Chad has a population of approximately 17.7 million people.[1] The country has the majority of its population living in rural regions, with only 24% in urban areas[2]. Agriculture is a significant source of employment for the country as it assumes 69% of the workforce.[3] Economically the sector also plays an important role, responding to 22.6% of the national GDP.[4]
Chad’s agricultural sector is a significant part of its economy. Chad’s rural communities are concentrated in the south, as it is more suited for farming. Rural communities’ development is hindered by poor infrastructure and climate issues like low rainfall and climatic variations. Lack of access to technology, knowledge, and services for farmers prevents the development of income opportunities or improving productivity, as well as damaging ecosystems and causing tensions within the country.[5]
The top produced commodities in Chad are sorghum, groundnuts, millet, cereals, and meat of cattle with the bone.[6] Chad’s top export commodities in terms of quantity are sesame seed, cotton lint, and raw hides and skins of sheep or lambs.[7]
- ^ World Bank (2022). https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SP.POP.TOTL?locations=TD
- ^ World Bank (2022). https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SP.URB.TOTL.IN.ZS?locations=TD
- ^ World Bank (2022). https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SL.AGR.EMPL.ZS?locations=TD
- ^ World Bank (2022). https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/NV.AGR.TOTL.ZS?locations=TD
- ^ IFAD. Country Profiles: Chad. https://www.ifad.org/en/web/operations/w/country/chad
- ^ FAOSTAT (2022). https://www.fao.org/faostat/en/#rankings/commodities_by_country
- ^ FAOSTAT (2022). https://www.fao.org/faostat/en/#rankings/commodities_by_country_exports
Minimum wage
The minimum wage in Chad is separated by agricultural and non-agricultural sectors. For the agricultural sector, it is set by law at 303 Central African francs (0.46 EUR) per hour, or 59,085 Central African francs (90 EUR) per month based on a 195-hour work month. For the non-agricultural sector, it is set at 355 Central African francs (0.54 EUR) per hour, or 69,225 Central African francs (105 EUR) per month based on a 195-hour work month.[1]
Employment in the country is dominated by the informal economy, accounting for 99.8% in agricultural activities, most of whom are self-employed farmers or herders. The impressive number relates to the lack of enforcement from the government on minimum wage and overtime laws, with little or no penalties for wage and hour violations. With the majority of workers in Chad not having formal employment contracts and relations, many don’t receive the minimum wage.[2],. Outstanding payment of salary remains a problem in Chad, most often in the education and healthcare sectors, which resulted in nationwide strikes. [3]
- ^ Wage Indicator Foundation (2024). Minimum Wage-Chad. https://wageindicator.org/salary/minimum-wage/chad
- ^ Global Living Wage Coalition (2022). Anker Living Wage reference value: Rural Chad 2022.https://www.globallivingwage.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Rural-Chad-LW-Reference-Value-Report-2022-c.pdf
- ^ U.S. Department of State. 2023 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices: Chad. https://www.state.gov/reports/2023-country-reports-on-human-rights-practices/chad/
Living wage
The Global Living Wage Coalition has developed a Reference Value for living wage in rural Chad based on the Anker methodology. The Anker Living Wage Reference Value for a worker in typical rural areas oof Chad is 81,578 Central African francs (124 EUR) per month. This is the wage required for these workers to afford a basic but decent standard of living. This value is 22% higher than the Chad national rural poverty line wage, and 41% higher than the World Bank international poverty line wage for low-income countries.[1]
- ^ Global Living Wage Coalition (2022). Anker Living Income Reference Value: Rural Chad 2022. https://www.globallivingwage.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Rural-Chad-LW-Reference-Value-Report-2022-c.pdfhttps://www.globallivingwage.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Update-report_Chad_Rural_2023_JUNE.pdf
Living Wage Reference Value, Rural Chad 
Living wage estimate for workers to be able to afford a basic but decent living standard in a typical rural area of Chad.
Beyond climate change: The effects of deforestation on food security in the Lake Chad region
This study examined how deforestation in concert with climate change has affected food security in the LCR
Climate Risk Profile: Chad
Provides an overview of projected climate parameters and related impacts on different sectors in Chad until 2080 under different climate change scenarios
Food Security in Chad: the Successful Involvement of Refugees and Host Communities in Horticulture
In southern Chad, projects involving refugees and host communities in market gardening have been successful. These initiatives provide training and distribute seeds, boosting productivity and improving food security for over 460,000 people