Chad - Economic sectors

Agriculture is the backbone of Chad's economy. In 1998, the World Factbook estimated that agriculture, fishing, and herding accounted for nearly 40 percent of the GDP and occupied 80 percent of the workforce. Agriculture continues to dominate Chad's economy, accounting

for 44 percent of the GDP, but this figure alone does not convey the importance of agriculture and animal husbandry to the society. An estimated 85 percent of Chad's population relies primarily on these activities for its livelihood. In the agricultural sector, cotton accounts for half of Chad's export earnings and cattle provide most of the remainder. In addition, Chadians produce several crops and animals for their own consumption.

Chad has developed a small industrial sector that produces electricity, beverages, soap, oil, paint, and construction materials. Most of these goods are consumed domestically, while further industrial ventures have been impeded by high production costs and Chad's limited market. Industry accounted for 14 percent of GDP in 1998, according to the World Factbook. The petroleum sector is expected to grow dramatically in coming years as proven oil reserves of over 1 billion barrels are exploited in southern Chad.

The service sector is limited in size and in different services, although it accounted for 46 percent of GDP in 1998. According to the U.S. State Department's Country Commercial Guide , the banking sector had an estimated US$100 million in total deposits in 2000. The cost of credit is high, reflecting the risk to bankers. Medical services are rudimentary, limited by scarcities of human and material resources.