Quick facts
Chad population overview
Chad is the 23rd most populous of 58 countries and territories in Africa. The United Nations put the population at 21,280,420 on 1 January 2026; with an annual growth rate of +2.6% the live estimate on this page rises by roughly 1,521 people per day.
Over a full year that means about 898,034 births (42.2 per 1,000 people) and 231,957 deaths (10.9 per 1,000), and net emigration of roughly 110,658 people. The infant mortality rate is 61.7 per 1,000 live births.
World Bank data show the population grew from 3,049,838 in 1960 to 21,003,705 in 2025 — a change of +588.7%, or +3% per year on average. The population is at its all-time high today.
Demographically, the median age is 15.7 years; life expectancy at birth is 55.6 years; women have on average 6 children (2024, above the 2.1 replacement level); 46% of residents are under 15 and 2.1% are 65 or older (2025); 27.6% of people live in urban areas (2025).
The capital is N'Djamena. Chad covers 1,284,000 km², giving a population density of about 16.9 people per km². GDP was $21.47B in 2025 — about $1,022 per person (World Bank classification: low income).
Chad population statistics (2026)
| Population (live, October 2026) | 21,723,352 |
|---|---|
| UN estimate, 1 Jan 2026 | 21,280,420 |
| World rank | #64 of 238 |
| Rank in Africa | #23 of 58 |
| Share of world population | 0.3% |
| Annual growth rate | +2.6% |
| Births per year est. | 898,034 |
| Deaths per year est. | 231,957 |
| Net migration per year est. | -110,658 |
| Birth rate | 42.2 per 1,000 |
| Death rate | 10.9 per 1,000 |
| Infant mortality | 61.7 per 1,000 births |
| Sex ratio | 100.6 males per 100 females |
| Median age | 15.7 years |
| Life expectancy | 55.6 years |
| Fertility rate 2024 | 6 births per woman |
| Urban population 2025 | 27.6% |
| Surface area 2023 | 1,284,000 km² |
| Population density | 16.9 per km² |
| Capital | N'Djamena |
| GDP (current US$) 2025 | $21.47B |
| GDP per capita 2025 | $1,022 |
| Income group World Bank | Low income |
Chad population by year
| Year | Population | Change | Annual growth |
|---|---|---|---|
| October 2026 (live, UN-based) | 21,723,352 | – | – |
| 2025 | 21,003,705 | +704,582 | +3.5% |
| 2024 | 20,299,123 | +980,059 | +5.1% |
| 2023 | 19,319,064 | +863,748 | +4.7% |
| 2022 | 18,455,316 | +627,043 | +3.5% |
| 2021 | 17,828,273 | +603,594 | +3.5% |
| 2020 | 17,224,679 | +2,577,058 | +3.3% |
| 2015 | 14,647,621 | +2,335,046 | +3.5% |
| 2010 | 12,312,575 | +1,984,483 | +3.6% |
| 2005 | 10,328,092 | +1,815,999 | +3.9% |
| 2000 | 8,512,093 | +1,423,029 | +3.7% |
| 1995 | 7,089,064 | +1,106,231 | +3.5% |
| 1990 | 5,982,833 | +886,564 | +3.3% |
| 1985 | 5,096,269 | +580,816 | +2.4% |
| 1980 | 4,515,453 | +348,219 | +1.6% |
| 1975 | 4,167,234 | +439,406 | +2.3% |
| 1970 | 3,727,828 | +353,608 | +2% |
| 1965 | 3,374,220 | +324,382 | +2% |
| 1960 | 3,049,838 | – | – |
Change and annual growth are measured against the previous row; growth is annualized where rows are five years apart. The live row extrapolates the UN estimate and is not directly comparable with the World Bank series.
About Chad
Population over time
- From 3,049,838 in 1960 to 21,723,352 today — up 612.3%.
- The population is at its all-time high right now.
- Average change over the last 10 years of data: +3.7% per year.
Life expectancy & fertility
- Life expectancy at birth: 55.2 years (2024), up 16 years since 1960.
- Fertility: 6 births per woman (2024) — above the ~2.1 replacement level.
Birth & death rates
- Latest: 43.3 births vs 11.1 deaths per 1,000 people (2024).
- Natural increase of 32.2 per 1,000 a year, before migration.
Age structure
- 46% of the population is under 15 and 2.1% is 65 or older (2025).
- The 65+ share has shrunk from 4% in 1960 — the population is getting younger.
CO₂ emissions
- Latest total: 2.89 Mt CO₂ (2024).
- Emissions are at or near their historical peak.
- Per person: 0.14 t in 2024, vs 0.04 t in 1970.
Energy use & renewables
- Energy use: 187.9 kg of oil equivalent per person (2023), down 36.7% since 1990.
- Renewables supplied 70% of final energy in 2022 (-19.5 points since 1990).
Forest area (% of land)
- Forest covers 3.2% of land area (2023).
- Net deforestation: cover fell from 5.3% to 3.2% since 1990 — roughly 28,038 km² of forest lost.
Urban population (% of total)
- 27.6% of people live in urban areas (2025), vs 6.6% in 1960 (+21 points).
- Still majority-rural — less than half the population lives in cities.
Water resources & stress
- Water stress: low — freshwater withdrawals are 5.9% of renewable internal resources (2022, SDG 6.4.2-style bands).
- Renewable freshwater per person: 813 m³ in 2022, down 83.1% since 1961.
Economy
- GDP: $21.47B in 2025.
- Nominal GDP is up 47.5% since 2015.
- That works out to $1,022 per person.
Unemployment & inflation
- Unemployment: 1.1% of the labor force (2025, ILO estimate).
- Consumer-price inflation: -3.9% in 2025.
Internet & mobile
- 12.6% of people used the internet in 2024.
- Mobile subscriptions: 72.9 per 100 people (2024).
Chad in the news
Frequently asked questions
What is the population of Chad in 2026?
As of October 2026, Chad has an estimated population of 21,723,352. The United Nations estimated 21,280,420 residents on 1 January 2026; the live figure on this page extrapolates that estimate using the +2.6% annual growth rate.
Is the population of Chad growing or shrinking?
It is growing at +2.6% per year — roughly 1,521 more people every day. Each year there are about 898,034 births and 231,957 deaths, with net migration of -110,658.
What is the population density of Chad?
About 16.9 people per square kilometre: 21,723,352 people living on 1,284,000 km² of surface area (World Bank, 2023).
What is the median age in Chad?
The median age is 15.7 years, and life expectancy at birth is 55.6 years. 46% of the population is under 15 and 2.1% is 65 or older (2025).
How does Chad rank by population?
Chad is the 64th most populous of 238 countries and territories worldwide and the 23rd in Africa, with 0.3% of the global population.
How has the population of Chad changed over time?
In 1960 the population was 3,049,838; by 2025 it had grown to 21,003,705 (+588.7%). The year-by-year table above lists the full World Bank series.
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SomaliaSources & method: the live population is a linear extrapolation of the UN World Population Prospects estimate for 1 January 2026 using the annual growth rate (+2.6%); births, deaths and migration counters apply the UN crude rates to the live figure. Historical series, area, GDP and other indicators are from World Bank Open Data; the encyclopedic summary is from Wikipedia. Figures are statistical estimates, not census counts. Page generated 2026-10-19. More about our data.