Refugee population by country or territory of origin in Chad
Chad: Refugee population by country or territory of origin was 15,281 in 2025. ◆ Volatile
Refugee population by country or territory of origin in Chad, 1970–2025
Source: Our World in Data.
Analysis
The most recent figure for refugee population by country or territory of origin in Chad is 15,281, measured in 2025.
The figure is up 4.5% on the previous year and up 2.4% over ten years.
Over the whole period, refugee population by country or territory of origin in Chad peaked at 234,260 in 1981 and was at its lowest, 1,400, in 1971.
Chad ranks 54th of 205 countries on this measure, in the middle of the range.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Refugee population by country or territory of origin in Chad, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1970 | 1,900 | — |
| 1971 | 1,400 | -26.3% |
| 1972 | 1,500 | +7.1% |
| 1973 | 1,500 | +0.0% |
| 1979 | 10,000 | +566.7% |
| 1980 | 221,000 | +2110.0% |
| 1981 | 234,260 | +6.0% |
| 1982 | 17,010 | -92.7% |
| 1983 | 16,745 | -1.6% |
| 1984 | 181,346 | +983.0% |
| 1985 | 212,158 | +17.0% |
| 1986 | 170,078 | -19.8% |
| 1987 | 146,858 | -13.7% |
| 1988 | 130,790 | -10.9% |
| 1989 | 125,863 | -3.8% |
| 1990 | 184,804 | +46.8% |
| 1991 | 72,317 | -60.9% |
| 1992 | 66,378 | -8.2% |
| 1993 | 212,923 | +220.8% |
| 1994 | 211,968 | -0.4% |
| 1995 | 59,726 | -71.8% |
| 1996 | 58,443 | -2.1% |
| 1997 | 55,026 | -5.8% |
| 1998 | 61,294 | +11.4% |
| 1999 | 58,792 | -4.1% |
| 2000 | 54,955 | -6.5% |
| 2001 | 46,282 | -15.8% |
| 2002 | 47,340 | +2.3% |
| 2003 | 52,268 | +10.4% |
| 2004 | 52,645 | +0.7% |
| 2005 | 48,389 | -8.1% |
| 2006 | 36,286 | -25.0% |
| 2007 | 55,697 | +53.5% |
| 2008 | 55,083 | -1.1% |
| 2009 | 54,997 | -0.2% |
| 2010 | 53,713 | -2.3% |
| 2011 | 42,619 | -20.7% |
| 2012 | 39,674 | -6.9% |
| 2013 | 48,618 | +22.5% |
| 2014 | 48,236 | -0.8% |
| 2015 | 14,921 | -69.1% |
| 2016 | 14,176 | -5.0% |
| 2017 | 16,325 | +15.2% |
| 2018 | 10,895 | -33.3% |
| 2019 | 11,163 | +2.5% |
| 2020 | 10,388 | -6.9% |
| 2021 | 11,771 | +13.3% |
| 2022 | 12,811 | +8.8% |
| 2023 | 10,196 | -20.4% |
| 2024 | 14,617 | +43.4% |
| 2025 | 15,281 | +4.5% |
Chad compared with similar countries
- Chad's 15,281 is below the median for low income countries, which is 164,215, 9% of the median. (25 countries reporting)
- Chad's 15,281 is above the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 12,726, 1.2× the median. (48 countries reporting)
Biggest year-on-year movements
Years where Refugee population by country or territory of origin in Chad changed far more than this series normally does. A large move can be a real event or a change in how the figure was measured — the source note below says who published it.
| Year | Change | From | To |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | +2110.0% | 10,000 | 221,000 |
| 1984 | +983.0% | 16,745 | 181,346 |
| 1979 | +566.7% | 1,500 | 10,000 |
| 1993 | +220.8% | 66,378 | 212,923 |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1970s | 3,260 | 1,400 | 10,000 | 5 |
| 1980s | 145,611 | 16,745 | 234,260 | 10 |
| 1990s | 104,167 | 55,026 | 212,923 | 10 |
| 2000s | 50,394 | 36,286 | 55,697 | 10 |
| 2010s | 30,034 | 10,895 | 53,713 | 10 |
| 2020s | 12,511 | 10,196 | 15,281 | 6 |
Countries ranked near Chad
More population data for Chad
- Population regions with projections, annual growth rate 0.4609 % change on previous year (2100)
- Urban and rural population 2050, annual growth rate -0.608 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population long run with projections, annual growth rate 0.4609 % change on previous year (2100)
- Un population 2024 vs 2022, annual growth rate 0.4414 % change on previous year (2100)
- Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD) Table 05 - Demographic estimates 36,452 Persons (2050)
- Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD) Table 03 - Annual population 2.87 Percent per annum (2030)
- Projected population under age 5, annual growth rate -0.3799 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population growth rate 0.458 (2100)
- Population density 55.23 (2100)
- Projected population under age 5 5.48 million (2100)
Frequently asked questions
- What is refugee population by country or territory of origin in Chad?
- Refugee population by country or territory of origin in Chad was 15,281 in 2025, according to Our World in Data.
- What is the highest refugee population by country or territory of origin recorded in Chad?
- The highest recorded value was 234,260 in 1981.
- What is the lowest refugee population by country or territory of origin recorded in Chad?
- The lowest recorded value was 1,400 in 1971.
- How does Chad rank for refugee population by country or territory of origin?
- Chad ranks 54th out of 205 countries with data for 2025.
- Is refugee population by country or territory of origin rising or falling in Chad?
- Over the last ten years it is up 2.4%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Chad data come from?
- The figures come from Our World in Data, published as part of Refugee population by country or territory of origin. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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