Chad
Chad is a large, landlocked Central African country and one of the poorest countries in the world. The rural population in particular suffers extreme poverty. The potential of existing natural resources is limited by multiple factors such as climate change. Food security is one of the biggest problem areas in Chad.
The Chadian economy is highly dependent on oil production. However, the profits made from it benefit the population only minimally. Many people live from agriculture, which is facing great challenges due to the climate crisis. Increasing migration further intensifies competition for available resources. Caritas Switzerland has been actively engaged in Chad since 1973, working to protect migrants, improving young people’s access to the labour market and supporting smallholder farmers.
Overview in figures
Sources: Human Development Report, UNESCO, UNFPA (as of 2022)
- Total population: 17,4 million
- Poverty index (proportion of people affected by poverty): 79,3%
- Prosperity indicator (total 191 states): rank 190
- Gross National Income per capita: USD 1’364
- Life expectancy at birth: 53 years
- Child mortality: 33%
- Literacy rate (age 15 and over): 22%
- CO2 emissions per capita: 0,1 tons
Caritas Switzerland on site
Header image: Harvest time in Danamadji in southern Chad. © Fabian Biasio