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Communications

Broadband - fixed subscriptions [time series]

total: 1,683,783 (2017 est.) | subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 10 (2017 est.)

Broadcast media [time series]

about 60 media outlets are recognized as national; the Ecuadorian Government controls 12 national outlets and multiple radio stations; there are multiple TV networks and many local channels, as well as more than 300 radio stations; many TV and radio stations are privately owned; broadcast media is required by law to give the government free airtime to broadcast programs produced by the state; the Ecuadorian Government is the biggest advertiser and grants advertising contracts to outlets that provide favorable coverage; a 2011 antimonopoly law and the 2013 Communication Law limit ownership and investment in the media by non-media businesses (2018)

Internet country code [time series]

.ec

Internet users [time series]

total: 8,693,739 (July 2016 est.) | percent of population: 54.1% (July 2016 est.)

Telecommunication systems (Telephone system) [time series]

general assessment: fixed-line service and sophisticated 4G LTE ultra-broadband network; much of the country's fixed-line structure is influenced by topographical challenges associated with the Andes Mountains; Ecuador has a small telecom market with a dominant mobile sector; the state-owned incumbent CNT dominates the fixed-line market, and therefore the DSL broadband market aswell (2018) | domestic: fixed-line services with digital networks provided by multiple telecommunications operators; fixed-line teledensity stands at about 15 per 100 persons; mobile-cellular use has surged and subscribership has reached 85 per 100 persons (2018) | 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; in 2017, Alcatel completed a 6000km, submarine-cable system from Sarasota, Florida to Manta, Ecuador; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) (2018)

Telephones - fixed lines [time series]

total subscriptions: 2,415,204 (2017 est.) | subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 15 (2017 est.)

Telephones - mobile cellular [time series]

total subscriptions: 13,881,562 (2017 est.) | subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 85 (2017 est.)

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: 33.43 billion (2017 est.) | expenditures: 38.08 billion (2017 est.)

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

-4.5% (of GDP) (2017 est.)

Central bank discount rate [time series]

8.17% (31 December 2011) | 8.68% (31 December 2010)

Commercial bank prime lending rate [time series]

7.92% (31 December 2017 est.) | 8.69% (31 December 2016 est.)

Current account balance [time series]

-$349 million (2017 est.) | $1.442 billion (2016 est.)

Debt - external [time series]

$39.29 billion (31 December 2017 est.) | $38.14 billion (31 December 2016 est.)

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

45.9 (December 2017) | 48.5 (December 2017) | note: data are for urban households only

Economic overview (Economy - overview) [time series]

Ecuador is substantially dependent on its petroleum resources, which accounted for about a third of the country's export earnings in 2017. Remittances from overseas Ecuadorian are also important. In 1999/2000, Ecuador's economy suffered from a banking crisis that lead to some reforms, including adoption of the US dollar as legal tender. Dollarization stabilized the economy, and positive growth returned in most of the years that followed. China has become Ecuador's largest foreign lender since 2008 and now accounts for 77.7% of the Ecuador’s bilateral debt. Various economic policies under the CORREA administration, such as an announcement in 2017 that Ecuador would terminate 13 bilateral investment treaties - including one with the US, generated economic uncertainty and discouraged private investment. Faced with a 2013 trade deficit of $1.1 billion, Ecuador imposed tariff surcharges from 5% to 45% on an estimated 32% of imports. Ecuador’s economy fell into recession in 2015 and remained in recession in 2016. Declining oil prices and exports forced the CORREA administration to cut government oulays. Foreign investment in Ecuador is low as a result of the unstable regulatory environment and weak rule of law. n April of 2017, Lenin MORENO was elected President of Ecuador by popular vote. His immediate challenge was to reengage the private sector to improve cash flow in the country. Ecuador’s economy returned to positive, but sluggish, growth. In early 2018, the MORENO administration held a public referendum on seven economic and political issues in a move counter to CORREA-administration policies, reduce corruption, strengthen democracy, and revive employment and the economy. The referendum resulted in repeal of taxes associated with recovery from the earthquake of 2016, reduced restrictions on metal mining in the Yasuni Intangible Zone - a protected area, and several political reforms.

Exchange rates [time series]

the US dollar became Ecuador's currency in 2001

Exports [time series]

$19.62 billion (2017 est.) | $16.8 billion (2016 est.)

Exports - commodities [time series]

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

Exports - partners [time series]

US 31.5%, Vietnam 7.6%, Peru 6.7%, Chile 6.5%, Panama 4.9%, Russia 4.4%, China 4% (2017)

Fiscal year [time series]

calendar year

GDP (official exchange rate) [time series]

$104.3 billion (2017 est.) (2017 est.)

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

$193 billion (2017 est.) | $188.6 billion (2016 est.) | $190.9 billion (2015 est.) | note: data are in 2017 dollars

GDP - composition, by end use [time series]

household consumption: 60.7% (2017 est.) | government consumption: 14.4% (2017 est.) | investment in fixed capital: 24.3% (2017 est.) | investment in inventories: 1% (2017 est.) | exports of goods and services: 20.8% (2017 est.) | imports of goods and services: -21.3% (2017 est.)

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

agriculture: 6.7% (2017 est.) | industry: 32.9% (2017 est.) | services: 60.4% (2017 est.)

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

$11,500 (2017 est.) | $11,400 (2016 est.) | $11,700 (2015 est.) | note: data are in 2017 dollars

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

2.4% (2017 est.) | -1.2% (2016 est.) | 0.1% (2015 est.)

Gross national saving [time series]

25.9% of GDP (2017 est.) | 26.4% of GDP (2016 est.) | 24.7% of GDP (2015 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share [time series]

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

Imports [time series]

$19.31 billion (2017 est.) | $15.86 billion (2016 est.)

Imports - commodities [time series]

industrial materials, fuels and lubricants, nondurable consumer goods

Imports - partners [time series]

US 22.8%, China 15.4%, Colombia 8.7%, Panama 6.4%, Brazil 4.4%, Peru 4.2% (2017)

Industrial production growth rate [time series]

-0.6% (2017 est.) | note: excludes oil refining

Industries [time series]

petroleum, food processing, textiles, wood products, chemicals

Inflation rate (consumer prices) [time series]

0.4% (2017 est.) | 1.7% (2016 est.)

Labor force [time series]

8.086 million (2017 est.)

Labor force - by occupation [time series]

agriculture: 26.1% | industry: 18.4% | services: 55.5% (2017 est.)

Market value of publicly traded shares [time series]

$6.838 billion (31 December 2017 est.) | $6.065 billion (31 December 2016 est.) | $6.615 billion (31 December 2015 est.)

Population below poverty line [time series]

21.5% (December 2017 est.)

Public debt [time series]

45.4% of GDP (2017 est.) | 43.2% of GDP (2016 est.)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold [time series]

$2.395 billion (31 December 2017 est.) | $4.259 billion (31 December 2016 est.)

Stock of broad money [time series]

$9.578 billion (31 December 2017 est.) | $9.281 billion (31 December 2016 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad [time series]

$6.33 billion (31 December 2012 est.)

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

$17.25 billion (31 December 2017 est.) | $16.63 billion (31 December 2016 est.)

Stock of domestic credit [time series]

$39.3 billion (31 December 2017 est.) | $35.56 billion (31 December 2016 est.)

Stock of narrow money [time series]

$9.578 billion (31 December 2017 est.) | $9.281 billion (31 December 2016 est.)

Taxes and other revenues [time series]

32% (of GDP) (2017 est.)

Unemployment rate [time series]

4.6% (2017 est.) | 5.2% (2016 est.)

Energy

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

37.54 million Mt (2017 est.)

Crude oil - exports [time series]

383,500 bbl/day (2017 est.)

Crude oil - imports [time series]

0 bbl/day (2015 est.)

Crude oil - production [time series]

531,300 bbl/day (2017 est.)

Crude oil - proved reserves [time series]

8.273 billion bbl (1 January 2018 est.)

Electricity - consumption [time series]

22.68 billion kWh (2016 est.)

Electricity - exports [time series]

211 million kWh (2015 est.)

Electricity - from fossil fuels [time series]

43% of total installed capacity (2016 est.)

Electricity - from hydroelectric plants [time series]

54% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)

Electricity - from nuclear fuels [time series]

0% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)

Electricity - from other renewable sources [time series]

2% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)

Electricity - imports [time series]

82 million kWh (2016 est.)

Electricity - installed generating capacity [time series]

8.192 million kW (2016 est.)

Electricity - production [time series]

26.5 billion kWh (2016 est.)

Electricity access [time series]

population without electricity: 500,000 (2013) | electrification - total population: 97% (2013) | electrification - urban areas: 100% (2013) | electrification - rural areas: 92% (2013)

Natural gas - consumption [time series]

453.1 million cu m (2017 est.)

Natural gas - exports [time series]

0 cu m (2017 est.)

Natural gas - imports [time series]

0 cu m (2017 est.)

Natural gas - production [time series]

477.8 million cu m (2017 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves [time series]

10.9 billion cu m (1 January 2018 est.)

Refined petroleum products - consumption [time series]

265,000 bbl/day (2016 est.)

Refined petroleum products - exports [time series]

25,870 bbl/day (2015 est.)

Refined petroleum products - imports [time series]

153,900 bbl/day (2015 est.)

Refined petroleum products - production [time series]

137,400 bbl/day (2015 est.)

Geography

Area [time series]

total: 283,561 sq km | 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 [time series]

mean elevation: 1,117 m | elevation extremes: 0 m lowest point: Pacific Ocean | 6267 highest point: Chimborazo note: because the earth is not a perfect sphere and has an equatorial bulge, the highest point on the planet farthest 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

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]

15,000 sq km (2012)

Land boundaries [time series]

total: 2,237 km | border countries (2): Colombia 708 km, Peru 1529 km

Land use [time series]

agricultural land: 29.7% (2011 est.) | arable land: 4.7% (2011 est.) / permanent crops: 5.6% (2011 est.) / permanent pasture: 19.4% (2011 est.) | forest: 38.9% (2011 est.) | 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 | exclusive economic zone: 200 nm | continental shelf: 200 nm | note: Ecuador has declared its right to extend its continental shelf to 350nm measured from the baselines of the Galapagos Archipelago

Natural hazards [time series]

frequent earthquakes; landslides; volcanic activity; floods; periodic droughts volcanism: volcanic activity concentrated along the Andes Mountains; Sangay (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 (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

Population distribution [time series]

nearly half of the population is concentrated in the interior in the Andean intermontane basins and valleys, with large concentrations also found along the western coastal strip; the rainforests of the east remain sparsely populated

Terrain [time series]

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

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) | note: Ecuador has two time zones, including the Galapagos Islands (UTC-6)

Citizenship [time series]

citizenship by birth: yes | citizenship by descent only: yes | dual citizenship recognized: no | residency requirement for naturalization: 3 years

Constitution [time series]

history: many previous; latest approved 20 October 2008 (2018) | amendments: proposed by the president of the republic through a referendum, by public petition of at least 1% of registered voters, or by agreement of at least one-third of the National Assembly membership; passage requires two separate readings a year apart and approval by at least two-thirds majority vote of the Assembly, and approval by absolute majority in a referendum; amendments such as changes to the structure of the state, constraints on personal rights and guarantees, or constitutional amendment procedures are not allowed; amended 2011, 2015, last 2018; note - a 2015 constitutional amendment lifting presidential term limits was overturned by a February 2018 referendum (2018)

Country name [time series]

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

Diplomatic representation from the US [time series]

chief of mission: Ambassador Todd C. CHAPMAN (since 14 April 2016) | 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 Francisco Benjamin Esteban CARRION Mena (since 24 January 2018) | chancery: 2535 15th Street NW, Washington, DC 20009 | telephone: [1] (202) 234-7200 | FAX: [1] (202) 667-3482 | consulate(s) general: Atlanta, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, Minneapolis, New Haven (CT), New Orleans, New York, Newark (NJ), Phoenix, San Francisco

Executive branch [time series]

chief of state: President Lenin MORENO Garces (since 24 May 2017); Vice President Otto Ramon SONNENHOLZNER Sper (since 11 December 2018); note - Vice President Jorge GLAS Espinel (since 24 May 2013) was jailed for corruption and absent from office for more than 3 months, causing him to be constitutionally stripped of his office; Vice President Maria Alejandra VICUNA Munoz (since 6 January 2018) resigned from office 4 December 2018; president is both chief of state and head of government | head of government: President Lenin MORENO Garces (since 24 May 2017); Vice President Otto Ramon SONNENHOLZNER Sper (since 11 December 2018) | 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 19 February 2017 with a runoff on 2 April 2017 (next to be held in 2021) | election results: Lenin MORENO Garces elected president in second round; percent of vote - Lenin MORENO Garces (Alianza PAIS Movement) 51.1%, Guillermo LASSO (CREO) 48.9%

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 Colombia, 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]

presidential 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 courts: 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 19 February 2017 (next to be held in 2021) | election results: percent of vote by party - PAIS 39.1%, CREO-SUMA 20.1%, PSC 15.9%, ID 3.8%, MUPP 2.7%, other 10.7; seats by party - PAIS 74, CREO-SUMA 34, PSC 15, ID 4, MUPP 4, PSP 2, Fuerza Ecuador 1, independent 3; 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 [Lenin Voltaire MORENO Garces] Avanza Party or AVANZA [Ramiro GONZALEZ] Creating Opportunities Movement or CREO [Guillermo LASSO] Democratic Left or ID Forward Ecuador Movement [Alvaro NOBOA] Fuerza Ecuador [Abdala BUCARAM] (successor to Roldosist Party) Pachakutik Plurinational Unity Movement or MUPP [Marlon Rene SANTI Gualinga] Patriotic Society Party or PSP [Gilmar GUTIERREZ Borbua] Popular Democracy Movement or MPD [Luis VILLACIS] Social Christian Party or PSC [Pascual DEL CIOPPO] Socialist Party [Patricio ZABRANO] Society United for More Action or SUMA [Mauricio RODAS]

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 April 2017, and voters elected President Lenin MORENO. | ECUADOR SUMMARY: PDF

Military and Security

Maritime threats [time series]

the International Maritime Bureau continues to report the territorial and offshore waters as at risk for piracy and armed robbery against ships; vessels, including commercial shipping and pleasure craft, have been attacked and hijacked both at anchor and while underway; crews have been robbed and stores or cargoes stolen; after several years with no incidents, two attacks were reported in 2017

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]

1.7% of GDP (2017) | 2.21% of GDP (2016) | 2.44% of GDP (2015) | 2.72% of GDP (2014) | 2.88% of GDP (2013)

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, Ecuadorian birth requirement; 1-year service obligation (2012)

People and Society

Age structure [time series]

0-14 years: 26.64% (male 2,242,148 /female 2,153,776) | 15-24 years: 18.19% (male 1,526,300 /female 1,474,626) | 25-54 years: 39.82% (male 3,207,692 /female 3,362,464) | 55-64 years: 7.67% (male 615,769 /female 649,777) | 65 years and over: 7.67% (male 599,221 /female 666,729) (2018 est.) | population pyramid: The World Factbook Field Image Modal × South America :: Ecuador Print Image Description This is the population pyramid for Ecuador. A population pyramid illustrates the age and sex structure of a country's population and may provide insights about political and social stability, as well as economic development. The population is distributed along the horizontal axis, with males shown on the left and females on the right. The male and female populations are broken down into 5-year age groups represented as horizontal bars along the vertical axis, with the youngest age groups at the bottom and the oldest at the top. The shape of the population pyramid gradually evolves over time based on fertility, mortality, and international migration trends. For additional information, please see the entry for Population pyramid on the Definitions and Notes page under the References tab.

Birth rate [time series]

17.6 births/1,000 population (2018 est.)

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

5.1% (2014)

Contraceptive prevalence rate [time series]

80.1% (2007/12)

Death rate [time series]

5.1 deaths/1,000 population (2018 est.)

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

Drinking water source [time series]

Education expenditure (Education expenditures) [time series]

5% of GDP (2015)

Ethnic groups [time series]

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

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate [time series]

0.3% (2017 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths [time series]

<1000 (2017 est.)

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

36,000 (2017 est.)

Health expenditure (Health expenditures) [time series]

9.2% of GDP (2014)

Hospital bed density [time series]

1.5 beds/1,000 population (2013)

Infant mortality rate [time series]

total: 15.9 deaths/1,000 live births (2018 est.) | male: 18.8 deaths/1,000 live births (2018 est.) | female: 12.8 deaths/1,000 live births (2018 est.)

Languages [time series]

Spanish (Castilian) 93% (official), Quechua 4.1%, other indigenous 0.7%, foreign 2.2% (2010 est.) | 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)

Life expectancy at birth [time series]

total population: 77.1 years (2018 est.) | male: 74.2 years (2018 est.) | female: 80.3 years (2018 est.)

Literacy [time series]

definition: age 15 and over can read and write (2016 est.) | total population: 94.4% (2016 est.) | male: 95.4% (2016 est.) | female: 93.3% (2016 est.)

Major infectious diseases [time series]

degree of risk: high (2016) | food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever (2016) | vectorborne diseases: dengue fever and malaria (2016) | note: active local transmission of Zika virus by Aedes species mosquitoes has been identified in this country (as of August 2016); it poses an important risk (a large number of cases possible) among US citizens if bitten by an infective mosquito; other less common ways to get Zika are through sex, via blood transfusion, or during pregnancy, in which the pregnant woman passes Zika virus to her fetus

Major urban areas - population [time series]

2.899 million Guayaquil, 1.822 million QUITO (capital) (2018)

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

64 deaths/100,000 live births (2015 est.)

Median age [time series]

total: 28.1 years | male: 27.3 years | female: 28.8 years (2018 est.)

Nationality [time series]

noun: Ecuadorian(s) | adjective: Ecuadorian

Net migration rate [time series]

0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2017 est.)

Obesity - adult prevalence rate [time series]

19.9% (2016)

Physician density (Physicians density) [time series]

1.67 physicians/1,000 population (2011)

Population [time series]

16,498,502 (July 2018 est.)

Population distribution [time series]

Population growth rate [time series]

1.25% (2018 est.)

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% (2012 est.) | note: data represent persons at least 16 years of age from five Ecuadoran cities

Sanitation facility access [time series]

improved: urban: 87% of population (2015 est.) | rural: 80.7% of population (2015 est.) | total: 84.7% of population (2015 est.) | unimproved: urban: 13% of population (2015 est.) | rural: 19.3% of population (2015 est.) | total: 15.3% of population (2015 est.)

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

total: 15 years (2012) | male: 15 years (2012) | female: 16 years (2012)

Sex ratio [time series]

at birth: 1.04 male(s)/female (2017 est.) | 0-14 years: 1.04 male(s)/female (2017 est.) | 15-24 years: 1.03 male(s)/female (2017 est.) | 25-54 years: 0.95 male(s)/female (2017 est.) | 55-64 years: 0.96 male(s)/female (2017 est.) | 65 years and over: 0.91 male(s)/female (2017 est.) | total population: 0.99 male(s)/female (2017 est.)

Total fertility rate [time series]

2.15 children born/woman (2018 est.)

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

total: 8.4% (2017 est.) | male: 6.6% (2017 est.) | female: 11.4% (2017 est.)

Urbanization [time series]

urban population: 63.8% of total population (2018) | rate of urbanization: 1.66% annual rate of change (2015-20 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

Refugees and internally displaced persons [time series]

refugees (country of origin): 46,616 (Colombia) (2017), 106,215 (Venezuela) (economic and political crisis; includes Venezuelans who have claimed asylum or have received alternative legal stay) (2018) | IDPs: 1,708 (earthquake April 2016) (2017)

Transportation

Airports [time series]

432 (2013)

Airports - with paved runways [time series]

total: 104 (2017) | over 3,047 m: 4 (2017) | 2,438 to 3,047 m: 5 (2017) | 1,524 to 2,437 m: 18 (2017) | 914 to 1,523 m: 26 (2017) | under 914 m: 51 (2017)

Airports - with unpaved runways [time series]

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

Civil aircraft registration country code prefix [time series]

HC (2016)

Heliports [time series]

2 (2013)

Merchant marine [time series]

total: 138 (2017) | by type: general cargo 6, oil tanker 37, other 95 (2017)

National air transport system [time series]

number of registered air carriers: 7 (2015) | inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers: 35 (2015) | annual passenger traffic on registered air carriers: 5,762,485 (2015) | annual freight traffic on registered air carriers: 86,128,720 mt-km (2015)

Pipelines [time series]

485 km extra heavy crude, 123 km gas, 2131 km oil, 1526 km refined products (2017)

Ports (Ports and terminals) [time series]

major seaport(s): Esmeraldas, Manta, Puerto Bolivar | container port(s) (TEUs): Guayaquil (1,821,654) (2016) | river port(s): Guayaquil (Guayas)

Railways [time series]

total: 965 km (2017) | narrow gauge: 965 km 1.067-m gauge (2017) | note: passenger service limited to certain sections of track, mostly for tourist trains

Roadways [time series]

total: 43,670 km (2007) | paved: 6,472 km (2007) | unpaved: 37,198 km (2007)

Waterways [time series]

1,500 km (most inaccessible) (2012)