Chad

Wealth and National Well-Being

Country Comparisons:
2010: see chart (lower-middle)

World Factbook: "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."

A report published by the BBC in 2004 describes a poll of 50,000 families in 28 African countries, by the UN Economic Commission for Africa. There are complaints of "corruption, poor tax systems, run-down and unaccountable public services, weak parliaments and unreformed courts." Chad is among the four lowest ranking countries regarding trust in authorities by those polled.

People

Subsistence farming and livestock support 80 percent of Chad's population.

Camel trains are being replaced by trucks.

Living in an urban area:
2008: 27%

According to the BBC in 2006, only 3 percent of the population has access to electricity.

Adult literacy
2000: males 40.8%, females 12.8

Migration
2010: More people leaving than arriving. A net loss of 3.95 per 1,000 population.

Geography

Central Africa south of Libya. More than three times the size of California. Landlocked. Desert in the north, tropical in the south. Plains in center, desert in north, mountains in northwest, lowlands in south. Natural resources: petroleum, uranium, natron, kaolin, fish (Lake Chad), gold, limestone, sand and gravel, salt. Natural hazards: hot, dry, dusty harmattan winds occur in north; periodic droughts; locust plagues.