World Happiness Report for Chad 2024
- Overall Happiness Rank Chad: 113
- Happiness Score Chad:4.471
Happiness is a subjective concept that has long been debated by philosophers, psychologists, and economists alike. However, in recent years, there has been a growing interest in quantifying happiness and using it as a measure of a nation’s overall well-being. This is where the concept of the Happiness Index comes into play.
What is the Happiness Index?
The Happiness Index is a measure that attempts to quantify the overall happiness and life satisfaction of a country’s population. It is based on the idea that traditional economic indicators, such as Gross Domestic Product (GDP), do not fully capture the overall well-being of a society. The Happiness Index takes into account various factors that contribute to an individual’s sense of happiness and life satisfaction, including social support, freedom to make life choices, healthy life expectancy, and perceptions of corruption.
How is the Happiness Index Calculated?
The Happiness Index is calculated through a combination of subjective and objective data. The primary source of data is the Gallup World Poll, which is a survey conducted in over 160 countries. The survey asks respondents to rate their overall life satisfaction on a scale of 0 to 10, with 0 being the worst possible life and 10 being the best possible life.
In addition to the life satisfaction score, the Happiness Index also takes into account the following factors:
- GDP per capita: This is a measure of a country’s economic output and standard of living.
- Social support: This factor measures the extent to which individuals have supportive relationships and love in their lives.
- Healthy life expectancy: This is a measure of the number of years an individual is expected to live in good health.
- Freedom to make life choices: This factor measures the extent to which individuals are able to make decisions about their lives without external constraints.
- Generosity: This factor measures the extent to which individuals engage in charitable activities and donate to others.
- Perceptions of corruption: This factor measures the extent to which individuals perceive their society to be free from corruption.
These factors are weighted and combined to produce an overall Happiness Index score for each country.
What Does the Happiness Index Affect?
The Happiness Index has significant implications for policymaking and societal well-being. Countries with higher Happiness Index scores are generally considered to have better overall quality of life and well-being for their citizens. This can have positive impacts on various aspects of society, including:
- Economic productivity: Happier individuals tend to be more productive and engaged in their work, which can contribute to a country’s economic growth.
- Public health: Higher levels of happiness and life satisfaction are associated with better physical and mental health outcomes, which can reduce healthcare costs and improve overall well-being.
- Social cohesion: Societies with higher levels of happiness tend to have stronger social bonds and lower levels of conflict and crime.
- Environmental sustainability: Happier individuals may be more likely to engage in environmentally-friendly behaviors and support policies that promote sustainability.
By focusing on the factors that contribute to happiness and well-being, policymakers can develop strategies to improve the overall quality of life for their citizens. The Happiness Index provides a valuable tool for measuring progress and identifying areas where improvements can be made.
Short information
- Abbreviation of Chad. TD.
- Chad is a landlocked country in north-central Africa
- It has a presidential republic political structure
- Notable cultural aspects include traditional music and dance
- One interesting fact is that the Sahara Desert covers much of the northern part of the country
- Chad is known for its diverse ethnic groups and languages
- The country’s economy is largely based on agriculture and livestock.
Chad – A Comprehensive Overview
History and Civilizations
Chad’s history can be traced back to ancient kingdoms and empires that flourished in the region. The Kanem-Bornu Empire, centered around Lake Chad, was a prominent power from the 9th to the 19th century, ruling over a vast territory and contributing to the spread of Islam. The Ouaddai Empire, based in eastern Chad, was another significant kingdom that ruled from the 16th to the 19th century.
In the late 19th century, Chad came under French colonial rule, becoming part of French Equatorial Africa. The colonial period brought significant changes, including the imposition of French administrative systems and the exploitation of natural resources.
Independence and Modern Era: Chad gained independence from France in 1960. However, the years following independence were marked by political instability, civil wars, and conflicts with neighboring countries. In 1990, a democratic transition began, but instability and violence continued to plague the country.
Current Political Situation: Chad is a semi-presidential republic with a multi-party system. The current president is Idriss Déby, who has been in power since 1990. Recent elections have been marred by allegations of irregularities and violence.
International Relations: Chad maintains diplomatic relations with various countries and is a member of organizations such as the African Union and the United Nations. However, conflicts with neighboring countries, particularly Sudan and the Central African Republic, have strained regional relations.
Human Development and Economy: Chad has a predominantly agricultural economy, with cotton being a major export. Despite its natural resources, including oil, Chad remains one of the least developed countries in the world, with high rates of poverty, food insecurity, and limited access to basic services.
Cultural Highlights: Chad is a diverse country with over 200 ethnic groups, each with its unique cultural traditions. Islam and Christianity are the major religions. The country is known for its vibrant music, dance, and crafts, reflecting its rich cultural heritage.
Challenges and Opportunities: Chad faces pressing challenges, including political instability, poverty, environmental degradation, and conflicts. However, its natural resources, strategic location, and cultural diversity offer opportunities for economic growth and regional cooperation if stability can be achieved.
Travel Tips for Chad
- Best Time to Visit: The dry season from October to April is generally considered the best time to visit Chad, as the weather is cooler and more comfortable.
- Cultural Etiquette: Respect local customs and dress modestly, especially in religious settings. Greet elders with respect and avoid public displays of affection.
- Safety Precautions: Exercise caution and avoid travel to areas with active conflicts or high crime rates. Follow the advice of local authorities and your embassy or consulate.
- Must-See Landmarks: Visit the Ennedi Plateau and Lakes Ounianga, both UNESCO World Heritage Sites, as well as the Zakouma National Park for its diverse wildlife.
- Culinary Experiences: Try local dishes like aish (a thick porridge), la’ri (meat and vegetable stew), and grilled fish from Lake Chad.
Living in Chad
- Cost of Living: The cost of living in Chad is generally low, but amenities and infrastructure can be limited, especially outside the capital, N’Djamena.
- Housing: Expats often choose to live in secure compounds or gated communities, while locals reside in traditional housing or modern apartments.
- Healthcare: The healthcare system in Chad is underdeveloped, and many people rely on traditional medicine. Private clinics and hospitals in N’Djamena offer better care, but facilities are limited.
Main facts
1. Location
Chad is a landlocked country situated in north-central Africa. It is bordered by Libya to the north, Sudan to the east, the Central African Republic to the south, Cameroon and Nigeria to the southwest, and Niger to the west. The central region of Chad is dominated by the Sahara Desert, while the southern region is characterized by savannas and woodlands.
2. Map References
Chad is located in Central Africa, within the northern part of the African continent.
3. Area – Comparative
Chad has a total area of approximately 1,284,000 square kilometers (496,000 square miles), making it slightly more than three times the size of California.
4. Land Boundaries and Border Countries
Chad shares land borders with the following countries:
- Libya: 1,055 km
- Sudan: 1,360 km
- Central African Republic: 1,197 km
- Cameroon: 1,094 km
- Nigeria: 85 km
- Niger: 1,175 km
5. Coastline
Chad is a landlocked country, with no coastline.
6. Maritime Claims
As a landlocked country, Chad does not have any maritime claims.
7. Climate
Chad has a hot and dry climate, with a semi-arid tropical zone in the south and an arid desert climate in the north. The dry season lasts from October to May, while the rainy season lasts from June to September.
8. Terrain
The terrain of Chad is predominantly broad, arid plains in the center, desert in the north, and hills and plateaus in the south. The Ennedi Plateau and the Tibesti Mountains are notable geographic features in the north, while the Guéra Massif and the Ouaddaï Highlands are located in the east.
9. Elevation Extremes
The highest point in Chad is Emi Koussi, a volcanic mountain in the Tibesti Mountains, which reaches an elevation of 3,415 meters (11,204 feet). The lowest point is the Djourab Depression, located in the northern part of the country, with an elevation of 160 meters (525 feet) below sea level.
10. Natural Resources
Chad’s major natural resources include petroleum, natron (natural soda ash), gold, limestone, and uranium.
11. Major Bodies of Water
The major bodies of water in Chad include Lake Chad, a freshwater lake shared with Cameroon, Niger, and Nigeria; the Chari River, which flows into Lake Chad; and the Logone River, a tributary of the Chari River.
12. Natural Hazards
The major natural hazards affecting Chad include hot, dry, dusty harmattan winds, periodic droughts, and locust plagues.
13. Geography – Notes
Chad is one of the hottest and most arid countries in the world, with a significant portion of its territory covered by the Sahara Desert. The country’s limited arable land and water resources, combined with recurring droughts, pose significant challenges to agriculture and food security.
- Forest Area (% of land area): 3.80%. This is the percentage of a country’s total land area that is covered by natural or planted forests.
- Co2 Emissions: 1,016. CO2 emissions refer to the release of carbon dioxide gas into the atmosphere, primarily from the burning of fossil fuels (coal, oil, and natural gas) for energy production, transportation, and industrial processes.
- Agricultural Land( %). 39.70%. Agricultural land refers to the share of land area that is arable and used for cultivating crops or raising livestock.
- Geographic Coordinates: 15.45416618.732207.
- Capital: The capital of Chad is N’Djamena
- Major Cities:
- N’Djamena – Population: 1,605,696
- Moundou – Population: 137,898
- Sarh – Population: 102,528
- Abeche – Population: 98,279
- Population: 15,946,876
- Area(Km2): 1284000
- Population Density( P/Km²):13. This is the number of people living per square kilometer of land area in a given region or country.
- Calling Code:235
- Official Language(s):Chad: French (68%) Arabic (12%) Kanuri (4%) Peul (3%) Sara (2%) Others (11%)
- Currency: XAF
Main Economic Indicators
Chad’s economy is heavily dependent on oil and agriculture, with limited economic diversification. The economy faces significant challenges, including high poverty rates, inadequate infrastructure, and limited access to resources. Notable policies aim to promote economic growth, reduce poverty, and improve governance.
Inflation Rate (Consumer Prices)
2021: 3.1% (Source: World Bank)
2020: 3.5% (Source: World Bank)
Credit Ratings
Fitch: No rating available
Moody’s: No rating available
Standard & Poor’s: No rating available
GDP – Composition by Sector of Origin
Agriculture: 39.6%
Industry: 12.6%
Services: 47.8%
Key Agricultural and Industrial Products
Agricultural Products: Cotton, sorghum, millet, peanuts, rice, potatoes, cassava (manioc, yuca), cattle, sheep, goats
Industrial Products: Oil, cotton textiles, brewing, natron (sodium carbonate), soap, cigarettes, construction materials
Labor Force
Total Labor Force: 5.235 million (2021 estimate)
Comparative Ranking: No data available
Current Account Balance
2021: -$704 million (Source: World Bank)
2020: -$488 million (Source: World Bank)
Comparative Ranking: No data available
Exports and Imports
Exports: $2.79 billion (2020 estimate)
Key Partners: United States, China, Japan, India, Netherlands
Main Commodities: Oil, cattle, cotton, gum arabic
Imports: $1.48 billion (2020 estimate)
Key Partners: China, France, Cameroon, Belgium, Saudi Arabia
Main Commodities: Machinery and transportation equipment, industrial goods, foodstuffs, textiles
Reserves of Foreign Exchange and Gold
Foreign Exchange Reserves: $663.3 million (December 2021 estimate)
Gold Reserves: 0.34 metric tons (December 2021 estimate)
- GDP (Current US$):$11,314,951,343. It represents a country’s gross domestic product measured in current US dollars. Higher values indicate a larger economy and economic output.
- Tax Revenue (% of GDP): . It refers to the amount of tax revenue collected by the government, expressed as a percentage of the country’s gross domestic product (GDP). Higher values indicate a higher tax burden relative to the size of the economy.
- Total Tax Rate (% of commercial profits): 63.50%. This is the sum of all taxes payable by businesses, expressed as a percentage of their commercial profits. Higher values indicate a higher tax burden on businesses.
- Gasoline Price. $0.78. It refers to the cost of one liter or gallon of gasoline/petrol. Higher values indicate more expensive gasoline prices for consumers and businesses.
- Minimum wage. $0.60. It refers to the lowest legally mandated hourly wage that employers must pay their workers. Higher values indicate a higher minimum level of pay for low-wage workers.
- Unemployment Rate (%): 1.89%. It represents the percentage of the labor force that is unemployed and actively seeking employment. Higher values indicate more joblessness in the economy.
Social Indicators
Noun: Chadian(s)
Adjective: Chadian
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 (3.7%)
- Other (7.6%)
Religions
- Muslim (58.4%)
- Protestant (18.5%)
- Roman Catholic (16.9%)
- Animist (4.4%)
- Other (1.8%)
Age Structure
- 0-14 years: 46.92%
- 15-64 years: 50.38%
- 65 years and over: 2.7%
Dependency Ratios
Total Dependency Ratio: 97.5
Youth Dependency Ratio: 92.7
Elderly Dependency Ratio: 4.8
Median Age
Total: 16.6 years
Male: 16.2 years
Female: 16.9 years
Lifestyle Indicators
Obesity Rate: 5.8%
Alcohol Consumption: 0.6 liters per capita per year
Tobacco Use: 9.4% of adults
Infant Mortality Rate: 85.4 deaths per 1,000 live births
Life Expectancy at Birth: 54.2 years (52.5 years for males, 56 years for females)
- Life Expectancy at Birth: 54. Life Expectancy at Birth refers to the estimated average number of years a newborn is expected to live based on current mortality rates. Higher values indicate better health outcomes and living conditions in a country or region.
- Literacy Rate (% of adults): 22.3%. It refers to the percentage of the population aged 15 and above who can read and write with understanding of a short simple statement about their everyday life. Higher literacy rates indicate better educational attainment within a population.
- Birth Rate:42.17. Birth Rate is the total number of live births per 1,000 population in a given year. Higher birth rates indicate a larger share of the population being born each year.
- Death Rate:13. Death Rate is the number of deaths per 1,000 population in a given year. Higher death rates indicate more people dying annually within a population.
- Fertility Rate: 5.75. Fertility Rate is the average number of children a woman would have over her reproductive years based on current birth rates. Higher fertility rates indicate larger family sizes and population growth.
- Internet Users (% of population): 5.6%. Internet Users (% of population) refers to the percentage of the total population in a country or region that has access to and uses the internet. Higher values indicate greater internet penetration and connectivity among the population.
- Urban Population: 3,712,273. Urban Population refers to the percentage or number of people living in urban areas or cities within a country or region. Higher urban population values indicate greater urbanization and concentration of people in cities compared to rural areas.
- Out of Pocket Health Expenditure (% of total health expenditure):56.40%. Out of Pocket Health Expenditure (% of total health expenditure) represents the portion of total health care costs that individuals pay directly out of their own pockets, rather than being covered by insurance or government programs. Higher values indicate greater personal financial burden for health care expenses.
Infrastructure and Services
Military and Security Forces
Chad’s military forces consist of the Army, Air Force, and Gendarmerie. The Army is the largest branch, with the Air Force providing limited air support capabilities. The Gendarmerie serves as a paramilitary national police force responsible for internal security.
Military Expenditures
Chad’s military spending as a percentage of GDP for the last five years:
- 2022: 2.5%
- 2021: 2.7%
- 2020: 2.9%
- 2019: 3.1%
- 2018: 2.8%
Chad ranks in the top 50 globally for military spending as a percentage of GDP.
Personnel Strengths
Chad’s total active-duty military personnel is approximately 30,000, with the following breakdown:
- Army: 25,000
- Air Force: 1,000
- Gendarmerie: 4,000
Military Equipment Inventories and Acquisitions
Chad’s military equipment inventory primarily includes older Soviet-era hardware, including T-55 tanks, BTR armored personnel carriers, and Mi-24 attack helicopters. The country has also acquired some more modern equipment from France and other partners in recent years, such as MBDA Milan anti-tank missiles and Cessna aircraft for the Air Force.
There are no significant future military acquisitions or development programs currently announced.
Military Service Age and Obligation
Chad has a voluntary military service system, with the age range for enlistment between 18 and 40 years old. There are no mandatory military service obligations.
Military Deployments
Chad has contributed troops to the following international peacekeeping missions:
- United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA): 1,400 troops
- United Nations Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA): 200 troops
Strategic Military Notes
Chad’s overall defense strategy focuses on counterterrorism efforts against regional extremist groups like Boko Haram and maintaining internal stability. The military plays a key role in regional security initiatives, particularly in the Lake Chad Basin region.
Chad is a member of the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF), a coalition of regional militaries combating Boko Haram, and has close security partnerships with France and other Western partners.
- Armed Forces Size: 35000. Armed Forces Size refers to the total number of active personnel serving in a country’s military forces, including the army, navy, air force, and other branches. Higher values indicate a larger military presence and personnel.
- Physicians per Thousand: Number of doctors per 1,000 people is 0.04
- Population: Labor Force Participation (%): 70.70%. This is the percentage of the total population aged 15 and older that is economically active, meaning they are either employed or actively seeking employment. Higher values indicate a greater proportion of the working-age population engaged in the labor force.