Life in Chad: Every Number That Shapes It (1800–2100)

The statistics of a nation are not just digits; they are the cumulative record of human resilience. Behind these metrics, individuals navigate a landscape defined by significant shifts in daily existence. From the classrooms to the power grid, the data reveals how basic conditions have evolved over seven decades. While averages cannot capture the entirety of a person’s experience, they outline the framework within which millions shape their futures. These numbers document the slow, steady transformation of a society moving through time, marking the transition from one era to another.

The arc from the 1950s to the 2020s reflects profound change. In the 1950s, life expectancy was 36, and child mortality stood at 320 per 1,000 births. By the 2020s, life expectancy rose to 62, while child mortality dropped to 75 per 1,000 births. Economic and social conditions followed this trajectory: extreme poverty fell from 75 to 35 %, and electricity at home grew from 3 to 48 %. During the same span, internet access climbed from 0 to 29 %, and years of schooling increased from 1.2 to 6 years.

A child born in Chad in the 2020s can expect to live 62 years on an average income of 3,800 international dollars. Compared to the 1950s, where income per person was 1,500 intl-$, the current generation lives in a world of expanded urbanization, with 41 % living in cities compared to 11 in the 1950s. While annual working hours decreased from 2,200 to 2,050 hours/year and the homicide rate shifted from 11 to 9.5 per 100,000, children per woman declined from 6.6 to 4.6 births, and average male height rose from 167 to 169 cm. See your parallel life in Chad.