American Language 250

Standard American Almanac

World · permanent entity record · EC

Flag of Ecuador

Ecuador

Thirty-second orientation

Ecuador at a glance

Capital
Quito
CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · as of 2026-02-04
Population
18,289,896
World Bank, World Development Indicators · observation year 2025
Area
283,561 sq km
CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · as of 2026-02-04
Nationality / demonym
noun: Ecuadorian(s); adjective: Ecuadorian
CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · as of 2026-02-04
Government
presidential republic
CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · as of 2026-02-04
Languages
Spanish (Castilian; official) 98.6%, indigenous 3.9% (Quechua 3.2%, other indigenous 0.7%), foreign 2.8%, other 0.6% (includes Ecuadorian sign language) (2022 est.)
CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · as of 2026-02-04

Independently structured milestones · not a complete national history

Ecuador through time

  1. Admitted to the United Nations

    Ecuador became a member of the United Nations.

    United Nations, Member States · source checked 2026-09-04

Source history · changed fields only

Changes since the final CIA profile

FieldMaintained Almanac valueFinal CIA profile
Population18,289,896World Bank, World Development Indicators · observation year 2025total: 18,479,841 (2025 est.) male: 9,097,614 female: 9,382,227CIA World Factbook · as of 2026-01-20

A difference may reflect a newer observation, a revised estimate, or a different source definition. This table reports the values and dates; it does not manufacture a trend.

World Development Indicators · latest available observation

People, economy, and access

Observation years vary by measure. Each row identifies the series and year instead of presenting unlike dates as one current snapshot.

Gross domestic product
$130.3 billion
World Bank, World Development Indicators · indicator NY.GDP.MKTP.CD · observation year 2025 · dataset updated 2026-07-13World Development Indicators observation for 2025; indicator NY.GDP.MKTP.CD. Underlying providers: National statistical authorities, central banks, OECD national accounts, and World Bank staff estimates. Retrieved 2026-09-08.
Gross domestic product per person
$7,125
World Bank, World Development Indicators · indicator NY.GDP.PCAP.CD · observation year 2025 · dataset updated 2026-07-13World Development Indicators observation for 2025; indicator NY.GDP.PCAP.CD. Underlying providers: National statistical authorities, central banks, OECD national accounts, and World Bank staff estimates. Retrieved 2026-09-08.
Life expectancy at birth
77.6 years
World Bank, World Development Indicators · indicator SP.DYN.LE00.IN · observation year 2024 · dataset updated 2026-07-13World Development Indicators observation for 2024; indicator SP.DYN.LE00.IN. Underlying providers: UN Population Division, national statistical offices, and Eurostat. Retrieved 2026-09-08.
Urban population
63.4%
World Bank, World Development Indicators · indicator SP.URB.TOTL.IN.ZS · observation year 2025 · dataset updated 2026-07-13World Development Indicators observation for 2025; indicator SP.URB.TOTL.IN.ZS. Underlying providers: UN Population Division, World Urbanization Prospects. Retrieved 2026-09-08.
Access to electricity
98.5%
World Bank, World Development Indicators · indicator EG.ELC.ACCS.ZS · observation year 2024 · dataset updated 2026-07-13World Development Indicators observation for 2024; indicator EG.ELC.ACCS.ZS. Underlying providers: World Bank ESMAP, Tracking SDG 7. Retrieved 2026-09-08.
People using the internet
77.2%
World Bank, World Development Indicators · indicator IT.NET.USER.ZS · observation year 2024 · dataset updated 2026-07-13World Development Indicators observation for 2024; indicator IT.NET.USER.ZS. Underlying providers: International Telecommunication Union. Source footnote: Source and notes: Instituto Nacional de Estadistica y Censos, In the past 12 months. Retrieved 2026-09-08.

World Development Indicators data are provided under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0). The linked indicator metadata identifies the underlying statistical providers.

Maintained profile

Capital
Quito
CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · The nation set and displayed federal short name follow the current State Department independent-states register, dated August 11, 2026.
Area
283,561 sq km
CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · Final CIA source data preserved by a community mirror after the Factbook was retired; the mirror is not the issuing authority.
Population
18,289,896
World Bank, World Development Indicators · World Development Indicators observation for 2025; indicator SP.POP.TOTL. Underlying providers: UN Population Division, national statistical offices, and Eurostat. Retrieved 2026-09-08.
Currency
US dollar (USD)
CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · Currency label extracted from the Factbook exchange-rate field.
Languages
Spanish (Castilian; official) 98.6%, indigenous 3.9% (Quechua 3.2%, other indigenous 0.7%), foreign 2.8%, other 0.6% (includes Ecuadorian sign language) (2022 est.)
CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · Factbook language listing reproduced without inferring official status beyond the source wording.
Nationality / demonym
noun: Ecuadorian(s); adjective: Ecuadorian
CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · The source’s noun and adjective forms are retained. These are language labels, not evidence of any individual person’s citizenship.
Government
presidential republic
CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json ·
UN membership
1945-12-21
United Nations, Member States ·
Continent
South America
CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · Continental label standardized from the archived profile region “South America.”
Coastline
2,237 km
CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · Preserved final CIA profile; this field is a historical baseline, not a claim of current conditions.
Climate
tropical along coast, becoming cooler inland at higher elevations; tropical in Amazonian jungle lowlands
CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · Preserved final CIA profile; this field is a historical baseline, not a claim of current conditions.
Religions
Roman Catholic 68.2%, Protestant 19% (Evangelical 18.3%, Adventist 0.6%, other Protestant 0.2%), Jehovah's Witness 1.4%, other 2.3%, none 8.2% don't know/no response 1% (2023 est.)
CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · Preserved final CIA profile; this field is a historical baseline, not a claim of current conditions.
Flag colors
yellow, blue, red
CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · Colors extracted from the flag description in the preserved final CIA profile.
National symbol
Andean condor
CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · Preserved final CIA profile; this field is a historical baseline, not a claim of current conditions.
Highest point
Chimborazo · 20,561 ft (6,267 m)
CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · Preserved final CIA profile; this field is a historical baseline, not a claim of current conditions.
Lowest point
Pacific Ocean · 0 ft (0 m)
CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · Preserved final CIA profile; this field is a historical baseline, not a claim of current conditions.
NATO membership
Not a member
NATO, What is NATO? · Membership status is reported from the organization's current member list as of the stated date.
BRICS membership
Not a member
BRICS Brazil, About the BRICS · Membership status is reported from the organization's current member list as of the stated date.

Preserved public-domain record · not maintained current data

Final CIA World Factbook profile

This is the preserved historical baseline from the Factbook’s final public snapshot. It is presented as the CIA stated it, not as a current Standard American Almanac finding. Current, independently maintained facts appear above when available.

CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · profile updated · pinned source record · commit d81154954b8b

Introduction1 fields
Background
What is now Ecuador formed part of the northern Inca Empire until the Spanish conquest in 1533. Quito -- the traditional name for the area -- 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 to become an independent republic in 1830, the traditional name was changed to 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 has had nearly 50 years of civilian governance, the period has been marked by political instability.
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Geography18 fields
Location
Western South America, bordering the Pacific Ocean at the Equator, between Colombia and Peru
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Geographic coordinates
2 00 S, 77 30 W
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Map references
South America
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Area
total : 283,561 sq km land: 276,841 sq km water: 6,720 sq km note: includes Galapagos Islands
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Area - comparative
slightly smaller than Nevada
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Land boundaries
total: 2,237 km border countries (2): Colombia 708 km; Peru 1529 km
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Coastline
2,237 km
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Maritime claims
territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200 nm note: Ecuador has declared its right to extend its continental shelf to 350 nm, measured from the baselines of the Galapagos Archipelago
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Climate
tropical along coast, becoming cooler inland at higher elevations; tropical in Amazonian jungle lowlands
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Terrain
coastal plain (costa), inter-Andean central highlands (sierra), and flat to rolling eastern jungle (oriente)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Elevation
highest point: Chimborazo 6,267 lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m mean elevation: 1,117 m 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
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Natural resources
petroleum, fish, timber, hydropower
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Land use
agricultural land: 21.5% (2023 est.) arable land: 4.1% (2023 est.) permanent crops: 5.6% (2023 est.) permanent pasture: 11.8% (2023 est.) forest: 49.8% (2023 est.) other: 28.6% (2023 est.)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Irrigated land
12,520 sq km (2022)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Major watersheds (area sq km)
Atlantic Ocean drainage: Amazon (6,145,186 sq km)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Population distribution
nearly half of the population is concentrated in the interior, with large concentrations also found along the western coastal strip; the rainforests of the east remain sparsely populated
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Natural hazards
frequent earthquakes; landslides; volcanic activity; floods; periodic droughts volcanism: volcanic activity concentrated along the Andes Mountains; Sangay (5,230 m) 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, is the most active of the many Galapagos volcanoes; other historically active Galapagos volcanoes include Wolf, Sierra Negra, Cerro Azul, Pinta, Marchena, and Santiago
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Geography - note
Cotopaxi in the Andes is highest active volcano in world
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
People and Society35 fields
Population
total: 18,479,841 (2025 est.) male: 9,097,614 female: 9,382,227
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Nationality
noun: Ecuadorian(s) adjective: Ecuadorian
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Ethnic groups
Mestizo (mixed Indigenous and White) 77.5%, Montubio 7.7%, Indigenous 7.7%, White 2.2%, Afroecuadorian 2%, Mulatto 1.4%, Black 1.3%, other 0.1% (2022 est.)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Languages
Spanish (Castilian; official) 98.6%, indigenous 3.9% (Quechua 3.2%, other indigenous 0.7%), foreign 2.8%, other 0.6% (includes Ecuadorian sign language) (2022 est.) major-language sample(s): La Libreta Informativa del Mundo, la fuente indispensable de información básica. (Spanish) The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information. note 1: shares sum to more than 100% because some respondents gave more than one answer on the census note 2: Quechua and Shuar are official languages of intercultural relations; other indigenous languages are in official use by indigenous peoples in the areas they inhabit
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Religions
Roman Catholic 68.2%, Protestant 19% (Evangelical 18.3%, Adventist 0.6%, other Protestant 0.2%), Jehovah's Witness 1.4%, other 2.3%, none 8.2% don't know/no response 1% (2023 est.)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Age structure
0-14 years: 26.8% (male 2,505,729/female 2,395,198) 15-64 years: 64.1% (male 5,771,234/female 5,972,938) 65 years and over: 9.1% (2024 est.) (male 746,207/female 918,678)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Dependency ratios
total dependency ratio: 55.3 (2025 est.) youth dependency ratio: 41 (2025 est.) elderly dependency ratio: 14.3 (2025 est.) potential support ratio: 7 (2025 est.)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Median age
total: 28.2 years (2025 est.) male: 27 years female: 28.9 years
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Population growth rate
0.91% (2025 est.)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Birth rate
17.42 births/1,000 population (2025 est.)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Death rate
7.12 deaths/1,000 population (2025 est.)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Net migration rate
-1.23 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2025 est.)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Population distribution
nearly half of the population is concentrated in the interior, with large concentrations also found along the western coastal strip; the rainforests of the east remain sparsely populated
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Urbanization
urban population: 64.8% of total population (2023) rate of urbanization: 1.62% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Major urban areas - population
3.142 million Guayaquil, 1.957 million QUITO (capital) (2023)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Sex ratio
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.97 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.81 male(s)/female total population: 0.97 male(s)/female (2024 est.)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Maternal mortality ratio
55 deaths/100,000 live births (2023 est.)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Infant mortality rate
total: 11.2 deaths/1,000 live births (2025 est.) male: 12.2 deaths/1,000 live births female: 10.2 deaths/1,000 live births
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Life expectancy at birth
total population: 74.9 years (2024 est.) male: 69.7 years female: 80.4 years
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Total fertility rate
2.17 children born/woman (2025 est.)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Gross reproduction rate
1.06 (2025 est.)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Drinking water source
urban: 100% of population (2022 est.) rural: 87.9% of population (2022 est.) total: 95.7% of population (2022 est.) urban: 0% of population (2022 est.) rural: 12.1% of population (2022 est.) total: 4.3% of population (2022 est.)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Health expenditure
8.3% of GDP (2021) 11.9% of national budget (2022 est.)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Physician density
2.31 physicians/1,000 population (2020)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Hospital bed density
1.3 beds/1,000 population (2021 est.)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Sanitation facility access
urban: 100% of population (2022 est.) rural: 98.2% of population (2022 est.) total: 99.4% of population (2022 est.) urban: 0% of population (2022 est.) rural: 1.8% of population (2022 est.) total: 0.6% of population (2022 est.)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Obesity - adult prevalence rate
19.9% (2016)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Alcohol consumption per capita
total: 3.05 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.) beer: 2.32 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.) wine: 0.09 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.) spirits: 0.61 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.) other alcohols: 0.03 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Tobacco use
total: 9.7% (2025 est.) male: 17.2% (2025 est.) female: 2.4% (2025 est.)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Children under the age of 5 years underweight
4.9% (2024 est.)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Currently married women (ages 15-49)
45.3% (2022 est.)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Child marriage
women married by age 15: 3.8% (2018) women married by age 18: 22.2% (2018)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Education expenditure
3.9% of GDP (2023 est.) 15.5% national budget (2025 est.)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Literacy
total population: 96.3% (2022 est.) male: 96.8% (2022 est.) female: 95.7% (2022 est.)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)
total: 15 years (2022 est.) male: 14 years (2022 est.) female: 15 years (2022 est.)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Environment12 fields
Environmental issues
deforestation; soil erosion; desertification; water pollution; pollution from oil production wastes in areas of the Amazon Basin and Galapagos Islands
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
International environmental agreements
party to: Antarctic-Environmental Protection, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Climate Change-Paris Agreement, Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 2006, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Climate
tropical along coast, becoming cooler inland at higher elevations; tropical in Amazonian jungle lowlands
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Land use
agricultural land: 21.5% (2023 est.) arable land: 4.1% (2023 est.) permanent crops: 5.6% (2023 est.) permanent pasture: 11.8% (2023 est.) forest: 49.8% (2023 est.) other: 28.6% (2023 est.)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Urbanization
urban population: 64.8% of total population (2023) rate of urbanization: 1.62% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Carbon dioxide emissions
38.286 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.) from coal and metallurgical coke: 39,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.) from petroleum and other liquids: 37.711 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.) from consumed natural gas: 536,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Particulate matter emissions
17.3 micrograms per cubic meter (2019 est.)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Methane emissions
energy: 454.3 kt (2022-2024 est.) agriculture: 346.3 kt (2019-2021 est.) waste: 210.1 kt (2019-2021 est.) other: 2.6 kt (2019-2021 est.)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Waste and recycling
municipal solid waste generated annually: 5.297 million tons (2024 est.) percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 28% (2022 est.)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Total water withdrawal
municipal: 1.293 billion cubic meters (2022 est.) industrial: 549 million cubic meters (2022 est.) agricultural: 8.076 billion cubic meters (2022 est.)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Total renewable water resources
442.4 billion cubic meters (2022 est.)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Geoparks
total global geoparks and regional networks: 3 (2025) global geoparks and regional networks: Imbabura: Napo Sumaco; Tungurahua (2025)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Government23 fields
Country name
conventional long form: Republic of Ecuador conventional short form: Ecuador local long form: República del Ecuador local short form: Ecuador former: Quito etymology: the name is the Spanish word for "equator," referring to its geographic position
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Government type
presidential republic
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Capital
name: Quito geographic coordinates: 0 13 S, 78 30 W time difference: UTC-5 (same time as Washington, DC, during Standard Time) time zone note: Ecuador has two time zones, including the Galapagos Islands (UTC-6) etymology: named after the Quitu, a Pre-Columbian people who lived in the area; the meaning of their name is unknown
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Administrative divisions
24 provinces (provincias, singular - provincia); Azuay, Bolivar, Cañar, Carchi, Chimborazo, Cotopaxi, El Oro, Esmeraldas, Galapagos, Guayas, Imbabura, Loja, Los Rios, Manabí, Morona Santiago, Napo, Orellana, Pastaza, Pichincha, Santa Elena, Santo Domingo de los Tsachilas, Sucumbios, Tungurahua, Zamora Chinchipe
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Legal system
civil law based on the Chilean civil code with modifications; traditional law in ethnic communities
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Constitution
history: many previous; latest approved 20 October 2008 amendment process: 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 membership of the National Assembly; 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
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
International law organization participation
has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Citizenship
citizenship by birth: yes citizenship by descent only: yes dual citizenship recognized: no residency requirement for naturalization: 3 years
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Suffrage
18-65 years of age; universal and compulsory; voluntary for 16-18, over 65, and other eligible voters
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Executive branch
chief of state: President Daniel NOBOA Azin (since 23 November 2023) head of government: President Daniel NOBOA Azin (since 23 November 2023) cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president election/appointment process: 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) most recent election date: 9 February 2025, with a runoff on 13 April 2025 election results: 2025: Daniel NOBOA Azin reelected president; percent of vote in the first round - Daniel NOBOA Azin (ADN) 44.2%, Luisa GONZÁLEZ Alcivar (MRC) 44%, Leonidas IZA (MUPP) 5.3%, other 6.5%; percent of vote in the second round - Daniel NOBOA Azin 55.6%, Luisa GONZÁLEZ Alcivar 44.4% 2023: Daniel NOBOA Azin elected president; percent of vote in the first round - Luisa GONZÁLEZ Alcivar (MRC) 33.6%, Daniel NOBOA Azin (ADN) 23.5%, Christian Gustavo ZURITA Ron (Construye) 16.4%, Jan Tomislav TOPIĆ Feraud (Por Un País Sin Miedo) 14.7%, Otto Ramón SONNENHOLZNER Sper (Avanza) 7.1%, other 4.7%; percent of vote in the second round - Daniel NOBOA Azin 51.8%, Luisa GONZÁLEZ Alcivar 48.2% 2021: Guillermo LASSO Mendoza elected president; percent of vote in the first round - Andres ARAUZ (UNES) 32.7%, Guillermo LASSO Mendoza (CREO) 19.7%, Yaku PEREZ Guartambel (MUPP) 19.4%, Xavier HERVAS Mora (ID) 15.7%, other 12.5%; percent of vote in the second round - Guillermo LASSO Mendoza (CREO) 52.5%, Andres ARAUZ (UNES) 47.5% expected date of next election: 28 February 2029 note 1: the president is both chief of state and head of government note 2: though eligible for a second term, former president Guillermo LASSO announced that he would not run in the 2023 election; President Daniel NOBOA Azin is serving out the remainder of the presidential term (2021–2025)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Legislative branch
legislature name: National Assembly (Asamblea Nacional) legislative structure: unicameral number of seats: 151 (all directly elected) electoral system: proportional representation scope of elections: full renewal term in office: 4 years most recent election date: 2/9/2025 parties elected and seats per party: Citizen Revolution Movement (RC) - Renewal Movement (RETO) (67); National Democratic Action (ADN) (66); Pachakutik (9); Other (9) percentage of women in chamber: 45% expected date of next election: February 2029 note 1: all Assembly members have alternates from the same party who cast votes when a primary member is absent, resigns, or is removed from office note 2: on 18 May 2023, Ecuador’s National Electoral Council announced that the legislative and presidential elections - originally scheduled for February 2025 - would be held on 20 August 2023 after President Guillermo LASSO dissolved the National Assembly by decree on 17 May 2023; a return to a regular election cycle will occur in February 2025
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Judicial branch
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 the court president and 8 judges) judge selection and term of office: candidates for the National Court of Justice evaluated and appointed justices by the Judicial Council, a 9-member independent body of law professionals; justices elected for 9-year, non-renewable terms, with one third of the membership renewed every 3 years; candidates for the Constitutional Court evaluated and appointed judges by a 6-member independent body of law professionals; judges appointed for 4-year renewable terms subordinate courts: provincial courts (one for each province except Galapagos); fiscal, criminal, and administrative tribunals; Election Dispute Settlement Courts; cantonal courts
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Political parties
Actuemos Ecuador or Actuemos AMIGO movement, Independent Mobilizing Action Generating Opportunities (Movimiento AMIGO (Acción Movilizadora Independiente Generando Oportunidades)) or AM16O Avanza Party or AVANZA Central Democratic Movement or CD Citizen Revolution Movement or MRC or RC5 Creating Opportunities Movement or CREO Democratic Left or ID Democracy Yes Movement (Movimiento Democracia Si) For A Country Without Fear (Por Un País Sin Miedo) (an alliance including PSC, CD, and PSP) Green Movement (Movimiento Verde) Movimiento Construye or Construye National Democratic Action (Acción Democrática Nacional) or ADN Pachakutik Plurinational Unity Movement or MUPP Patriotic Society Party or PSP People, Equality, and Democracy Party (Partido Pueblo, Igualdad y Democracia) or PID Popular Unity Party (Partido Unidad Popular) or UP Revolutionary and Democratic Ethical Green Movement (Movimiento Verde Ético Revolucionario y Democrático) or MOVER Social Christian Party or PSC Socialist Party Society United for More Action or SUMA Total Renovation Movement (Movimiento Renovacion Total) or RETO
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Diplomatic representation in the US
chief of mission: Ambassador Pablo Agustín ZAMBRANO Albuja (since 24 July 2025) chancery: 2535 15th Street NW, Washington, DC 20009 telephone: [1] (202) 234-7200 FAX: [1] (202) 333-2893 email address and website: eecuusanotifications@mmrree.gob.ec Contact – Washington (cancilleria.gob.ec) consulate(s) general: Atlanta, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, Minneapolis (MN), New Haven (CT), New York, Newark (NJ), Phoenix, San Juan (PR)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Diplomatic representation from the US
chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Chargé d’Affaires Lawrence PETRONI (since 17 April 2025) embassy: E12-170 Avenida Avigiras y Avenida Eloy Alfaro, Quito mailing address: 3420 Quito Place, Washington DC 20521-3420 telephone: [593] (2) 398-5000 email address and website: ACSQuito@state.gov https://ec.usembassy.gov/ consulate(s) general: Guayaquil
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
International organization participation
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, PROSUR, SICA (observer), UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, Union Latina, UNISFA, UNMIL, UNMISS, UNOCI, UNOOSA, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Independence
24 May 1822 (from Spain)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
National holiday
Independence Day (independence of Quito), 10 August (1809)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Flag
description: three horizontal bands of yellow (top, double-width), blue, and red, with the coat of arms at the center of the flag meaning: yellow stands for sunshine, grain, and mineral wealth; blue for the sky, sea, and rivers; red for patriots' blood spilled in the struggle for freedom and justice note: similar to the flag of Colombia, which is shorter and does not have a coat of arms
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
National symbol(s)
Andean condor
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
National color(s)
yellow, blue, red
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
National anthem(s)
title: "Salve, O Patria!" (We Salute You, Our Homeland) lyrics/music: Juan Leon MERA/Antonio NEUMANE history: adopted 1948; MERA wrote the lyrics in 1865; only the chorus and second verse are sung
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
National heritage
total World Heritage Sites: 5 (3 cultural, 2 natural) selected World Heritage Site locales: Historic Quito (c); Galápagos Islands (n); Historic Cuenca (c); Qhapaq Ñan/Andean Road System (c); Sangay National Park (n)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Economy32 fields
Economic overview
highly informal South American economy; USD currency user; major banana exporter; hard hit by COVID-19; macroeconomic fragility from oil dependency; successful debt restructuring; China funding budget deficits; social unrest hampering economic activity
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Real GDP (purchasing power parity)
$252.728 billion (2024 est.) $257.889 billion (2023 est.) $252.861 billion (2022 est.) note: data in 2021 dollars
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Real GDP growth rate
-2% (2024 est.) 2% (2023 est.) 5.9% (2022 est.) note: annual GDP % growth based on constant local currency
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Real GDP per capita
$13,900 (2024 est.) $14,300 (2023 est.) $14,200 (2022 est.) note: data in 2021 dollars
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
GDP (official exchange rate)
$124.676 billion (2024 est.) note: data in current dollars at official exchange rate
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Inflation rate (consumer prices)
1.5% (2024 est.) 2.2% (2023 est.) 3.5% (2022 est.) note: annual % change based on consumer prices
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
GDP - composition, by sector of origin
agriculture: 9.5% (2024 est.) industry: 26.5% (2024 est.) services: 57.2% (2024 est.) note: figures may not total 100% due to non-allocated consumption not captured in sector-reported data
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
GDP - composition, by end use
household consumption: 64.9% (2024 est.) government consumption: 13.3% (2024 est.) investment in fixed capital: 18.4% (2024 est.) investment in inventories: 0.1% (2024 est.) exports of goods and services: 30.3% (2024 est.) imports of goods and services: -26.9% (2024 est.) note: figures may not total 100% due to rounding or gaps in data collection
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Agricultural products
bananas, sugarcane, milk, oil palm fruit, maize, rice, plantains, chicken, pineapples, cocoa beans (2023) note: top ten agricultural products based on tonnage
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Industries
petroleum, food processing, textiles, wood products, chemicals
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Industrial production growth rate
-3.7% (2024 est.) note: annual % change in industrial value added based on constant local currency
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Labor force
8.821 million (2024 est.) note: number of people ages 15 or older who are employed or seeking work
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Unemployment rate
4.8% (2024 est.) 3.6% (2023 est.) 3.8% (2022 est.) note: % of labor force seeking employment
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24)
total: 10.1% (2024 est.) male: 8.3% (2024 est.) female: 13% (2024 est.) note: % of labor force ages 15-24 seeking employment
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Population below poverty line
26% (2023 est.) note: % of population with income below national poverty line
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income
44.6 (2023 est.) note: index (0-100) of income distribution; higher values represent greater inequality
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Average household expenditures
on food: 25.9% of household expenditures (2023 est.) on alcohol and tobacco: 0.9% of household expenditures (2023 est.)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Household income or consumption by percentage share
lowest 10%: 1.6% (2023 est.) highest 10%: 33.2% (2023 est.) note: % share of income accruing to lowest and highest 10% of population
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Remittances
5.2% of GDP (2024 est.) 4.5% of GDP (2023 est.) 4.1% of GDP (2022 est.) note: personal transfers and compensation between resident and non-resident individuals/households/entities
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Budget
revenues: $35.962 billion (2022 est.) expenditures: $35.969 billion (2022 est.) note: central government revenues (excluding grants) and expenditures converted to US dollars at average official exchange rate for year indicated
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Public debt
43.2% of GDP (2016 est.)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Taxes and other revenues
13.1% (of GDP) (2022 est.) note: central government tax revenue as a % of GDP
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Current account balance
$7.082 billion (2024 est.) $2.217 billion (2023 est.) $2.136 billion (2022 est.) note: balance of payments - net trade and primary/secondary income in current dollars
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Exports
$38.468 billion (2024 est.) $35.687 billion (2023 est.) $36.588 billion (2022 est.) note: balance of payments - exports of goods and services in current dollars
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Exports - partners
USA 22%, China 21%, Panama 12%, Japan 3%, Peru 3% (2023) note: top five export partners based on percentage share of exports
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Exports - commodities
crude petroleum, shellfish, bananas, fish, gold (2023) note: top five export commodities based on value in dollars
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Imports
$33.97 billion (2024 est.) $35.421 billion (2023 est.) $36.644 billion (2022 est.) note: balance of payments - imports of goods and services in current dollars
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Imports - partners
USA 27%, China 20%, Colombia 7%, Brazil 4%, Peru 4% (2023) note: top five import partners based on percentage share of imports
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Imports - commodities
refined petroleum, coal tar oil, cars, packaged medicine, plastics (2023) note: top five import commodities based on value in dollars
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold
$6.908 billion (2024 est.) $4.442 billion (2023 est.) $8.459 billion (2022 est.) note: holdings of gold (year-end prices)/foreign exchange/special drawing rights in current dollars
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Debt - external
$39.658 billion (2023 est.) note: present value of external debt in current US dollars
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Exchange rates
the US dollar became Ecuador's currency in 2001
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Energy7 fields
Electricity access
electrification - total population: 100% (2022 est.)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Electricity
installed generating capacity: 8.438 million kW (2023 est.) consumption: 29.305 billion kWh (2023 est.) exports: 192 million kWh (2023 est.) imports: 466 million kWh (2023 est.) transmission/distribution losses: 5.119 billion kWh (2023 est.)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Electricity generation sources
fossil fuels: 23.2% of total installed capacity (2023 est.) solar: 0.1% of total installed capacity (2023 est.) wind: 0.2% of total installed capacity (2023 est.) hydroelectricity: 75.4% of total installed capacity (2023 est.) biomass and waste: 1.1% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Coal
consumption: 14,000 metric tons (2023 est.) exports: 200 metric tons (2023 est.) imports: 14,000 metric tons (2023 est.) proven reserves: 24 million metric tons (2023 est.)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Petroleum
total petroleum production: 480,000 bbl/day (2023 est.) refined petroleum consumption: 272,000 bbl/day (2023 est.) crude oil estimated reserves: 8.273 billion barrels (2021 est.)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Natural gas
production: 271.053 million cubic meters (2023 est.) consumption: 271.053 million cubic meters (2023 est.) proven reserves: 10.902 billion cubic meters (2021 est.)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Energy consumption per capita
35.7 million Btu/person (2023 est.)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Communications6 fields
Telephones - fixed lines
total subscriptions: 1.22 million (2024 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 7 (2024 est.)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Telephones - mobile cellular
total subscriptions: 18.4 million (2024 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 102 (2024 est.)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Broadcast media
956 media outlets, of which 89% are private, 5% are public, and 6% belong to small communities; government controls most of the 44 public media stations, including national media and multiple local radio stations; most media outlets are concentrated in Guayas and Pichincha (2022)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Internet country code
.ec
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Internet users
percent of population: 77% (2024 est.) according to 2021 statistics from Ecuador's Ministry of Telecommunications and Information Society, 50% of homes do not have access to fixed internet
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Broadband - fixed subscriptions
total: 2.89 million (2023 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 16 (2023 est.)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Transportation6 fields
Civil aircraft registration country code prefix
HC
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Airports
317 (2025)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Heliports
28 (2025)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Railways
total: 965 km (2022) narrow gauge: 965 km (2022) 1.067-m gauge note: passenger service limited to certain sections of track, mostly for tourist trains
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Merchant marine
total: 154 (2023) by type: container ship 1, general cargo 8, oil tanker 28, other 117
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Ports
total ports: 6 (2024) large: 0 medium: 0 small: 2 very small: 4 ports with oil terminals: 5 key ports: Esmeraldas, Guayaquil, La Libertad, Manta, Puerto Bolivar, Puerto Maritimo de Guayaquil
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Military and Security6 fields
Military and security forces
Ecuadorian Armed Forces (Fuerzas Armadas del Ecuador): Ground Force (Fuerza Terrestre), Naval Force (Fuerza Naval; includes naval infantry, naval aviation, coast guard), Ecuadorian Air Force (Fuerza Aérea Ecuatoriana) (2025) note: the National Police of Ecuador (Policía Nacional del Ecuador) is under the Ministry of Government/Interior
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Military expenditures
2.2% of GDP (2024 est.) 2.3% of GDP (2023 est.) 2.2% of GDP (2022 est.) 2.4% of GDP (2021 est.) 2.3% of GDP (2020 est.)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Military and security service personnel strengths
approximately 40,000 active Ecuadorian Armed Forces (2025)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Military equipment inventories and acquisitions
the military's inventory includes a mix of mostly older and limited quantities of more modern equipment from a variety of sources such as Brazil, Chile, China, France, Italy, Germany, Russia/Soviet-Union, Spain, Turkey, the UK, and the US (2025)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Military service age and obligation
18-22 years of age for voluntary military service for men and women; 12-month service obligation; conscription abolished in 2008 (2025) note: in 2024, women made up about 5% of the active military
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Military - note
the military is responsible for preserving Ecuador’s national sovereignty and defending the integrity of the state; it also has some domestic security responsibilities and may complement police operations in maintaining public order if required; the military shares responsibility for border enforcement with the National Police; it participates in bilateral and multinational training exercises and has sent troops on UN peacekeeping missions; the military has defense ties to regional countries, such as Chile, Colombia, and Peru border conflicts with Peru dominated the military’s focus until the late 1990s and border security remains a priority, but in more recent years, security challenges have included counterinsurgency and counternarcotics operations, particularly in the northern border area where violence and other criminal activity related to terrorism, insurgency, and narco-trafficking in Colombia, as well as refugees from Venezuela, have spilled over the border; the military has established a joint service task force for counterinsurgency and counternarcotics operations and boosted troop deployments along those borders; other missions include countering illegal mining, smuggling, and maritime piracy; since 2012, the Ecuadorian Government has expanded the military’s role in general public security and domestic crime operations, in part due to rising violence, police corruption, and police ineffectiveness; in 2024, Ecuador passed a constitutional amendment formally authorizing the military to participate in complementary security roles such as supporting law enforcement in high-risk areas, conducting joint operations against organized crime, and providing logistical assistance in maintaining public order the military ruled the country from 1963-1966 and 1972-1979, and supported a dictatorship in 1970-1972; during the 1980s, the military remained loyal to the civilian government, but civilian-military relations were at times tenuous, and the military had considerable autonomy from civilian oversight; it was involved in coup attempts in 2000 and 2010 (2025)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Space3 fields
Space agency/agencies
Ecuadorian Civilian Space Agency (EXA; a civilian independent research and development institution in charge of the administration and execution of Ecuador’s space program, established 2007) (2025)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Space program overview
has a small program focused on acquiring and manufacturing satellites; builds scientific satellites; conducts research and develops some space-related technologies; has relationships with China and Russia's space agencies and industries, as well as the Latin American and Caribbean Space Agency and its member states (2025)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Key space-program milestones
2007 - an Ecuadorian completed a suborbital astronaut training program provided by Russia 2013 - first two domestically designed and built scientific/technology demonstrator satellites (NEE-01/Pegasus, NEE-02/Krysaor) launched by China and Russia 2021 - signed accords for the Latin American and Caribbean Space Agency 2023 - signed US-led Artemis Accords for space exploration
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Terrorism1 fields
Terrorist group(s)
Los Choneros; Los Lobos
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Transnational Issues2 fields
Refugees and internally displaced persons
refugees: 30,241 (2024 est.) IDPs: 57,402 (2024 est.)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Illicit drugs
USG identification: major illicit drug-producing and/or drug-transit country major precursor-chemical producer (2025)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source

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