Rising cost of living in Chad: economist urges regular market price monitoring
The harsh reality of daily survival in Chad is stark: 2,000 CFA francs is the meager budget many households cling to. For a family of five or six, this averages out to just 375 francs per person—a figure that paints a grim picture of daily life.
In ordinary Tchadian kitchens, this budget translates into stark choices. Protein-rich foods vanish first from plates, followed by vegetables. Families eat whatever they can find, just to get by. Nutrition becomes a luxury. Children grow up without the nutrients they need to thrive. Survival, not health, dictates the menu.
«Today, Chad is drowning in hardship. The average household basket is almost empty,» the sociologist points out. He highlights the incredible resilience of Tchadians: «In the face of such adversity, they’ve cultivated a mindset of endurance. Without this psychological strength, the situation would collapse entirely.»
The weight of this crisis falls heaviest on one group: women. «They shoulder the primary responsibility for the home,» he explains. «When prices spiral out of control, women feel the squeeze first. And when they suffer, the whole family suffers with them.»
Fathers notice the strain too. Wives returning from the market often voice frustration over climbing prices. Some dismiss these complaints as exaggeration—but the market has become a daily battleground. Authorities, he argues, have failed to enforce lasting price controls. Even short-term interventions fizzle out, leaving families to face the same burdens again and again.
Why Chad, rich in land, still struggles with hunger
Chad boasts around 33 million hectares of arable land, yet hunger persists. The cost-of-living crisis hits urban centers hardest, where nearly everything must be purchased. But rural communities aren’t spared. Farmers and herders face relentless threats: fields trampled by wandering livestock, failed harvests, and a justice system that offers little protection.
Under this pressure, many abandon the countryside. Yet, as the sociologist warns, «We cannot all live in N’Djamena. The capital isn’t safe.»
Farmers and herders need protection
The simmering conflicts between farmers and herders cripple local food production—a system that could, over time, ease urban market prices. «Both groups deserve protection,» he insists. «Only then can we rebuild trust and revive local agriculture.»
Another critical issue: the minimum wage, fixed at 60,000 CFA francs since 2011. Meanwhile, living costs have doubled. In N’Djamena, even a modest room costs between 20,000 and 25,000 francs. Rent, utilities, and other fixed expenses devour most of a worker’s salary.
To address the crisis, the sociologist proposes concrete solutions: subsidizing agricultural projects, investing in water resource management, and implementing regular market price monitoring.
«Our leaders hunger for progress too,» he reflects. «They travel, observe how other nations lift their people’s daily lives, and return home. The time for action is now.»
