Updated
Overview
Chad has 3.8 times the population of the Central African Republic: 21.00 million people against 5.51 million (2025).
Chad's economy is 7.0 times the size of the Central African Republic's, at $21.47B versus $3.07B.
Per person, Chad is the wealthier of the two: $1,022 against $556 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | Chad | Central African Republic | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | Higher: $21.47B | $3.07B | 2025 | $20.63B / $2.75B |
| GDP per capita | Higher: $1,022 | $556 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | Higher: 5.6% | 4.5% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | Lower: -3.9% | 1.0% | 2025 | 8.9% / 3.0% |
| Unemployment | Lower: 1.1% | 6.3% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 35 | 42 | 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | $206 | — | 2022 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | Higher: $99 | $58 | 2024 | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 21.00 million | 5.51 million | 2025 | 19.67 million / 5.75 million |
| Population growth | 3.4% | 3.4% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 15.8 yrs | 14.5 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 5.94 | 5.81 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | 55.2 yrs | Higher: 57.7 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 28% | 45% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | 13% | Higher: 14% | 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 1,284,000 km² | 622,984 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 16.4/km² | 8.8/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 2.83 Mt | Lower: 0.40 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | 0.1 t | Lower: 0.1 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $557.71M | $71.17M | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 3.0% | 2.5% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 45,000 | 10,000 | 2020 | — / — |
Sources by row: World Bank WDI, IMF WEO, UN WPP 2024, ILOSTAT, The Economist. Emphasis marks the stronger figure where one direction is meaningfully better.
Reading the numbers
Economy
Chad is growing faster: 5.6% annual GDP growth versus 4.5%.
The Central African Republic runs the hotter price environment: 1.0% inflation versus -3.9%.
People and society
Demographically the two are similar, with median ages of 15.8 (Chad) and 14.5 (the Central African Republic).
Life expectancy is 2.4 years longer in the Central African Republic (57.7 vs 55.2).
The Central African Republic is considerably more urbanized: 45% of people live in cities, against 28%.
Geography
By land area, Chad is 2.1 times the size of the Central African Republic: 1,284,000 km² versus 622,984 km².
The two share a land border, which shapes their trade, migration, and security relationship.
Military
Chad spends 7.8 times as much on defence as the Central African Republic: $557.71M versus $71.17M (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Chad fields the larger armed forces: 45,000 personnel against 10,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is Chad bigger than the Central African Republic?
- Chad is larger by land area. Chad covers 1,284,000 km² while the Central African Republic covers 622,984 km², so Chad is 2.1 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, Chad or the Central African Republic?
- Chad has the larger population: 21.00 million versus 5.51 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is Chad richer than the Central African Republic?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Chad is richer: $1,022 against $556. Total GDP tells the same story: $21.47B for Chad versus $3.07B for the Central African Republic.
- Who spends more on their military, Chad or the Central African Republic?
- Chad spends more: $557.71M versus $71.17M per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).
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