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Economy of Chad vs Nigeria compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Chad has a GDP of $21.5B compared to $291B for Nigeria, ranking 131/197 and 50/197 by economy size, respectively.

Chad has $6.53B in government debt (30.4% of GDP), compared to $103B (35.5% of GDP) in Nigeria.

Chad vs Nigeria GDP by year

Chad
Nigeria
1x
Year GDP, current $
Chad Nigeria
2025 $21,472,835,225 $290,794,361,542
2024 $19,906,706,690 $252,261,880,140
2023 $18,352,937,976 $487,387,801,878
2022 $17,828,508,290 $646,950,257,575
2021 $16,871,937,698 $609,147,716,965
2020 $14,932,897,821 $598,586,817,817
2019 $14,905,517,743 $668,219,992,687
2018 $15,327,000,249 $421,739,251,509
2017 $13,349,041,409 $375,745,731,053
2016 $13,026,289,836 $404,649,125,252
2015 $14,559,599,500 $493,026,682,801
2014 $18,144,336,904 $574,183,763,412
2013 $17,865,316,886 $520,117,180,314
2012 $17,892,228,570 $463,971,018,239
2011 $16,685,349,674 $414,466,676,831
2010 $14,058,506,664 $366,990,417,129
2009 $12,317,614,054 $295,008,835,381
2008 $13,385,593,990 $339,476,276,258
2007 $10,865,385,132 $278,260,846,800
2006 $9,709,626,596 $238,454,997,161
2005 $8,655,892,393 $175,670,569,969
2004 $4,422,855,661 $135,764,731,646
2003 $2,742,815,072 $104,738,954,264
2002 $1,997,005,709 $95,054,059,303
2001 $1,710,843,377 $73,557,840,064
2000 $1,388,506,772 $69,171,451,627
1999 $1,534,673,583 $59,145,077,039
1998 $1,744,794,531 $218,416,200,673
1997 $1,544,689,577 $200,850,397,618
1996 $1,607,345,356 $185,730,236,700
1995 $1,445,919,895 $140,919,776,986
1994 $1,179,837,963 $80,399,613,064
1993 $1,463,251,164 $56,721,051,402
1992 $1,881,847,670 $52,058,181,854
1991 $1,877,137,982 $59,526,833,412
1990 $1,738,605,558 $54,035,795,388
1989 $1,433,686,312 $44,003,061,108
1988 $1,482,597,298 $49,648,470,440
1987 $1,163,426,852 $52,676,041,931
1986 $1,067,828,246 $54,805,852,581
1985 $1,033,069,709 $73,745,821,158
1984 $919,103,735 $73,484,359,521
1983 $832,415,806 $97,094,911,792
1982 $834,369,860 $142,769,363,314
1981 $876,937,558 $164,475,209,516
1980 $1,033,002,404 $64,201,788,123
1979 $1,004,316,496 $47,259,911,894
1978 $1,113,920,124 $36,527,862,209
1977 $935,360,465 $36,035,407,725
1976 $866,044,962 $36,308,883,249
1975 $864,602,105 $27,778,934,625
1974 $652,532,795 $24,846,641,318
1973 $647,199,483 $15,162,871,287
1972 $585,427,547 $12,274,416,018
1971 $501,866,730 $9,181,769,912
1970 $469,266,737 $12,546,094,982
1969 $471,635,622 $6,634,317,346
1968 $453,980,096 $5,200,997,920
1967 $449,826,323 $5,203,237,919
1966 $432,794,922 $6,366,917,453
1965 $416,926,303 $5,874,537,650
1964 $392,247,518 $5,552,931,319
1963 $371,767,002 $5,165,590,254
1962 $357,635,713 $4,909,399,176
1961 $333,975,336 $4,467,287,893
1960 $313,582,728 $4,196,174,502

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/chad/nigeria | CC BY

GDP per capita in Chad vs Nigeria by year

Chad
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Nigeria
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Chad Nigeria
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $1,022 - $1,224 -
2024 $981 $2,743 $1,084 $9,087
2023 $950 $2,700 $2,139 $8,705
2022 $966 $2,624 $2,899 $8,305
2021 $946 $2,435 $2,787 $7,588
2020 $867 $2,186 $2,797 $7,415
2019 $893 $2,352 $3,190 $7,551
2018 $949 $2,228 $2,058 $7,158
2017 $854 $2,097 $1,876 $7,037
2016 $862 $2,120 $2,070 $7,072
2015 $994 $2,378 $2,586 $7,308
2014 $1,279 $2,133 $3,089 $7,396
2013 $1,305 $2,110 $2,873 $7,004
2012 $1,354 $2,435 $2,633 $6,671
2011 $1,308 $2,388 $2,418 $6,585
2010 $1,142 $2,320 $2,202 $6,301
2009 $1,036 $2,087 $1,820 $5,927
2008 $1,166 $2,181 $2,154 $5,607
2007 $980 $2,149 $1,816 $5,298
2006 $907 $2,079 $1,600 $4,975
2005 $838 $2,102 $1,211 $4,678
2004 $446 $1,808 $962 $4,381
2003 $289.1 $1,378 $763 $4,015
2002 $219.1 $1,226 $712 $3,770
2001 $194.3 $1,152 $566 $3,309
2000 $163.1 $1,044 $547 $3,139
1999 $186.6 $1,066 $481 $3,002
1998 $219.8 $1,096 $1,822 $3,022
1997 $201.4 $1,049 $1,720 $2,990
1996 $216.9 $1,010 $1,633 $2,931
1995 $204 $1,014 $1,272 $2,835
1994 $173.9 $1,026 $745 $2,853
1993 $220.7 $933 $540 $2,921
1992 $290.6 $1,107 $509 $2,991
1991 $302 $1,046 $597 $2,870
1990 $290.6 $967 $556 $2,840
1989 $246.4 - $465 -
1988 $263.5 - $540 -
1987 $213.9 - $588 -
1986 $203.4 - $628 -
1985 $202.7 - $869 -
1984 $182.2 - $890 -
1983 $167.2 - $1,207 -
1982 $176.1 - $1,822 -
1981 $194 - $2,162 -
1980 $228.8 - $870 -
1979 $222.9 - $661 -
1978 $252.5 - $527 -
1977 $215.9 - $536 -
1976 $203.7 - $556 -
1975 $207.5 - $438 -
1974 $160 - $403 -
1973 $162.4 - $252.4 -
1972 $150.4 - $209.5 -
1971 $131.8 - $160.5 -
1970 $125.9 - $224.5 -
1969 $129.2 - $121.4 -
1968 $126.9 - $97.3 -
1967 $128.2 - $99.5 -
1966 $125.8 - $124.4 -
1965 $123.6 - $117.3 -
1964 $118.6 - $113.3 -
1963 $114.7 - $107.7 -
1962 $112.6 - $104.5 -
1961 $107.3 - $97.1 -
1960 $102.8 - $93.1 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/chad/nigeria | CC BY

Chad's GDP per capita is $1,022, ranking 181/197, compared to $1,224 in Nigeria, ranking 172/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Chad ranks 182nd at $2,743, while Nigeria ranks 136th at $9,087.

Economic indicators

Chad Nigeria
Gross domestic product
$21.5B
2025
$291B
2025
GDP rank
131/197
2025
50/197
2025
GDP growth
5.59%
2024-2025
4.01%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$1,022
2025
$1,224
2025
GDP per capita rank
181/197
2025
172/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$2,743
2024
$9,087
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
182/197
2024
136/197
2024
Government debt
$6.53B
2025
$103B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
30.4%
2025
35.5%
2025
Government debt per person
$311
2025
$434
2025
Government debt per person rank
178/185
2025
170/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,529
2026
$768
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$86.9B
2025
Number of billionaires n/a
4
2026
Income share by richest 10%
29.5%
2022
26.3%
2022
Income share by poorest 10%
2.8%
2022
3%
2022
Government expenditure, % of GDP
18.6%
2025
11.7%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
-2.6%
2024-2025
23%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate n/a
26.5%
2026
Unemployment rate
3.11%
2022
3.45%
2024
Population
21855137
245016045

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Chad
Spending

Debt
Nigeria
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Chad Nigeria
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 18.6% 30.4% 11.7% 35.5%
2024 18.1% 31.4% 12% 39.3%
2023 17.1% 32.2% 10.4% 36.3%
2022 12.6% 32.1% 10.6% 29.8%
2021 13% 41.7% 9.09% 26.6%
2020 14.1% 41.6% 8.73% 25.7%
2019 10.6% 38.4% 8.87% 21.4%
2018 9.73% 33.8% 9.1% 20.4%
2017 11.3% 39.1% 8.51% 18%
2016 11.2% 40.2% 6.93% 17.4%
2015 13.8% 31.3% 7.85% 14.9%
2014 16.9% 29.4% 9.49% 15.8%
2013 16.6% 22.3% 10% 13%
2012 16.6% 20% 10.5% 12.5%
2011 16.3% 22.3% 12.3% 12.4%
2010 18.5% 22.9% 11.8% 6.67%
2009 19.8% 23.9% 11% 6.12%
2008 14.6% 15.7% 10.2% 5.17%
2007 13.6% 17.6% 12.9% 5.76%
2006 10.7% 20.1% 8.75% 6.68%
2005 8.87% 22% 12.6% 13.4%
2004 9.84% 25.2% 13% 25.2%
2003 14.9% 34.4% 16.5% 29.9%
2002 13.8% 42% 13.8% 30.7%
2001 12% 43.5% 21.9% 37.7%
2000 14% 52.4% 17.6% 40.9%
1999 12.9% 44.7% 14.9% 46.1%
1998 10.1% 34.7% 11.2% 15.8%
1997 12% 41.3% 9.68% 17.1%
1996 12% 40.5% 7.87% 17.9%
1995 12.3% 41.1% 8.87% 24.2%
1994 - - 12.1% 39.7%
1993 - - 20% 50.4%
1992 - - 15.9% 49.8%
1991 - - 13.6% 53.2%
1990 - - 14.2% 50.9%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1995–1998, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/chad/nigeria | CC BY

In 2025, Chad's government spending was $3.99B, accounting for 18.6% of its GDP, while Nigeria spent $34.1B, or 11.7% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 30.4% in Chad and 35.5% in Nigeria, ranking 152/185 and 143/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Chad

Nigeria
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Chad Nigeria
2025 -1.26% -1.76%
2024 -2.03% -1.27%
2023 -1.26% -3.12%
2022 3.79% -4%
2021 -1.29% -3.97%
2020 1.24% -4.03%
2019 -0.11% -3.31%
2018 1.39% -3.06%
2017 -0.18% -3.85%
2016 -1.51% -3.3%
2015 -3.29% -2.7%
2014 -3.22% -1.72%
2013 -1.5% -1.89%
2012 0.33% -0.09%
2011 1.75% 0.31%
2010 -3.16% -2.96%
2009 -8.44% -3.78%
2008 2.82% 4.05%
2007 2.02% -0.79%
2006 1.7% 6.22%
2005 -0.05% 3.49%
2004 -1.84% 3.9%
2003 -4.32% -1.56%
2002 -4.08% 0.95%
2001 -3.53% -2.29%
2000 -4.68% 2.89%
1999 -4.07% -1.39%
1998 -1.73% -3.47%
1997 -2.58% 1.14%
1996 -2.86% 3.37%
1995 -3.12% 2.52%
1994 - -2.96%
1993 - -6.07%
1992 - 0.94%
1991 - -1.18%
1990 - -0.48%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/chad/nigeria | CC BY

In 2025, Chad's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $271M, equivalent to 1.26% of GDP. This compares to Nigeria's deficit of $5.12B, or 1.76% of GDP.

Over the past 31 years, Chad recorded a fiscal deficit in 23 of those years, while Nigeria ran a deficit in 21 years. On average, Chad posted an annual deficit equal to 1.45% of GDP, compared to deficit of 0.82% of GDP for Nigeria.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Chad

Nigeria
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Chad Nigeria
2025 -2.6% 23%
2024 5.7% 33.2%
2023 4.1% 24.7%
2022 5.8% 18.8%
2021 -0.8% 17%
2020 -2.7% 13.2%
2019 -1% 11.4%
2018 4% 12.1%
2017 -0.9% 16.5%
2016 -1.6% 15.7%
2015 4.8% 9.01%
2014 -5.5% 8.05%
2013 0.2% 8.5%
2012 7.5% 12.2%
2011 2% 10.8%
2010 -2.1% 13.7%
2009 10.1% 12.5%
2008 8.3% 11.6%
2007 -7.4% 5.39%
2006 9.6% 8.23%
2005 4.4% 17.9%
2004 -4.8% 15%
2003 -1.8% 14%
2002 5.2% 12.9%
2001 12.4% 18.9%
2000 3.8% 6.93%
1999 -8.4% 6.62%
1998 4.3% 10%
1997 5.6% 8.53%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/chad/nigeria | CC BY

Over the past 29 years, Chad has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.01%, compared with 13.7% in Nigeria. In 2025, inflation was -2.6% in Chad and 23% in Nigeria.

Top exports between countries

Chad
Export category Export value
Animal & marine products $7K
Chemicals & pharma $1K
Nigeria
Export category Export value
Raw agricultural goods $8.65M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $6.89M
Raw materials & minerals $2.99M
Machinery & equipment $2.06M
Chemicals & pharma $1.01M
Animal & marine products $719K
Metals $52K

Balance of trade

Chad Nigeria
Current account balance
-$37.7M
1994
$14B
2025
Current account balance ranking
75/190
1994
21/190
2025
Current account balance, % of GDP
-3.2%
1994
+4.83%
2025
Goods imports
$212M
1994
$43B
2025
Goods exports
$135M
1994
$57.5B
2025
Service imports
$199M
1994
$19.6B
2025
Service exports
$54.8M
1994
$5.06B
2025
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
16.7%
2025
16.9%
1960
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
29.4%
2025
9.24%
1960

Economic freedom indices

The indices of economic freedom below are issued by the Heritage Foundation. Higher scores indicate stronger economic health.

Chad Nigeria
Economic freedom 51.2 54.8
Economic freedom ranking 154/197 132/197
Property rights 17.2 29.7
Government integrity 15.2 23.5
Judicial effectiveness 15 34.4
Tax burden 77.9 84.6
Government spending 92.2 96.3
Fiscal health 97.9 83.5
Business freedom 27.4 50.3
Labor freedom 53.7 75.4
Monetary freedom 71.6 56.1
Trade freedom 46.4 64.4
Investment freedom 60 30
Financial freedom 40 30

Economic freedom comparison by year

Chad
Nigeria
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Chad Nigeria
2026 51.2 54.8
2025 52.2 53.4
2024 51.4 53.1
2023 52 53.9
2022 49.8 54.4
2021 50.4 58.7
2020 50.2 57.2
2019 49.9 57.3
2018 49.3 58.5
2017 49 57.1
2016 46.3 57.5
2015 45.9 55.6
2014 44.5 54.3
2013 45.2 55.1
2012 44.8 56.3
2011 45.3 56.7
2010 47.5 56.8
2009 47.5 55.1
2008 47.8 55.1
2007 50.1 55.6
2006 50 48.7
2005 52.1 48.4
2004 53.1 49.2
2003 52.6 49.5
2002 49.2 50.9
2001 46.4 49.6
2000 46.8 53.1
1999 47.2 55.7
1998 46.6 52.3
1997 45.1 52.8
1996 - 47.4
1995 - 47.3

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/chad/nigeria | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Chad is 51.2, ranking 154/197, compared to 54.8 for Nigeria, ranking 132/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Chad Nigeria
Services, % of GDP
33.9%
2025
58.2%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
26.7%
2025
16.4%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
36.3%
2025
23%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$20.4B
2025
$324B
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$2,770
2025
$9,230
2025
Total reserves including gold
$1.55B
2024
$46B
2025
Total reserves ranking
133/177
2024
52/177
2025
Net foreign direct investment
-$26.5M
1994
-$2.82B
2025
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$1.02B
2024
$1.61B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
$408M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
1.91%
2024
5.46%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
44.8%
2022
56.2%
2023
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
20.4%
2025
n/a

GDP per capita map

1x

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/chad/nigeria | CC BY

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  3. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  4. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  5. TradeMap (2020–2024, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  6. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1995–1998, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  7. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  8. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)

Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) — you’re free to copy, share, remix, adapt, and use even commercially as long as you give appropriate credit and clearly indicate if you made changes. Other sources may be subject to different license terms.

The current account balance is the sum of net trade in goods and services, net earnings from cross-border investments, and net transfer payments. It reflects a country's economic transactions with the rest of the world and is a fundamental component of the balance of payments. A surplus indicates that a country exports more than it imports, while a deficit shows the opposite.

Gross National Income (GNI) measures a country's total income. It encompasses income earned by residents, businesses, and foreign sources, defined as employee compensation and investment profits. GNI adds product taxes not included elsewhere and subtracts subsidies. It accounts for income from residents working abroad but excludes earnings from foreigners within the country.

A negative value for Net Foreign Direct Investment indicates a country is a net receiver of investments, as foreign inflows exceed outflows after Balance of Payments adjustments. A positive value indicates a net provider, with outflows exceeding inflows. Inflows are credits (increasing foreign claims on domestic assets), while outflows are debits (increasing domestic assets abroad).

Foreign direct investment (FDI, net inflows) shows how much capital foreign investors bring into a country after accounting for any funds that flow back in the opposite direction. It represents the net value of overseas companies establishing, expanding, or financing businesses in the reporting country. A positive number means more capital entered the country than was withdrawn, while a negative number means foreign investors pulled out more than they invested.

Foreign direct investment (FDI, net outflows) shows how much capital residents of a country invest abroad after accounting for any funds that flow back in the opposite direction. It represents the net value of domestic companies establishing, expanding, or financing businesses in other countries. A positive number means more capital was invested abroad than withdrawn, while a negative number means residents pulled back more than they invested.

Principal and interest payments to the IMF in currency, goods, or services on long-term debt expressed as a share of GNI.

Formerly gross domestic investment, gross capital formation measures the share of a country’s economic output invested in fixed assets, including buildings, machinery, and infrastructure. It indicates how much of the economy is devoted to building productive capacity.