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Communications

Broadcast media [time series]

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 [time series]

total: 5.9 million | percent of population: 37.6% (2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 59

Broadcast media (Radio broadcast stations) [time series]

AM 392, FM 35, shortwave 29 (2001)

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) (2011)

Telephones - fixed lines [time series]

total subscriptions: 2.44 million | subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 16 (2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 55

Telephones - mobile cellular [time series]

total: 16.6 million | subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 106 (2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 65

Broadcast media (Television broadcast stations) [time series]

7 (plus 14 repeaters) (2000)

Economy

Agricultural products (Agriculture - products) [time series]

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

Budget [time series]

revenues: $39.5 billion | expenditures: $44.7 billion (2014 est.)

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

-5.2% of GDP (2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 170

Central bank discount rate [time series]

8.17% (31 December 2011) | 8.68% (31 December 2010) | country comparison to the world: 35

Commercial bank prime lending rate [time series]

8.5% (31 December 2014 est.) | 8.17% (31 December 2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 108

Current account balance [time series]

-$840 million (2014 est.) | -$1.29 billion (2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 53

Debt - external [time series]

$21.74 billion (31 December 2014 est.) | $19.23 billion (31 December 2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 83

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

48.5 (December 2013) | 50.5 (December 2010) | note: data are for urban households | country comparison to the world: 23

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 25% 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 4.3% per year, the highest five-year average in 25 years. After moderate growth in 2007, the economy reached a growth rate of 6.4% in 2008, buoyed by high global petroleum prices and increased public sector investment. President Rafael CORREA Delgado, 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. China has become Ecuador's largest foreign lender since Quito defaulted in 2008, allowing the government to maintain a high rate of social spending; Ecuador contracted with the Chinese government for more than $9.9 billion in forward oil sales, project financing, and budget support loans as of December 2013. | Foreign investment levels in Ecuador continue to be the lowest in the region as a result of an unstable regulatory environment, weak rule of law, and the crowding-out effect of public investments. In 2014, oil output increased slightly and production is expected to remain steady in 2015, although prices will likely remain lower than in previous years. Faced with a 2013 trade deficit of $1.1 billion, Ecuador erected technical barriers to trade in December 2013, causing tensions with its largest trading partners. Ecuador also decriminalized intellectual property rights violations in February 2014. In March, 2015 Ecuador imposed tariff surcharges from 5%-45% on an estimated 32% of imports for 15 months.

Exchange rates [time series]

the US dollar became Ecuador's currency in 2001

Exports [time series]

$27.33 billion (2014 est.) | $25.69 billion (2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 69

Exports - commodities [time series]

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

Exports - partners [time series]

US 44.6%, Chile 9.9%, Peru 7.5% (2013)

Fiscal year [time series]

calendar year

GDP (official exchange rate) [time series]

$100.8 billion (2014 est.)

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

$180.2 billion (2014 est.) | $173.9 billion (2013 est.) | $166.2 billion (2012 est.) | note: data are in 2014 US dollars | country comparison to the world: 64

GDP - composition, by end use [time series]

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

agriculture: 6% | industry: 34.4% | services: 59.6% (2014 est.)

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

$11,200 (2014 est.) | $10,800 (2013 est.) | $10,400 (2012 est.) | note: data are in 2014 US dollars | country comparison to the world: 123

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

3.6% (2014 est.) | 4.6% (2013 est.) | 5.2% (2012 est.) | country comparison to the world: 72

Gross national saving [time series]

27.2% of GDP (2014 est.) | 27.7% of GDP (2013 est.) | 27.6% of GDP (2012 est.) | country comparison to the world: 37

Household income or consumption by percentage share [time series]

lowest 10%: 1.4% | highest 10%: 35.4% | note: data for urban households only (2012 est.)

Imports [time series]

$26.4 billion (2014 est.) | $26.33 billion (2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 71

Imports - commodities [time series]

industrial materials, fuels and lubricants, nondurable consumer goods

Imports - partners [time series]

US 29.2%, China 12.9%, Colombia 8.5%, Panama 6.8%, Peru 4.1% (2013)

Industrial production growth rate [time series]

4% | note: excludes oil refining (2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 73

Industries [time series]

petroleum, food processing, textiles, wood products, chemicals

Inflation rate (consumer prices) [time series]

3.6% (2014 est.) | 2.7% (2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 148

Labor force [time series]

7.214 million (2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 65

Labor force - by occupation [time series]

agriculture: 27.8% | industry: 17.8% | services: 54.4% (2012 est.)

Market value of publicly traded shares [time series]

$5.911 billion (31 December 2012 est.) | $5.779 billion (31 December 2011) | $5.263 billion (31 December 2010 est.) | country comparison to the world: 85

Population below poverty line [time series]

25.6% (December 2013 est.)

Public debt [time series]

30% of GDP (2014 est.) | 23.1% of GDP (2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 127

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold [time series]

$6.811 billion (31 December 2014 est.) | $4.352 billion (31 December 2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 87

Stock of broad money [time series]

$34.53 billion (31 December 2014 est.) | $28.44 billion (31 December 2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 74

Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad [time series]

$6.33 billion (31 December 2012 est.) | $6.33 billion (31 December 2011 est.) | country comparison to the world: 63

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

$14.28 billion (31 December 2014 est.) | $13.68 billion (31 December 2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 85

Stock of domestic credit [time series]

$34.1 billion (31 December 2014 est.) | $28.01 billion (31 December 2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 71

Stock of narrow money [time series]

$10.81 billion (31 December 2014 est.) | $9.274 billion (31 December 2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 79

Taxes and other revenues [time series]

39.3% of GDP (2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 41

Unemployment rate [time series]

5% (2014 est.) | 4.7% (2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 50

Energy

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

37.23 million Mt (2012 est.) | country comparison to the world: 72

Crude oil - exports [time series]

413,000 bbl/day (2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 22

Crude oil - imports [time series]

154,000 bbl/day (2012 est.) | country comparison to the world: 39

Crude oil - production [time series]

527,200 bbl/day (2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 29

Crude oil - proved reserves [time series]

8.24 billion bbl (1 January 2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 19

Electricity - consumption [time series]

19.38 billion kWh (2011 est.) | country comparison to the world: 71

Electricity - exports [time series]

12 million kWh (2012 est.) | country comparison to the world: 93

Electricity - from fossil fuels [time series]

56% of total installed capacity (2011 est.) | country comparison to the world: 141

Electricity - from hydroelectric plants [time series]

42% of total installed capacity (2011 est.) | country comparison to the world: 55

Electricity - from nuclear fuels [time series]

0% of total installed capacity (2011 est.) | country comparison to the world: 80

Electricity - from other renewable sources [time series]

1.9% of total installed capacity (2011 est.) | country comparison to the world: 78

Electricity - imports [time series]

238 million kWh (2012 est.) | country comparison to the world: 89

Electricity - installed generating capacity [time series]

5.336 million kW (2011 est.) | country comparison to the world: 74

Electricity - production [time series]

22.85 billion kWh (2012 est.) | country comparison to the world: 72

Natural gas - consumption [time series]

517 million cu m (2012 est.) | country comparison to the world: 100

Natural gas - exports [time series]

0 cu m (2012 est.) | country comparison to the world: 89

Natural gas - imports [time series]

0 cu m (2012 est.) | country comparison to the world: 187

Natural gas - production [time series]

517 million cu m (2012 est.) | country comparison to the world: 69

Natural gas - proved reserves [time series]

6.003 billion cu m (1 January 2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 88

Refined petroleum products - consumption [time series]

255,000 bbl/day (2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 50

Refined petroleum products - exports [time series]

28,000 bbl/day (2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 69

Refined petroleum products - imports [time series]

135,500 bbl/day (2012 est.) | country comparison to the world: 40

Refined petroleum products - production [time series]

207,300 bbl/day (2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 54

Geography

Area [time series]

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

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: because 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: 9.92 cu km/yr (13%/6%/81%) | per capita: 716.1 cu m/yr (2005)

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]

8,534 sq km (2003)

Land boundaries [time series]

total: 2,237 km | border countries (2): Colombia 708 km, Peru 1,529 km

Land use [time series]

agricultural land: 29.7% | arable land 4.7%; permanent crops 5.6%; permanent pasture 19.4% | forest: 38.9% | other: 31.4% (2011 est.)

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]

424.4 cu km (2011)

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]

many previous; latest approved 20 October 2008; amended 2011 (2011)

Country name [time series]

conventional long form: Republic of Ecuador | conventional short form: Ecuador | local long form: Republica del Ecuador | local short form: Ecuador | note: the country's position on the globe, straddling the equator, accounts for its name

Diplomatic representation from the US [time series]

chief of mission: Ambassador Adam E. NAMM (since 26 April 2012) | 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 Jose Francisco BORJA Cevallos (since 18 May 2015) | chancery: 2535 15th Street NW, Washington, DC 20009 | telephone: [1] (202) 234-7200 | FAX: [1] (202) 667-3482 | consulate(s) general: Atlanta, Chicago, Houston, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Miami, Minneapolis, New Haven (CT), New Orleans, New York, Newark (NJ), Phoenix, San Francisco | consulate(s): Boston, Dallas, Denver (CO), San Juan (Puerto Rico)

Executive branch [time series]

chief of state: President Rafael CORREA Delgado (since 15 January 2007); Vice President Jorge GLAS Espinel (since 24 May 2013); note - the president is both chief of state and head of government | head of government: President Rafael CORREA Delgado (since 15 January 2007); Vice President Jorge GLAS Espinel (since 24 May 2013) | cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president | elections/appointments: president and vice president directly elected on the same ballot by absolute majority popular vote in 2 rounds if needed for a 4-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on 17 February 2013 (next to be held in 2017) | election results: President Rafael CORREA Delgado reelected president; percent of vote - Rafael CORREA Delgado (Alianza PAIS Movement) 57.2%, Guillermo LASSO (CREO) 22.7%, Lucio GUTIERREZ (PSP) 6.8%, Mauricio RODAS (SUMA) 3.9%, other 9.4%

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), ICCt, 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, Pacific Alliance (observer), PCA, SICA (observer), UN, UNAMID, UNASUR, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, Union Latina, UNISFA, UNMIL, UNMISS, UNOCI, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO

Judicial branch [time series]

highest court(s): National Court of Justice or Corte Nacional de Justicia (consists of 21 judges including the chief justice and organized into 5 specialized chambers); Constitutional Court or Corte Constitucional (consists of 9 judges) | judge selection and term of office: justices of National Court of Justice elected by the Judiciary Council, a 9-member independent body of law professionals; judges elected for 9-year, non-renewable terms, with one-third of the membership renewed every 3 years; Constitutional Court judges appointed by the executive, legislative, and Citizen Participation branches of government; judges appointed for 9-year non-renewable terms with one-third of the membership renewed every 3 years | subordinate courts: Fiscal Tribunal; Election Dispute Settlement Courts, provincial courts (one for each province); cantonal courts

Legal system [time series]

civil law based on the Chilean civil code with modifications; traditional law in indigenous communities

Legislative branch [time series]

description: unicameral National Assembly or Asamblea Nacional (137 seats; 116 members directly elected in single-seat constituencies by simple majority vote, 15 members directly elected in a single nationwide constituency by proportional representation vote, and 6 directly elected in multi-seat constituencies for Ecuadorians living abroad by simple majority vote; members serve 4-year terms) | elections: last held on 17 February 2013 (next to be held in 2017) | election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PAIS 100, CREO 11, PSC 6, AVANZA 5, MUPP 5, PSP 5, other 5; note - defections by members of National Assembly are commonplace, resulting in frequent changes in the numbers of seats held by the various parties

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; national colors: yellow, blue, red

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

Alianza PAIS movement [Rafael Vicente CORREA Delgado] | Avanza Party or AVANZA [Ramiro GONZALEZ] | Creating Opportunities Movement or CREO [Guillermo LASSO] | Institutional Renewal and National Action Party or PRIAN [Alvaro NOBOA] | Pachakutik Plurinational Unity Movement or MUPP [Rafael ANTUNI] | Patriotic Society Party or PSP [Lucio GUTIERREZ Borbua] | Popular Democracy Movement or MPD [Luis VILLACIS] | Roldosist Party or PRE | Social Christian Party or PSC [Pascual DEL CIOPPO] | Socialist Party [Fabian SOLANO] | Society United for More Action or SUMA [Mauricio RODAS] | 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 | National Teacher's Union or UNE [Mariana PALLASCO]

Suffrage [time series]

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

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 were held in February 2013, and voters reelected 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]

2.83% of GDP (2012) | 3.2% of GDP (2011) | 2.83% of GDP (2010) | country comparison to the world: 24

Military service age and obligation [time series]

18 years of age for selective conscript military service; conscription has been suspended; 18 years of age for voluntary military service; Air Force 18-22 years of age, Ecadorian birth requirement; 1-year service obligation (2012)

People and Society

Age structure [time series]

0-14 years: 27.99% (male 2,265,935/female 2,175,864) | 15-24 years: 18.56% (male 1,494,206/female 1,451,152) | 25-54 years: 39.16% (male 3,027,989/female 3,185,924) | 55-64 years: 7.23% (male 563,259/female 584,730) | 65 years and over: 7.05% (male 533,796/female 585,541) (2015 est.)

Birth rate [time series]

18.51 births/1,000 population (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 95

Child labor - children ages 5-14 [time series]

total number: 227,599 | percentage: 8% (2008 est.)

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

6.4% (2013) | country comparison to the world: 82

Death rate [time series]

5.06 deaths/1,000 population (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 186

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.

Dependency ratios [time series]

total dependency ratio: 55.6% | youth dependency ratio: 45.1% | elderly dependency ratio: 10.4% | potential support ratio: 9.6% (2015 est.)

Drinking water source [time series]

Education expenditure (Education expenditures) [time series]

4.4% of GDP (2012) | country comparison to the world: 94

Ethnic groups [time series]

mestizo (mixed Amerindian and white) 71.9%, Montubio 7.4%, Amerindian 7%, white 6.1%, Afroecuadorian 4.3%, mulato 1.9%, black 1%, other 0.4% (2010 est.)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate [time series]

0.41% (2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 72

HIV/AIDS - deaths [time series]

1,600 (2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 60

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

37,500 (2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 64

Health expenditure (Health expenditures) [time series]

7.5% of GDP (2013) | country comparison to the world: 98

Hospital bed density [time series]

1.6 beds/1,000 population (2011)

Infant mortality rate [time series]

total: 17.38 deaths/1,000 live births | male: 20.51 deaths/1,000 live births | female: 14.1 deaths/1,000 live births (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 98

Languages [time series]

Spanish (Castillian) 93% (official), Quechua 4.1%, other indigenous 0.7%, foreign 2.2% | note: (Quechua and Shuar are official languages of intercultural relations; other indigenous languages are in official use by indigenous peoples in the areas they inhabit) (2010 est.)

Life expectancy at birth [time series]

total population: 76.56 years | male: 73.6 years | female: 79.67 years (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 82

Literacy [time series]

definition: age 15 and over can read and write | total population: 94.5% | male: 95.4% | female: 93.5% (2015 est.)

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 (2013)

Major urban areas - population [time series]

Guayaquil 2.709 million; QUITO (capital) 1.726 million (2015)

Median age [time series]

total: 26.7 years | male: 26 years | female: 27.3 years (2014 est.)

Nationality [time series]

noun: Ecuadorian(s) | adjective: Ecuadorian

Net migration rate [time series]

0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 116

Obesity - adult prevalence rate [time series]

18% (2014) | country comparison to the world: 86

Physician density (Physicians density) [time series]

1.72 physicians/1,000 population (2011)

Population [time series]

15,868,396 (July 2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 68

Population growth rate [time series]

1.35% (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 88

Religions [time series]

Roman Catholic 74%, Evangelical 10.4%, Jehovah's Witness 1.2%, other 6.4% (includes Mormon Buddhist, Jewish, Spiritualist, Muslim, Hindu, indigenous religions, African American religions, Pentecostal), atheist 7.9%, agnostic 0.1% | note: data represents persons at least 16 years of age from five Ecuadoran cities (2012 est.)

Sanitation facility access [time series]

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

total: 14 years | male: 14 years | female: 14 years (2012)

Sex ratio [time series]

Total fertility rate [time series]

2.25 children born/woman (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 95

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

total: 11.1% | male: 9% | female: 15% (2011 est.) | country comparison to the world: 96

Urbanization [time series]

urban population: 63.7% of total population (2015) | rate of urbanization: 1.9% 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): 121,317 (Colombia) (2014)

Transportation

Airports [time series]

432 (2013) | country comparison to the world: 20

Airports - with paved runways [time series]

total: 104 | over 3,047 m: 4 | 2,438 to 3,047 m: 5 | 1,524 to 2,437 m: 18 | 914 to 1,523 m: 26 | under 914 m: 51 (2013)

Airports - with unpaved runways [time series]

total: 328 | 914 to 1,523 m: 37 | 291 (2013)

Heliports [time series]

2 (2013)

Merchant marine [time series]

total: 44 | 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) | country comparison to the world: 72

Pipelines [time series]

extra heavy crude 527 km; gas 71 km; oil 2,131 km; refined products 1,526 km (2013)

Ports (Ports and terminals) [time series]

major seaport(s): Esmeraldas, Manta, Puerto Bolivar | river port(s): Guayaquil (Guayas) | container port(s) (TEUs): Guayaquil (1,405,762)

Railways [time series]

total: 965 km | narrow gauge: 965 km 1.067-m gauge (2014) | country comparison to the world: 90

Roadways [time series]

total: 43,670 km | paved: 6,472 km | unpaved: 37,198 km (2007) | country comparison to the world: 83

Waterways [time series]

1,500 km (most inaccessible) (2012) | country comparison to the world: 52