Chad's population see census as solution to make grievances heard

What the report says

France24 Africa reported that Chad has begun its third General Population and Housing Census, known as RGPH-3, after an official launch at the end of June. The exercise is the country’s first nationwide census since 2009 and is being watched closely by residents who see it as more than a head count. The report, issued on July 28, 2026, focused on Massaguet in western Chad.

According to the broadcaster, practical obstacles are already affecting the census on the ground. In remote areas, poor access is making it difficult for enumeration teams to reach all households. Some people are therefore going to nearby towns themselves so they can be registered, underlining both the demand to be counted and the challenge of covering communities across hard-to-reach terrain.

France24 Africa said many residents also view the process as a chance to signal problems with public services to the government. The report frames the census as an opportunity for communities to make unmet needs more visible, especially in places where residents may feel overlooked by central authorities.

More broadly, population and housing censuses are used by governments and development partners to guide planning for services such as schools, health facilities, roads and water access. In Chad’s case, the long gap since the last national count means the new data could be important for understanding demographic changes and informing public policy, provided census teams are able to reach enough households and produce reliable results.