The Demographics of Chad

The estimated population of Chad as of July 2011 is approximately 10.7 million, while the population growth rate is estimated at 2.01% and the estimated birth rate is 39.4 births per 1,000 population. Almost 28% of the population live in urban areas of Chad while the annual rate of urbanization is estimated at 4.6% (2010).

Estimated Age Structure: 

  • 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)

Estimated infant mortality:

  • Total: 95.31 deaths/1,000 live births
  • Male: 101.18 deaths/1,000 live births
  • Female: 89.22 deaths/1,000 live births (2011 est.)

Death rate (July 2011): 15.47 deaths per 1000 adults.

Life expectancy at birth (2011):

  • Total population: 48.33 years
  • Male: 47.28 years
  • Female: 49.43 years

HIV / AIDS Statistics (2009):

  • Adult prevalence rate: 3.4%
  • People living with HIV/AIDS: 210,000
  • Fatalities: 11,000

Ethnic group population estimates:

  • 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)

Religious affiliation (1993 census):

  • Muslim 53.1%
  • Catholic 20.1%
  • Protestant 14.2%
  • Animist 7.3%
  • Other 0.5%
  • Unknown 1.7%
  • Atheist 3.1%

Languages: 

  • French (official)
  • Arabic (official)
  • Sara (in south)
  • More than 133 different languages and dialects

Literacy (by definition: age 15 and over can read and write French or Arabic) (2000):

  • Total population: 25.7%
  • Male: 40.8%
  • Female: 12.8%

 Reference: US State Department