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Economy of Chad vs United States compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Chad has a GDP of $19.5B compared to $28.8T for the United States, ranking 132/197 and 1/197 by economy size, respectively.

Chad has $6.37B in government debt (32.7% of GDP), compared to $35.2T (122.3% of GDP) in the United States.

Chad vs United States GDP by year

Chad
United States
1x
Year GDP, current $
Chad United States
2024 $19,518,819,751 $28,750,956,130,731
2023 $18,340,233,749 $27,292,170,793,214
2022 $17,828,508,290 $25,604,848,907,611
2021 $16,871,937,698 $23,315,080,560,000
2020 $14,932,897,821 $21,060,473,613,000
2019 $14,905,517,743 $21,380,976,119,000
2018 $15,327,000,249 $20,533,057,312,000
2017 $13,349,041,409 $19,477,336,549,000
2016 $13,026,289,836 $18,695,110,842,000
2015 $14,559,599,500 $18,206,020,741,000
2014 $18,144,336,904 $17,550,680,174,000
2013 $17,865,316,886 $16,843,190,993,000
2012 $17,892,228,570 $16,253,972,230,000
2011 $16,685,349,674 $15,599,728,123,000
2010 $14,058,506,664 $15,048,964,444,000
2009 $12,317,614,054 $14,478,064,934,000
2008 $13,385,593,990 $14,769,857,911,000
2007 $10,865,385,132 $14,474,226,905,000
2006 $9,709,626,596 $13,815,586,948,000
2005 $8,655,892,393 $13,039,199,193,000
2004 $4,422,855,661 $12,217,193,198,000
2003 $2,742,815,072 $11,456,442,041,000
2002 $1,997,005,709 $10,929,112,955,000
2001 $1,710,843,377 $10,581,929,774,000
2000 $1,388,506,772 $10,250,947,997,000
1999 $1,534,673,583 $9,631,174,489,000
1998 $1,744,794,531 $9,062,818,202,000
1997 $1,544,689,577 $8,577,554,457,000
1996 $1,607,345,356 $8,073,122,000,000
1995 $1,445,919,895 $7,639,749,000,000
1994 $1,179,837,963 $7,287,236,000,000
1993 $1,463,251,164 $6,858,559,000,000
1992 $1,881,847,670 $6,520,327,000,000
1991 $1,877,137,982 $6,158,129,000,000
1990 $1,738,605,558 $5,963,144,000,000
1989 $1,433,686,312 $5,641,580,000,000
1988 $1,482,597,298 $5,236,438,000,000
1987 $1,163,426,852 $4,855,215,000,000
1986 $1,067,828,246 $4,579,631,000,000
1985 $1,033,069,709 $4,338,979,000,000
1984 $919,103,735 $4,037,613,000,000
1983 $832,415,806 $3,634,038,000,000
1982 $834,369,860 $3,343,789,000,000
1981 $876,937,558 $3,207,041,000,000
1980 $1,033,002,404 $2,857,307,000,000
1979 $1,004,316,496 $2,627,333,000,000
1978 $1,113,920,124 $2,351,599,000,000
1977 $935,360,465 $2,081,826,000,000
1976 $866,044,962 $1,873,412,000,000
1975 $864,602,105 $1,684,904,000,000
1974 $652,532,795 $1,545,243,000,000
1973 $647,199,483 $1,425,376,000,000
1972 $585,427,547 $1,279,110,000,000
1971 $501,866,730 $1,164,850,000,000
1970 $469,266,737 $1,073,303,000,000
1969 $471,635,622 $1,017,438,172,414
1968 $453,980,096 $940,225,000,000
1967 $449,826,323 $859,620,034,483
1966 $432,794,922 $813,032,758,621
1965 $416,926,303 $741,904,862,069
1964 $392,247,518 $684,144,620,690
1963 $371,767,002 $637,058,551,724
1962 $357,635,713 $603,639,413,793
1961 $333,975,336 $561,940,310,345
1960 $313,582,728 $541,988,586,207

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/economy/chad/united-states | CC BY

GDP per capita in Chad vs United States by year

Chad
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
United States
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Chad United States
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $962 $2,743 $84,534 $85,810
2023 $949 $2,700 $81,490 $82,305
2022 $966 $2,624 $76,829 $77,861
2021 $946 $2,435 $70,249 $71,307
2020 $867 $2,186 $63,526 $64,402
2019 $893 $2,352 $65,120 $65,228
2018 $949 $2,228 $62,823 $62,876
2017 $854 $2,097 $59,908 $60,048
2016 $862 $2,120 $57,867 $57,977
2015 $994 $2,378 $56,763 $56,849
2014 $1,279 $2,133 $55,124 $55,153
2013 $1,305 $2,110 $53,291 $53,297
2012 $1,354 $2,435 $51,784 $51,708
2011 $1,308 $2,388 $50,066 $50,025
2010 $1,142 $2,320 $48,651 $48,643
2009 $1,036 $2,087 $47,195 $47,195
2008 $1,166 $2,181 $48,570 $48,570
2007 $980 $2,149 $48,050 $48,050
2006 $907 $2,079 $46,302 $46,302
2005 $838 $2,102 $44,123 $44,123
2004 $446 $1,808 $41,725 $41,725
2003 $289.1 $1,378 $39,490 $39,490
2002 $219.1 $1,226 $37,998 $37,998
2001 $194.3 $1,152 $37,134 $37,134
2000 $163.1 $1,044 $36,330 $36,330
1999 $186.6 $1,066 $34,484 $34,515
1998 $219.8 $1,096 $32,823 $32,854
1997 $201.4 $1,049 $31,430 $31,459
1996 $216.9 $1,010 $29,937 $29,968
1995 $204 $1,014 $28,661 $28,691
1994 $173.9 $1,026 $27,662 $27,695
1993 $220.7 $933 $26,353 $26,387
1992 $290.6 $1,107 $25,381 $25,419
1991 $302 $1,046 $24,293 $24,342
1990 $290.6 $967 $23,840 $23,889
1989 $246.4 - $22,857 -
1988 $263.5 - $21,417 -
1987 $213.9 - $20,039 -
1986 $203.4 - $19,071 -
1985 $202.7 - $18,237 -
1984 $182.2 - $17,121 -
1983 $167.2 - $15,544 -
1982 $176.1 - $14,434 -
1981 $194 - $13,976 -
1980 $228.8 - $12,613 -
1979 $222.9 - $11,674 -
1978 $252.5 - $10,565 -
1977 $215.9 - $9,453 -
1976 $203.7 - $8,592 -
1975 $207.5 - $7,801 -
1974 $160 - $7,226 -
1973 $162.4 - $6,726 -
1972 $150.4 - $6,094 -
1971 $131.8 - $5,609 -
1970 $125.9 - $5,234 -
1969 $129.2 - $5,020 -
1968 $126.9 - $4,685 -
1967 $128.2 - $4,326 -
1966 $125.8 - $4,136 -
1965 $123.6 - $3,818 -
1964 $118.6 - $3,565 -
1963 $114.7 - $3,366 -
1962 $112.6 - $3,236 -
1961 $107.3 - $3,059 -
1960 $102.8 - $3,000 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06); U.S. Census Bureau (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/chad/united-states | CC BY

Chad's GDP per capita is $962, ranking 182/197, compared to $84,534 in the United States, ranking 10/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Chad ranks 182nd at $2,743, while the United States ranks 12th at $85,810.

Economic indicators

Chad United States
Gross domestic product
$19.5B
2024
$28.8T
2024
GDP rank
132/197
2024
1/197
2024
GDP growth
4.2%
2023-2024
2.79%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$962
2024
$84,534
2024
GDP per capita rank
182/197
2024
10/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$2,743
2024
$85,810
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
182/197
2024
12/197
2024
Government debt
$6.37B
2024
$35.2T
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
32.7%
2024
122.3%
2024
Government debt per person
$314
2024
$103,404
2024
Government debt per person rank
177/185
2024
2/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,276
2026
$53,202
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$62.2T
2024
Number of millionaires n/a
23,831,000
2025
Number of billionaires n/a
902
2025
Income share by richest 10%
29.5%
2022
30.4%
2023
Income share by poorest 10%
2.8%
2022
1.8%
2023
Government expenditure, % of GDP
18.8%
2024
37.9%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
5.1%
2023-2024
2.95%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate n/a
3.75%
2025
Unemployment rate
1.14%
2018
4.02%
2024
Population
21893857
344023146

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Chad
Spending

Debt
United States
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Chad United States
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 18.8% 32.7% 37.9% 122.3%
2023 17.1% 32.2% 37.7% 119.8%
2022 12.6% 32.1% 36.8% 119.1%
2021 13% 41.6% 43.2% 125%
2020 14.1% 41.7% 44.7% 132.5%
2019 10.6% 38.4% 35.8% 108.8%
2018 9.73% 33.8% 35.3% 107.6%
2017 11.3% 39.2% 35.2% 106.4%
2016 11.2% 40.1% 35.3% 107.4%
2015 13.8% 31.3% 35% 105.4%
2014 16.9% 29.4% 35.3% 104.9%
2013 16.6% 22.3% 35.8% 105%
2012 16.6% 20% 37.2% 103.7%
2011 16.3% 22.3% 38.8% 100%
2010 18.5% 22.9% 39.8% 95.6%
2009 19.8% 23.9% 41.4% 87.1%
2008 14.6% 15.7% 37.1% 73.8%
2007 13.6% 17.6% 34.6% 64.9%
2006 10.7% 20.1% 33.7% 64.5%
2005 8.87% 22% 33.9% 65.8%
2004 9.84% 25.2% 33.7% 66.4%
2003 14.9% 34.4% 34% 59%
2002 13.8% 42% 33.7% 55.9%
2001 12% 43.5% 32.8% 53.5%
2000 14% 52.4% 31.7% 54.5%
1999 12.9% 44.7% 32.2% 60.5%
1998 10.1% 34.7% 32.8% 64.2%
1997 12% 41.3% 33.7% 67.4%
1996 12% 40.5% 34.7% 69.9%
1995 12.3% 41.1% 35.5% 70.7%
1994 - - 35.5% 71.1%
1993 - - 36.4% 71.9%
1992 - - 36.7% 70.3%
1991 - - 35.7% 67.9%
1990 - - 34.5% 63.1%
1989 - - 33.7% 61.6%
1988 - - 33.7% 61.3%
1987 - - 34.3% 60.6%
1986 - - 34.8% 58.9%
1985 - - 34.5% 55.4%
1984 - - 34.3% 50.6%
1983 - - 35.7% 48.9%
1982 - - 35.8% 45.9%
1981 - - 33.9% 41.1%
1980 - - 33.7% 41.9%
1979 - - 32% 41.2%
1978 - - 32.6% 42.5%
1977 - - 33.4% 43.6%
1976 - - 34.2% 44.8%
1975 - - 35.2% 44.6%
1974 - - 32.9% 41.4%
1973 - - 31.9% 42.6%
1972 - - 32.8% 45.4%
1971 - - 32.3% 47%
1970 - - 31.5% 46.4%
1969 - - 29.3% 45.9%
1968 - - 29.1% 48.5%
1967 - - 28.3% 50.4%
1966 - - 26.3% 50.6%
1965 - - 25.4% 53.7%
1964 - - 25.6% 56.7%
1963 - - 26% 58.8%
1962 - - 26% 60.2%
1961 - - 25.9% 62.3%
1960 - - 24.9% 61.7%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1995–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–2000, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/chad/united-states | CC BY

In 2024, Chad's government spending was $3.67B, accounting for 18.8% of its GDP, while the United States spent $10.9T, or 37.9% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 32.7% in Chad and 122.3% in the United States, ranking 151/185 and 12/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Chad

United States
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Chad United States
2024 -2.11% -8.03%
2023 -1.26% -7.8%
2022 3.79% -3.72%
2021 -1.29% -11.4%
2020 1.24% -14.1%
2019 -0.11% -5.81%
2018 1.39% -5.33%
2017 -0.18% -4.79%
2016 -1.51% -4.36%
2015 -3.29% -3.53%
2014 -3.22% -4.03%
2013 -1.5% -4.56%
2012 0.33% -8.11%
2011 1.75% -9.72%
2010 -3.16% -11%
2009 -8.44% -13.2%
2008 2.82% -6.61%
2007 2.02% -2.91%
2006 1.7% -2.04%
2005 -0.05% -3.07%
2004 -1.84% -4.24%
2003 -4.32% -4.77%
2002 -4.08% -3.82%
2001 -3.53% -0.54%
2000 -4.68% 3.62%
1999 -4.07% 2.71%
1998 -1.73% 2.18%
1997 -2.58% 0.88%
1996 -2.86% -0.46%
1995 -3.12% -1.7%
1994 - -2.05%
1993 - -3.35%
1992 - -3.98%
1991 - -2.72%
1990 - -1.64%
1989 - -0.8%
1988 - -1.06%
1987 - -1.53%
1986 - -2.81%
1985 - -2.63%
1984 - -2.97%
1983 - -4.26%
1982 - -3.78%
1981 - -1.58%
1980 - -2.17%
1979 - -0.79%
1978 - -1.7%
1977 - -2.57%
1976 - -3.63%
1975 - -5.4%
1974 - -1.27%
1973 - -0.86%
1972 - -1.86%
1971 - -2.63%
1970 - -1.21%
1969 - 2.11%
1968 - 1.23%
1967 - 0.47%
1966 - 2.07%
1965 - 2.38%
1964 - 2.18%
1963 - 2.87%
1962 - 2.32%
1961 - 2.28%
1960 - 3.2%
1959 - -9.06%
1958 - -8.68%
1957 - -6.72%
1956 - -6.02%
1955 - -7.4%
1954 - -5.55%
1953 - -5.76%
1952 - -5.41%
1951 - -6.93%
1950 - -8.22%
1949 - -7.94%
1948 - -4.16%
1947 - -3.99%
1946 - -6.45%
1945 - -14.1%
1944 - -13.4%
1943 - -19.3%
1942 - -16.3%
1941 - -10.2%
1940 - -9.73%
1939 - -11.9%
1938 - -10.4%
1937 - -9.22%
1936 - -12.1%
1935 - -13.3%
1934 - -14.9%
1933 - -14.3%
1932 - -12.7%
1931 - -9.76%
1930 - -5.46%
1929 - -4.58%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1929–2000, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1995–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/chad/united-states | CC BY

In 2024, Chad's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $412M, equivalent to 2.11% of GDP. This compares to the United States' deficit of $2.31T, or 8.03% of GDP.

Over the past 30 years, Chad recorded a fiscal deficit in 22 of those years, while the United States ran a deficit in 26 years. On average, Chad posted an annual deficit equal to 1.46% of GDP, compared to deficit of 4.68% of GDP for the United States.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Chad

United States
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Chad United States
2024 5.1% 2.95%
2023 2.3% 4.12%
2022 5.8% 8%
2021 -0.8% 4.7%
2020 4.5% 1.23%
2019 -1% 1.81%
2018 4% 2.44%
2017 -0.9% 2.13%
2016 -1.6% 1.26%
2015 4.8% 0.12%
2014 -5.5% 1.62%
2013 0.2% 1.46%
2012 7.5% 2.07%
2011 2% 3.16%
2010 -2.1% 1.64%
2009 10.1% -0.36%
2008 8.3% 3.84%
2007 -7.4% 2.85%
2006 9.6% 3.23%
2005 4.4% 3.39%
2004 -4.8% 2.68%
2003 -1.8% 2.27%
2002 5.2% 1.59%
2001 12.4% 2.83%
2000 3.8% 3.38%
1999 -8.4% 2.19%
1998 4.3% 1.55%
1997 5.6% 2.34%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/economy/chad/united-states | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Chad has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.34%, compared with 2.52% in the United States. In 2024, inflation was 5.1% in Chad and 2.95% in the United States.

Top exports between countries

Chad
Export category Export value
Raw materials & minerals $78.5M
Raw agricultural goods $3.96M
Miscellaneous $156K
Machinery & equipment $79K
Precious metals & jewellery $43K
Chemicals & pharma $14K
Wood & paper products $10K
Textiles & consumer goods $8K
Metals $5K
United States
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $31M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $10.8M
Chemicals & pharma $10.6M
Metals $2.83M
Miscellaneous $1.71M
Textiles & consumer goods $1.71M
Raw agricultural goods $922K
Raw materials & minerals $253K
Wood & paper products $199K
Animal & marine products $169K

Balance of trade

Chad United States
Current account balance
-$37.7M
1994
-$1.19T
2024
Current account balance ranking
82/190
1994
190/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-3.2%
1994
-4.12%
2024
Goods imports
$212M
1994
$3.3T
2024
Goods exports
$135M
1994
$2.08T
2024
Service imports
$199M
1994
$841B
2024
Service exports
$54.8M
1994
$1.15T
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
18.1%
2024
14.3%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
29.8%
2024
11.1%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Chad United States
Economic freedom 51.2 72.8
Economic freedom ranking 154/197 27/197
Property rights 17.2 91.6
Government integrity 15.2 77.1
Judicial effectiveness 15 76.4
Tax burden 77.9 75.3
Government spending 92.2 57.9
Fiscal health 97.9 18.5
Business freedom 27.4 88.6
Labor freedom 53.7 76.3
Monetary freedom 71.6 84.2
Trade freedom 46.4 67.6
Investment freedom 60 80
Financial freedom 40 80

Economic freedom comparison by year

Chad
United States
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Chad United States
2026 51.2 72.8
2025 52.2 70.2
2024 51.4 70.1
2023 52 70.6
2022 49.8 72.1
2021 50.4 74.8
2020 50.2 76.6
2019 49.9 76.8
2018 49.3 75.7
2017 49 75.1
2016 46.3 75.4
2015 45.9 76.2
2014 44.5 75.5
2013 45.2 76
2012 44.8 76.3
2011 45.3 77.8
2010 47.5 78
2009 47.5 80.7
2008 47.8 81
2007 50.1 81.2
2006 50 81.2
2005 52.1 79.9
2004 53.1 78.7
2003 52.6 78.2
2002 49.2 78.4
2001 46.4 79.1
2000 46.8 76.4
1999 47.2 75.5
1998 46.6 75.4
1997 45.1 75.6
1996 - 76.7
1995 - 76.7

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09).

GeoRank.org/economy/chad/united-states | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Chad is 51.2, ranking 154/197, compared to 72.8 for the United States, ranking 27/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Chad United States
Services, % of GDP
29.8%
2024
79.7%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
28.7%
2024
17.3%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
37.7%
2024
0.85%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$19.1B
2024
$28.4T
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$2,710
2024
$85,980
2024
Total reserves including gold
$1.05B
2023
$910B
2024
Total reserves ranking
140/177
2023
3/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$26.5M
1994
$25.1B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$1.02B
2024
$297B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
$322B
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
1.9%
2024
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
44.8%
2022
15.1%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
26.8%
2024
21.8%
2024

GDP per capita map

1x

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06); U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/chad/united-states | CC BY

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1929–2000, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  3. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1995–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  4. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  5. U.S. Census Bureau (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  6. TradeMap (2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  7. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  8. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2025-10-14)
  9. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2020, retrieved 2026-02-20)

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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.