Chad Population
Sub-Saharan Africa · 63rd most populous · Low income
Population right now (estimate)
21,751,370
The population of Chad is about 21,751,370 as of 22 October 2026 (estimate), and 21.6 million for 2026 as a whole — 0.26% of the world's people.
Chad is ranked 63rd of 217 by population. Its population is growing fast — about 2.7% a year, roughly 1,566 more people every day. By 2050 it is projected to reach about 38.9 million. That is 7.1 times its 1960 population of 3.0 million. Population density is 17 people per square kilometre. 28% of people live in cities (2025).
Population 2026
21.6 million
Yearly change
+2.65%
World rank
63rd
Share of world
0.26%
Density
17/km²
Land area
1,259,200 km²
Life expectancy
55.2 yrs
Births per woman
6.03
GDP per capita
$1,022
GDP
$21.5B
Population of Chad, 1960–2050
Chad population by year
| Year | Population | Yearly change | Density (per km²) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1960 | 3,049,838 | — | 2 |
| 1970 | 3,727,828 | +2.10% | 3 |
| 1980 | 4,515,453 | +0.22% | 4 |
| 1990 | 5,982,833 | +2.81% | 5 |
| 2000 | 8,512,093 | +3.52% | 7 |
| 2010 | 12,312,575 | +3.52% | 10 |
| 2020 | 17,224,679 | +3.23% | 14 |
| 2024 | 20,299,123 | +5.07% | 16 |
| 2026proj. | 21,560,380 | +2.65% | 17 |
| 2030proj. | 24,207,479 | +2.90% | 19 |
| 2040proj. | 31,307,342 | +2.36% | 25 |
| 2050proj. | 38,857,686 | +2.02% | 31 |
Chad vs Bangladesh
Bangladesh (178 million) has 8.2 times as many people as Chad. Bangladesh is 79.8 times more densely populated.
Chad population: questions and answers
What is the population of Chad in 2026?
About 21,560,380 (21.6 million), based on World Bank projections.
Is Chad's population growing?
Yes, by about 2.65% a year (2026).
What is the population density of Chad?
About 17 people per km², with a land area of 1,259,200 km².
What will the population of Chad be in 2050?
About 38.9 million on World Bank projections.
What is the capital of Chad?
N'Djamena.
What is the life expectancy in Chad?
55.2 years at birth (2024).
Sources: World Bank Open Data — World Development Indicators and Population Estimates and Projections (CC BY 4.0); Wikidata (CC0). Data retrieved 2026-10-22. Live figures are mathematical estimates interpolated between the World Bank's mid-year values, not real-time counts.