Chad

III

Population

The population of Chad consists of numerous ethnic groups. Arab peoples are important in the north and east, and black African peoples dominate in the south.

A

Population Characteristics

The estimated population of Chad in 2007 was 10,238,807. The overall population density is 8 persons per sq km (21 per sq mi). Some 74 percent of the people live in rural areas, and most of the population is concentrated in the south. The population may be divided into two main groups: a Muslim population in the northern and eastern portions of the country and the non-Muslims of black African origin in the southern regions. The Muslim population includes both nomadic Arabs and sedentary non-Arab peoples. The largest group among the non-Muslims is the Sara tribe. Chad culture draws most heavily on the ethnic heritage of its black peoples, but Islamic and French influences are much in evidence.

B

Political Divisions and Principal Cities

Chad is divided into 14 prefectures. N’Djamena (formerly Fort-Lamy), is the capital and largest city. Other important cities include Sarh, formerly Fort-Archambault, Moundou, and Abéché.

C

Language and Religion

The official languages of Chad are French and Arabic, but numerous African languages are spoken. Chadic languages, especially Hausa, are spoken in the Lake Chad area. Muslims make up about 59 percent of the population. About 17 percent of the people are Christians. Most of the remaining population adheres to traditional religions.

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D

Education

In 2000 Chad had a literacy rate of 54 percent. School attendance in the 2000 school year was 984,224 primary and 123,408 secondary students. During this period there were 4,028 primary schools. In the mid-1990s about 3,000 people attended institutions of higher education, including the country’s one university, the University of Chad (founded in 1971).

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