Surviving on just 2,000 francs a day—that’s the grim reality for countless households in Chad. For a family of five or six, this translates to roughly 375 francs per person. What does this mean in practical terms for a typical household in N’Djamena? The pantry empties first of protein-rich foods, then vegetables, leaving families to consume whatever is available just to get by.

The silent crisis behind closed doors

For most Tchadians, this isn’t just about numbers on a page—it’s about survival. Balanced meals have become a luxury, and children grow up without the nutrition they desperately need. The sociologist Remadji Ngaba puts it bluntly: « Chad is suffering deeply. The average household’s basket is nearly empty. »

The pressure is immense, but so is the resilience. « To endure this, the Tchadian people have developed a mental strength rooted in survival. Without this psychological endurance, the situation would be unbearable, » he explains.

Who bears the heaviest burden?

When the cost of living spirals out of control, women feel it first. « She is the backbone of the household. When the economy falters, she feels the weight first—and when she struggles, the entire family suffers, » Ngaba emphasizes.

Men recognize this too. When wives return from the market complaining about soaring prices, it’s often dismissed as exaggeration. Yet the truth is far worse: the market has become a daily battleground. Despite periodic government interventions, prices keep climbing back to unsustainable levels. « After every supposed fix, everything resets—unchanged, » he laments.

The deeper roots of a national crisis

Chad boasts 33 million hectares of arable land across 1.284 million square kilometers. So why does hunger persist? The answer lies in systemic failures. Urban centers are hit hardest by inflated prices, but rural communities aren’t spared. Farmers and herders face relentless threats—livestock trampling crops, lack of legal recourse, and no safety net. Many abandon their land, yet « we cannot all live in N’Djamena, » Ngaba warns. « The capital isn’t secure either. »

The clashes between farmers and herders cripple local food production, which could otherwise stabilize urban market prices. « Both groups need protection—now, » he insists.

The SMIG dilemma: wages frozen in time

Since 2011, Chad’s minimum wage has remained locked at 60,000 francs CFA, while living costs have doubled. In N’Djamena, even a modest room now costs between 20,000 and 25,000 francs. Rent, utilities, and daily expenses swallow salaries whole, leaving little for essentials.

A roadmap for change

Ngaba proposes actionable solutions: subsidizing agricultural initiatives, maximizing water resources, and enforcing consistent market price monitoring. « They hunger too, » he tells leaders, urging them to do more. « They travel abroad, observe how other nations uplift their people’s daily lives—and Chad must do the same. »