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Communications

Broadcast media [time series]

Ecuador has multiple TV networks and many local channels, as well as more than 300 radio stations; many TV and radio stations are privately-owned; the government owns or controls 5 national TV stations and multiple radio stations; broadcast media required by law to give the government free air time to broadcast programs produced by the state (2007)

Internet country code [time series]

.ec

Internet users (Internet hosts) [time series]

170,538 (2012) country comparison to the world: 76

Internet users [time series]

3.352 million (2009) country comparison to the world: 64

Telecommunication systems (Telephone system) [time series]

general assessment: elementary fixed-line service, but increasingly sophisticated mobile-cellular network domestic: fixed-line services provided by multiple telecommunications operators; fixed-line teledensity stands at about 15 per 100 persons; mobile-cellular use has surged and subscribership has reached 100 per 100 persons international: country code - 593; landing points for the PAN-AM and South America-1 submarine cables that provide links to the west coast of South America, Panama, Colombia, Venezuela, and extending onward to Aruba and the US Virgin Islands in the Caribbean; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)

Telephones - fixed lines (Telephones - main lines in use) [time series]

2.211 million (2011) country comparison to the world: 56

Telephones - mobile cellular [time series]

15.333 million (2011) country comparison to the world: 54

Economy

Agricultural products (Agriculture - products) [time series]

bananas, coffee, cocoa, rice, potatoes, manioc (tapioca), plantains, sugarcane; cattle, sheep, pigs, beef, pork, dairy products; fish, shrimp; balsa wood

Budget [time series]

revenues: $31.5 billion expenditures: $32.8 billion (2012 est.)

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-) [time series]

-1.8% of GDP (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 72

Central bank discount rate [time series]

8.17% (31 December 2011) country comparison to the world: 32 8.68% (31 December 2010)

Commercial bank prime lending rate [time series]

8.7% (31 December 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 114 8.35% (31 December 2011 est.)

Current account balance [time series]

-$1.387 billion (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 123 -$221 million (2011 est.)

Debt - external [time series]

$20.03 billion (31 December 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 79 $18.62 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income (Distribution of family income - Gini index) [time series]

47.3 (June 2011) country comparison to the world: 30 50.5 (2006) note: data are for urban households

Economic overview (Economy - overview) [time series]

Ecuador is substantially dependent on its petroleum resources, which have accounted for more than half of the country's export earnings and approximately two-fifths of public sector revenues in recent years. In 1999/2000, Ecuador's economy suffered from a banking crisis, with GDP contracting by 5.3% and poverty increasing significantly. In March 2000, the Congress approved a series of structural reforms that also provided for the adoption of the US dollar as legal tender. Dollarization stabilized the economy, and positive growth returned in the years that followed, helped by high oil prices, remittances, and increased non-traditional exports. From 2002-06 the economy grew an average of 5.2% per year, the highest five-year average in 25 years. After moderate growth in 2007, the economy reached a growth rate of 7.2% in 2008, buoyed by high global petroleum prices and increased public sector investment. President Rafael CORREA, who took office in January 2007, defaulted in December 2008 on Ecuador's sovereign debt, which, with a total face value of approximately US$3.2 billion, represented about 30% of Ecuador's public external debt. In May 2009, Ecuador bought back 91% of its "defaulted" bonds via an international reverse auction. Economic policies under the CORREA administration - for example, an announcement in late 2009 of its intention to terminate 13 bilateral investment treaties, including one with the United States - have generated economic uncertainty and discouraged private investment. The Ecuadorian economy slowed to 0.4% growth in 2009 due to the global financial crisis and to the sharp decline in world oil prices and remittance flows. Growth picked up to a 3.6% rate in 2010 and 7.8% in 2011, before falling to 4% in 2012. China has become Ecuador's largest foreign bilateral lender since Quito defaulted in 2008, allowing the government to maintain a high rate of social spending; Quito owes the Chinese government more than $9 billion in oil for cash loans as of December 2012.

Exports [time series]

$23.77 billion (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 72 $23.08 billion (2011 est.)

Exports - commodities [time series]

petroleum, bananas, cut flowers, shrimp, cacao, coffee, wood, fish

Exports - partners [time series]

US 37.8%, Panama 9.9%, Peru 6.2%, Venezuela 5.2%, Chile 4.9%, Russia 4.6% (2011)

Fiscal year [time series]

calendar year

GDP (official exchange rate) [time series]

$70.84 billion (2012 est.)

Real GDP (purchasing power parity) (GDP (purchasing power parity)) [time series]

$134.7 billion (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 63 $129.5 billion (2011 est.) $120.1 billion (2010 est.) note: data are in 2012 US dollars

GDP - composition, by sector of origin (GDP - composition by sector) [time series]

agriculture: 6.4% industry: 36.1% services: 57.5% (2012 est.)

Real GDP per capita (GDP - per capita (PPP)) [time series]

$8,800 (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 121 $8,600 (2011 est.) $8,100 (2010 est.) note: data are in 2012 US dollars

Real GDP growth rate (GDP - real growth rate) [time series]

4% (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 84 7.8% (2011 est.) 3.6% (2010 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share [time series]

lowest 10%: 1.4% highest 10%: 38.3% note: data for urban households only (2010 est.)

Imports [time series]

$24.67 billion (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 68 $23.24 billion (2011 est.)

Imports - commodities [time series]

industrial materials, fuels and lubricants, nondurable consumer goods

Imports - partners [time series]

US 27.6%, China 10.1%, Colombia 9%, Panama 4.6%, Peru 4.5%, Brazil 4.3%, South Korea 4% (2011)

Industrial production growth rate [time series]

10.1% (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 12

Inflation rate (consumer prices) [time series]

5.3% (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 145 4.5% (2011 est.)

Investment (gross fixed) [time series]

24.6% of GDP (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 53

Labor force [time series]

4.769 million (2012 est.) (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 82

Labor force - by occupation [time series]

agriculture: 27.6% industry: 18.8% services: 53.6% (2010 est.)

Market value of publicly traded shares [time series]

$5.779 billion (31 December 2011) country comparison to the world: 81 $5.263 billion (31 December 2010) $4.248 billion (31 December 2009)

Population below poverty line [time series]

28.6% (December 2011)

Public debt [time series]

23.3% of GDP (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 122 21.7% of GDP (2011 est.)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold [time series]

$3.248 billion (31 December 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 106 $2.958 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

Stock of broad money [time series]

$26.55 billion (31 December 2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 79 $22.18 billion (31 December 2010 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad [time series]

$6.33 billion (31 December 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 61 $6.33 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - at home [time series]

$13.11 billion (31 December 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 79 $12.39 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

Stock of domestic credit [time series]

$22.4 billion (31 December 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 80 $20.05 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

Stock of narrow money [time series]

$7.701 billion (31 December 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 86 $6.943 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

Taxes and other revenues [time series]

44.5% of GDP (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 35

Unemployment rate [time series]

5.9% (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 57 6% (2011 est.)

Energy

Carbon dioxide emissions (Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy) [time series]

24.43 million Mt (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 79

Crude oil - exports [time series]

341,900 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 24

Crude oil - imports [time series]

0 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 179

Crude oil - production [time series]

500,700 bbl/day (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 30

Crude oil - proved reserves [time series]

6.573 billion bbl (1 January 2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 22

Electricity - consumption [time series]

14.92 billion kWh (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 76

Electricity - exports [time series]

14.1 million kWh (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 85

Electricity - from fossil fuels [time series]

56.2% of total installed capacity (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 145

Electricity - from hydroelectric plants [time series]

41.7% of total installed capacity (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 51

Electricity - from nuclear fuels [time series]

0% of total installed capacity (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 80

Electricity - from other renewable sources [time series]

2.1% of total installed capacity (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 57

Electricity - imports [time series]

1.3 billion kWh (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 55

Electricity - installed generating capacity [time series]

4.939 million kW (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 74

Electricity - production [time series]

16.88 billion kWh (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 76

Natural gas - consumption [time series]

330 million cu m (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 100

Natural gas - exports [time series]

0 cu m (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 189

Natural gas - imports [time series]

0 cu m (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 188

Natural gas - production [time series]

330 million cu m (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 74

Natural gas - proved reserves [time series]

7.985 billion cu m (1 January 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 83

Refined petroleum products - consumption [time series]

201,600 bbl/day (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 58

Refined petroleum products - exports [time series]

42,230 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 64

Refined petroleum products - imports [time series]

76,560 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 55

Refined petroleum products - production [time series]

174,900 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 58

Geography

Area [time series]

total: 283,561 sq km country comparison to the world: 74 land: 276,841 sq km water: 6,720 sq km note: includes Galapagos Islands

Area - comparative [time series]

slightly smaller than Nevada

Climate [time series]

tropical along coast, becoming cooler inland at higher elevations; tropical in Amazonian jungle lowlands

Coastline [time series]

2,237 km

Elevation (Elevation extremes) [time series]

lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: Chimborazo 6,267 m note: due to the fact that the earth is not a perfect sphere and has an equatorial bulge, the highest point on the planet furthest from its center is Mount Chimborazo not Mount Everest, which is merely the highest peak above sea-level

Environment - current issues [time series]

deforestation; soil erosion; desertification; water pollution; pollution from oil production wastes in ecologically sensitive areas of the Amazon Basin and Galapagos Islands

International environmental agreements (Environment - international agreements) [time series]

party to: Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Total water withdrawal (Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural)) [time series]

total: 16.98 cu km/yr (12%/5%/82%) per capita: 1,283 cu m/yr (2000)

Geographic coordinates [time series]

2 00 S, 77 30 W

Geography - note [time series]

Cotopaxi in Andes is highest active volcano in world

Irrigated land [time series]

8,650 sq km (2003)

Land boundaries [time series]

total: 2,010 km border countries: Colombia 590 km, Peru 1,420 km

Land use [time series]

arable land: 5.71% permanent crops: 4.81% other: 89.48% (2005)

Location [time series]

Western South America, bordering the Pacific Ocean at the Equator, between Colombia and Peru

Map references [time series]

South America

Maritime claims [time series]

territorial sea: 200 nm continental shelf: 100 nm from 2,500-m isobath

Natural hazards [time series]

frequent earthquakes; landslides; volcanic activity; floods; periodic droughts volcanism: volcanic activity concentrated along the Andes Mountains; Sangay (elev. 5,230 m), which erupted in 2010, is mainland Ecuador's most active volcano; other historically active volcanoes in the Andes include Antisana, Cayambe, Chacana, Cotopaxi, Guagua Pichincha, Reventador, Sumaco, and Tungurahua; Fernandina (elev. 1,476 m), a shield volcano that last erupted in 2009, is the most active of the many Galapagos volcanoes; other historically active Galapagos volcanoes include Wolf, Sierra Negra, Cerro Azul, Pinta, Marchena, and Santiago

Natural resources [time series]

petroleum, fish, timber, hydropower

Terrain [time series]

coastal plain (costa), inter-Andean central highlands (sierra), and flat to rolling eastern jungle (oriente)

Total renewable water resources [time series]

432 cu km (2000)

Government

Administrative divisions [time series]

24 provinces (provincias, singular - provincia); Azuay, Bolivar, Canar, Carchi, Chimborazo, Cotopaxi, El Oro, Esmeraldas, Galapagos, Guayas, Imbabura, Loja, Los Rios, Manabi, Morona-Santiago, Napo, Orellana, Pastaza, Pichincha, Santa Elena, Santo Domingo de los Tsachilas, Sucumbios, Tungurahua, Zamora-Chinchipe

Capital [time series]

name: Quito geographic coordinates: 0 13 S, 78 30 W time difference: UTC-5 (same time as Washington, DC during Standard Time)

Constitution [time series]

20 October 2008; this is Ecuador's 20th constitution

Country name [time series]

conventional long form: Republic of Ecuador conventional short form: Ecuador local long form: Republica del Ecuador local short form: Ecuador

Diplomatic representation from the US [time series]

chief of mission: Ambassador Adam NAMM embassy: Avenida Avigiras E12-170 y Avenida Eloy Alfaro, Quito mailing address: Avenida Guayacanes N52-205 y Avenida Avigiras telephone: [593] (2) 398-5000 FAX: [593] (2) 398-5100 consulate(s) general: Guayaquil

Diplomatic representation in the US [time series]

chief of mission: Ambassador Saskia Nathalie CELY Suarez chancery: 2535 15th Street NW, Washington, DC 20009 telephone: [1] (202) 234-7200 FAX: [1] (202) 667-3482 consulate(s) general: Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Houston, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Miami, Minneapolis, New Haven, New Orleans, New York, Newark (New Jersey), Phoenix, San Francisco, San Juan (Puerto Rico)

Executive branch [time series]

chief of state: President Rafael CORREA Delgado (since 15 January 2007); Vice President Lenin MORENO Garces (since 15 January 2007); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: President Rafael CORREA Delgado (since 15 January 2007); Vice President Lenin MORENO Garces (since 15 January 2007) cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president (For more information visit theWorld Leaders website) elections: the president and vice president elected on the same ticket by popular vote for a four-year term and can be re-elected for another consecutive term; election last held on 26 April 2009 (next to be held 17 February 2013) election results: President Rafael CORREA Delgado reelected president; percent of vote - Rafael CORREA Delgado 52%; Lucio GUTIERREZ 28.2%; Alvaro NOBOA 11.4%; other 8.4%

Flag (Flag description) [time series]

three horizontal bands of yellow (top, double width), blue, and red with the coat of arms superimposed at the center of the flag; the flag retains the three main colors of the banner of Gran Columbia, the South American republic that broke up in 1830; the yellow color represents sunshine, grain, and mineral wealth, blue the sky, sea, and rivers, and red the blood of patriots spilled in the struggle for freedom and justice note: similar to the flag of Colombia, which is shorter and does not bear a coat of arms

Government type [time series]

republic

Independence [time series]

24 May 1822 (from Spain)

International law organization participation [time series]

has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction

International organization participation [time series]

CAN, CD, CELAC, FAO, G-11, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), LAES, LAIA, Mercosur (associate), MIGA, MINUSTAH, NAM, OAS, OPANAL, OPCW, OPEC, PCA, UN, UNAMID, UNASUR, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, Union Latina, UNMIL, UNMISS, UNOCI, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO

Judicial branch [time series]

National Court of Justice or Corte Nacional de Justicia (according to the Constitution, justices are elected through a procedure overseen by the Judiciary Council); Constitutional Court or Corte Constitucional (Constitutional Court justices are appointed by a commission composed of two delegates each from the Executive, Legislative, and Transparency branches of government)

Legal system [time series]

civil law based on the Chilean civil code with modifications

Legislative branch [time series]

unicameral National Assembly or Asamblea Nacional (124 seats; members are elected through a party-list proportional representation system to serve four-year terms) elections: last held on 26 April 2009 (next to be held 17 February 2013) election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PAIS 59, PSP 19, PSC 11, PRIAN 7, MPD 5, PRE 3, other 20; note - defections by members of National Assembly are commonplace, resulting in frequent changes in the numbers of seats held by the various parties; as of 11 December 2012, the composition legislature is as follows: seats by party - PAIS 54, PSP 15, PRIAN 7, PSC 4, MPD 5, PRE 3, other 36

National anthem(s) (National anthem) [time series]

name: "Salve, Oh Patria!" (We Salute You Our Homeland) lyrics/music: Juan Leon MERA/Antonio NEUMANE note: adopted 1948; Juan Leon MERA wrote the lyrics in 1865; only the chorus and second verse are sung

National holiday [time series]

Independence Day (independence of Quito), 10 August (1809)

National symbol(s) [time series]

Andean condor

Political parties (Political parties and leaders) [time series]

Alianza PAIS movement [Rafael Vicente CORREA Delgado]; Breakaway Party [Martha ROLDOS]; Institutional Renewal and National Action Party or PRIAN [Alvaro NOBOA]; Pachakutik Plurinational Unity Movement - New Country or MUPP-NP [Rafael ANTUNI]; Patriotic Society Party or PSP [Lucio GUTIERREZ Borbua]; Popular Democratic Movement or MPD [Luis VILLACIS]; Roldosist Party or PRE [Abdala BUCARAM Pulley, director]; Social Christian Party or PSC [Pascual DEL CIOPPO]; Socialist Party; Warrior's Spirit Movement [Jaime NEBOT]

Political parties (Political pressure groups and leaders) [time series]

Confederation of Indigenous Nationalities of Ecuador or CONAIE [Humberto CHOLANGO]; Federation of Indigenous Evangelists of Ecuador or FEINE [Manuel CHUGCHILAN, president]; National Federation of Indigenous Afro-Ecuatorianos and Peasants or FENOCIN [Luis Alberto ANDRANGO Cadena, president]; National Teacher's Union or UNE [Mariana PALLASCO]

Suffrage [time series]

18-65 years of age, universal and compulsory; 16 and other eligible voters, optional

Introduction

Background [time series]

What is now Ecuador formed part of the northern Inca Empire until the Spanish conquest in 1533. Quito became a seat of Spanish colonial government in 1563 and part of the Viceroyalty of New Granada in 1717. The territories of the Viceroyalty - New Granada (Colombia), Venezuela, and Quito - gained their independence between 1819 and 1822 and formed a federation known as Gran Colombia. When Quito withdrew in 1830, the traditional name was changed in favor of the "Republic of the Equator." Between 1904 and 1942, Ecuador lost territories in a series of conflicts with its neighbors. A border war with Peru that flared in 1995 was resolved in 1999. Although Ecuador marked 30 years of civilian governance in 2004, the period was marred by political instability. Protests in Quito contributed to the mid-term ouster of three of Ecuador's last four democratically elected Presidents. In late 2008, voters approved a new constitution, Ecuador's 20th since gaining independence. General elections, under the new constitutional framework, were held in April 2009, and voters re-elected President Rafael CORREA.

Military

Manpower available for military service [time series]

males age 16-49: 3,728,906 females age 16-49: 3,844,918 (2010 est.)

Manpower fit for military service [time series]

males age 16-49: 2,834,213 females age 16-49: 3,269,535 (2010 est.)

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually [time series]

male: 152,593 female: 147,143 (2010 est.)

Military and security forces (Military branches) [time series]

Ecuadorian Armed Forces: Ecuadorian Land Force (Fuerza Terrestre Ecuatoriana, FTE), Ecuadorian Navy (Fuerza Naval del Ecuador (FNE), includes Naval Infantry, Naval Aviation, Coast Guard), Ecuadorian Air Force (Fuerza Aerea Ecuatoriana, FAE) (2012)

Military expenditures [time series]

0.9% of GDP (2009) country comparison to the world: 134

Military service age and obligation [time series]

20 years of age for selective conscript military service; Air Force 18-22 years of age, Ecadorian birth requirement; 12-month service obligation (2008)

People and Society

Age structure [time series]

0-14 years: 29.5% (male 2,293,743/ female 2,202,203) 15-64 years: 63.9% (male 4,797,316/ female 4,930,465) 65 years and over: 6.6% (male 479,718/ female 520,235) (2012 est.)

Birth rate [time series]

19.6 births/1,000 population (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 90

Children under the age of 5 years underweight [time series]

6.2% (2004) country comparison to the world: 76

Death rate [time series]

5.01 deaths/1,000 population (July 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 183

Demographic profile [time series]

Ecuador's high poverty and income inequality most affect indigenous, mixed race, and rural populations. The government has increased its social spending to ameliorate these problems, but critics question the efficiency and implementation of its national development plan. Nevertheless, the conditional cash transfer program, which requires participants' children to attend school and have medical check-ups, has helped improve educational attainment and healthcare among poor children. Ecuador is stalled at above replacement level fertility and the population most likely will keep growing rather than stabilize. An estimated 2 to 3 million Ecuadorians live abroad, but increased unemployment in key receiving countries - Spain, the United States, and Italy - is slowing emigration and increasing the likelihood of returnees to Ecuador. The first large-scale emigration of Ecuadorians occurred between 1980 and 2000, when an economic crisis drove Ecuadorians from southern provinces to New York City, where they had trade contacts. A second, nationwide wave of emigration in the late 1990s was caused by another economic downturn, political instability, and a currency crisis. Spain was the logical destination because of its shared language and the wide availability of low-skilled, informal jobs at a time when increased border surveillance made illegal migration to the US difficult. Ecuador has a small but growing immigrant population and is Latin America's top recipient of refugees; 98% are neighboring Colombians fleeing violence in their country.

Education expenditure (Education expenditures) [time series]

Ethnic groups [time series]

mestizo (mixed Amerindian and white) 65%, Amerindian 25%, Spanish and others 7%, black 3%

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate [time series]

0.4% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 74

HIV/AIDS - deaths [time series]

2,200 (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 54

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS [time series]

37,000 (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 63

Health expenditure (Health expenditures) [time series]

5% of GDP (2009) country comparison to the world: 140

Hospital bed density [time series]

1.5 beds/1,000 population (2008)

Infant mortality rate [time series]

total: 19.06 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 98 male: 22.37 deaths/1,000 live births female: 15.59 deaths/1,000 live births (2012 est.)

Languages [time series]

Spanish (official), indigenous (Quechua, Shuar)

Life expectancy at birth [time series]

total population: 75.94 years country comparison to the world: 84 male: 73 years female: 79.04 years (2012 est.)

Literacy [time series]

definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 91% male: 92.3% female: 89.7% (2001 census)

Major urban areas - population (Major cities - population) [time series]

Guayaquil 2.634 million; QUITO (capital) 1.801 million (2009)

Major infectious diseases [time series]

degree of risk: high food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever vectorborne diseases: dengue fever and malaria water contact disease: leptospirosis (2009)

Maternal mortality ratio (Maternal mortality rate) [time series]

110 deaths/100,000 live births (2010) country comparison to the world: 66

Median age [time series]

total: 26 years male: 25.4 years female: 26.6 years (2012 est.)

Nationality [time series]

noun: Ecuadorian(s) adjective: Ecuadorian

Net migration rate [time series]

-0.39 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 137

Physician density (Physicians density) [time series]

1.48 physicians/1,000 population (2000)

Population [time series]

15,223,680 (July 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 67

Population growth rate [time series]

1.419% (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 86

Religions [time series]

Roman Catholic 95%, other 5%

Sanitation facility access [time series]

improved: urban: 96% of population rural: 84% of population total: 92% of population unimproved: urban: 4% of population rural: 16% of population total: 8% of population

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education) [time series]

total: 14 years male: 13 years female: 14 years (2008)

Sex ratio [time series]

at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.97 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.92 male(s)/female total population: 0.99 male(s)/female (2011 est.)

Total fertility rate [time series]

2.38 children born/woman (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 95

Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24) (Unemployment, youth ages 15-24) [time series]

total: 14.1% country comparison to the world: 81 male: 11.7% female: 18.1% (2009)

Urbanization [time series]

urban population: 67% of total population (2010) rate of urbanization: 2% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

Transnational Issues

Disputes - international [time series]

organized illegal narcotics operations in Colombia penetrate across Ecuador's shared border, which thousands of Colombians also cross to escape the violence in their home country

Illicit drugs [time series]

significant transit country for cocaine originating in Colombia and Peru, with much of the US-bound cocaine passing through Ecuadorian Pacific waters; importer of precursor chemicals used in production of illicit narcotics; attractive location for cash-placement by drug traffickers laundering money because of dollarization and weak anti-money-laundering regime; increased activity on the northern frontier by trafficking groups and Colombian insurgents (2008)

Refugees and internally displaced persons [time series]

refugees (country of origin): 122,587 (Colombia) (2011)

Transportation

Airports [time series]

431 (2012) country comparison to the world: 20

Airports - with paved runways [time series]

total: 101 over 3,047 m: 3 2,438 to 3,047 m: 5 1,524 to 2,437 m: 18 914 to 1,523 m: 23 under 914 m: 52 (2012)

Airports - with unpaved runways [time series]

total: 330 914 to 1,523 m: 40 under 914 m: 290 (2012)

Heliports [time series]

2 (2012)

Merchant marine [time series]

total: 44 country comparison to the world: 72 by type: cargo 1, chemical tanker 4, liquefied gas 1, passenger 9, petroleum tanker 28, refrigerated cargo 1 registered in other countries: 4 (Panama 3, Peru 1) (2010)

Pipelines [time series]

extra heavy crude 434 km; gas 5 km; oil 1,378 km; refined products 1,262 km (2010)

Ports (Ports and terminals) [time series]

Esmeraldas, Guayaquil, Manta, Puerto Bolivar

Railways [time series]

total: 965 km country comparison to the world: 90 narrow gauge: 965 km 1.067-m gauge (2008)

Roadways [time series]

total: 43,670 km country comparison to the world: 84 paved: 6,472 km unpaved: 37,198 km (2006)

Waterways [time series]

1,500 km (most inaccessible) (2012) country comparison to the world: 53