at home

$4.5 billion (2006 est.)

Stock of domestic credit

$550.7 million (31 December 2012 est.) $553.5 million (31 December 2011 est.)

Stock of narrow money

$1.442 billion (31 December 2012 est.) $1.235 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

Taxes and other revenues

21.6% of GDP (2012 est.)

Unemployment rate

NA%

Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy

289,800 Mt (2011 est.)

Crude oil - exports

125,700 bbl/day (2010 est.)

Crude oil - imports

0 bbl/day (2010 est.)

Crude oil - production

104,500 bbl/day (2012 est.)

Crude oil - proved reserves

1.5 billion bbl (1 January 2013 es)

Electricity - consumption

91.14 million kWh (2010 est.)

Electricity - exports

0 kWh (2012 est.)

Electricity - from fossil fuels

100% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)

Electricity - from hydroelectric plants

0% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)

Electricity - from nuclear fuels

0% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)

Electricity - from other renewable sources

0% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)

Electricity - imports

0 kWh (2012 est.)

Electricity - installed generating capacity

31,000 kW (2010 est.)

Electricity - production

98 million kWh (2010 est.)

Natural gas - consumption

0 cu m (2010 est.)

Natural gas - exports

0 cu m (2011 est.)

Natural gas - imports

0 cu m (2011 est.)

Natural gas - production

0 cu m (2011 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves

999.5 billion cu m (1 January 2012 es)

Refined petroleum products - consumption

1,817 bbl/day (2011 est.)

Refined petroleum products - exports

0 bbl/day (2010 est.)

Refined petroleum products - imports

1,754 bbl/day (2010 est.)

Refined petroleum products - production

0 bbl/day (2010 est.)

Broadcast media

1 state-owned TV 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

6 (2012)

Internet users

168,100 (2009)

Telephone system

inadequate system of radiotelephone communication stations with high costs and low telephone density fixed-line connections for less than 1 per 100 persons coupled with mobile-cellular subscribership base of only about 35 per 100 persons country code - 235; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) (2011)

domestic

fixed-line connections for less than 1 per 100 persons coupled with mobile-cellular subscribership base of only about 35 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) (2011)

Telephones - main lines in use

29,900 (2012)

Telephones - mobile cellular

4.2 million (2012)

Airports

59 (2013)

Airports - with paved runways

1 (2013)

1,524 to 2,437 m

2

2,438 to 3,047 m

4

over 3,047 m

2

total

9

under 914 m

1 (2013)

Airports - with unpaved runways

11 (2013)

1,524 to 2,437 m

14

2,438 to 3,047 m

2

914 to 1,523 m

22

over 3,047 m

1

total

50

Pipelines

oil 582 km (2013)

Roadways

40,000 km consists of 25,000 km of national and regional roads and 15,000 km of local roads; 206 km of urban roads are paved (2011)

total

40,000 km

Waterways

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

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

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)

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)

Military expenditures

1.6% of GDP (2011)

Military service age and obligation

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 of 21 (2012)

Disputes - international

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

Refugees and internally displaced persons

346,000 (Sudan); 78,950 (Central African Republic) (2013) 90,000 (majority are in the east) (2012)

IDPs

90,000 (majority are in the east) (2012)

refugees (country of origin)

346,000 (Sudan); 78,950 (Central African Republic) (2013)

Trafficking in persons

Chad is a source, transit, and destination country for children subjected to forced labor and sex trafficking; the trafficking problem is mainly internal and frequently involves family members entrusting children to relatives or intermediaries in return for promises of education, apprenticeships, goods, or money; child trafficking victims are subjected to involuntary domestic servitude, forced cattle herding, forced begging, involuntary agricultural labor, or commercial sexual exploitation; some Chadian girls who travel to larger towns in search of work are forced into prostitution; in 2012, Chadian children were identified in some government military training centers and among rebel groups Tier 2 Watch List - 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 has made a limited commitment to increased anti-trafficking law enforcement but continues to lack formal victim identification procedures; draft revisions to Chad's penal code that would prohibit child trafficking and provide protection for victims were not enacted for the third consecutive year; the government continues its nationwide campaign on human rights issues, including human trafficking, and high-ranking officials, such as the president and prime minister, are speaking out publicly against human trafficking (2013)

current situation

Chad is a source, transit, and destination country for children subjected to forced labor and sex trafficking; the trafficking problem is mainly internal and frequently involves family members entrusting children to relatives or intermediaries in return for promises of education, apprenticeships, goods, or money; child trafficking victims are subjected to involuntary domestic servitude, forced cattle herding, forced begging, involuntary agricultural labor, or commercial sexual exploitation; some Chadian girls who travel to larger towns in search of work are forced into prostitution; in 2012, Chadian children were identified in some government military training centers and among rebel groups

tier rating

Tier 2 Watch List - 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 has made a limited commitment to increased anti-trafficking law enforcement but continues to lack formal victim identification procedures; draft revisions to Chad's penal code that would prohibit child trafficking and provide protection for victims were not enacted for the third consecutive year; the government continues its nationwide campaign on human rights issues, including human trafficking, and high-ranking officials, such as the president and prime minister, are speaking out publicly against human trafficking (2013)