CapitalQuito
Population18,479,841
Area283,561 km²
GDP per capita$13,900
LanguagesSpanish, indigenous , foreign, other
Life Expectancy74.9 yr
Governmentpresidential republic
Introduction
Background
The region known today as Ecuador was once part of the northern Inca Empire until it fell under Spanish control in 1533. The city of Quito, which is the historical name for this region, became the headquarters of the Spanish colonial administration in 1563 and was incorporated into the Viceroyalty of New Granada in 1717. The territories that comprised the Viceroyalty, including New Granada (present-day Colombia), Venezuela, and Quito, achieved independence between 1819 and 1822, subsequently forming a federation called Gran Colombia. In 1830, when Quito separated to establish itself as an independent republic, the historical name was altered to the "Republic of the Equator." From 1904 to 1942, Ecuador experienced a loss of territories due to several conflicts with neighboring countries. A border conflict with Peru that escalated in 1995 was settled in 1999. Despite nearly 50 years of governance by civilian authorities, this era has been characterized by significant political instability.
Geography
Area
land
276,841 sq km
water
6,720 sq km
total
283,561 sq km
Climate
tropical climate along the coastline, transitioning to cooler temperatures inland at higher altitudes; tropical conditions prevail in the lowlands of the Amazonian jungle
Terrain
coastal plain (costa), inter-Andean central highlands (sierra), and flat to rolling eastern jungle (oriente)
Land use
other
28.6% (2023 est.)
forest
49.8% (2023 est.)
agricultural land
21.5% (2023 est.)
agricultural land: arable land
arable land: 4.1% (2023 est.)
agricultural land: permanent crops
permanent crops: 5.6% (2023 est.)
agricultural land: permanent pasture
permanent pasture: 11.8% (2023 est.)
Location
Located in Western South America, it borders the Pacific Ocean at the Equator, situated between Colombia and Peru
Coastline
2,237 km
Elevation
lowest point
Pacific Ocean 0 m
highest point
Chimborazo 6,267
mean elevation
1,117 m
Irrigated land
12,520 sq km (2022)
Map references
South America
Land boundaries
total
2,237 km
border countries
Colombia 708 km; Peru 1529 km
Maritime claims
territorial sea
12 nm
continental shelf
200 nm
exclusive economic zone
200 nm
Natural hazards
frequent seismic activity; landslides; volcanic eruptions; floods; intermittent droughts
volcanism: volcanic activity is predominantly located along the Andes Mountains; Sangay (5,230 m) is recognized as the most active volcano on the Ecuadorian mainland; other notable volcanoes with historical activity 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 among the numerous Galapagos volcanoes; additional historically active Galapagos volcanoes comprise Wolf, Sierra Negra, Cerro Azul, Pinta, Marchena, and Santiago
Geography - note
Cotopaxi, located in the Andes, is the highest active volcano in the world
Natural resources
petroleum, fish, timber, hydropower
Area - comparative
slightly smaller in area than the state of Nevada
Geographic coordinates
2 00 S, 77 30 W
Population distribution
nearly half of the population resides in the interior, with significant populations also located along the western coastal region; the eastern rainforests remain largely uninhabited
Major watersheds (area sq km)
Atlantic Ocean drainage
Amazon (6,145,186 sq km)
People & Society
Literacy
male
96.8% (2022 est.)
female
95.7% (2022 est.)
total population
96.3% (2022 est.)
Languages
Languages
Spanish (Castilian; official) 98.6%, indigenous 3.9% (Quechua 3.2%, other indigenous 0.7%), foreign 2.8%, other 0.6% (including 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.
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.)
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
total population
0.97 male(s)/female (2024 est.)
65 years and over
0.81 male(s)/female
Birth rate
17.42 births/1,000 population (2025 est.)
Death rate
7.12 deaths/1,000 population (2025 est.)
Median age
male
27 years
total
28.2 years (2025 est.)
female
28.9 years
Population
male
9,097,614
total
18,479,841 (2025 est.)
female
9,382,227
Nationality
noun
Ecuadorian(s)
adjective
Ecuadorian
Tobacco use
male
17.2% (2025 est.)
total
9.7% (2025 est.)
female
2.4% (2025 est.)
Urbanization
urban population
64.8% of total population (2023)
rate of urbanization
1.62% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
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)
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.)
Child marriage
women married by age 15
3.8% (2018)
women married by age 18
22.2% (2018)
Dependency ratios
total dependency ratio
55.3 (2025 est.)
youth dependency ratio
41 (2025 est.)
potential support ratio
7 (2025 est.)
elderly dependency ratio
14.3 (2025 est.)
Physician density
2.31 physicians/1,000 population (2020)
Health expenditure
Health expenditure (as % of GDP)
8.3% of GDP (2021)
Health expenditure (as % of national budget)
11.9% of national budget (2022 est.)
Net migration rate
-1.23 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2025 est.)
Hospital bed density
1.3 beds/1,000 population (2021 est.)
Total fertility rate
2.17 children born/woman (2025 est.)
Drinking water source
improved: rural
rural: 87.9% of population (2022 est.)
improved: total
total: 95.7% of population (2022 est.)
improved: urban
urban: 100% of population (2022 est.)
unimproved: rural
rural: 12.1% of population (2022 est.)
unimproved: total
total: 4.3% of population (2022 est.)
unimproved: urban
urban: 0% of population (2022 est.)
Education expenditure
Education expenditure (% GDP)
3.9% of GDP (2023 est.)
Education expenditure (% national budget)
15.5% national budget (2025 est.)
Infant mortality rate
male
12.2 deaths/1,000 live births
total
11.2 deaths/1,000 live births (2025 est.)
female
10.2 deaths/1,000 live births
Population growth rate
0.91% (2025 est.)
Gross reproduction rate
1.06 (2025 est.)
Population distribution
approximately half of the population is situated in the interior, with significant numbers also located along the western coastal region; the eastern rainforests are largely uninhabited
Life expectancy at birth
male
69.7 years
female
80.4 years
total population
74.9 years (2024 est.)
Maternal mortality ratio
55 deaths/100,000 live births (2023 est.)
Sanitation facility access
improved: rural
rural: 98.2% of population (2022 est.)
improved: total
total: 99.4% of population (2022 est.)
improved: urban
urban: 100% of population (2022 est.)
unimproved: rural
rural: 1.8% of population (2022 est.)
unimproved: total
total: 0.6% of population (2022 est.)
unimproved: urban
urban: 0% of population (2022 est.)
Alcohol consumption per capita
beer
2.32 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
wine
0.09 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
total
3.05 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.)
Major urban areas - population
3.142 million Guayaquil, 1.957 million QUITO (capital) (2023)
Obesity - adult prevalence rate
19.9% (2016)
Currently married women (ages 15-49)
45.3% (2022 est.)
Children under the age of 5 years underweight
4.9% (2024 est.)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)
male
14 years (2022 est.)
total
15 years (2022 est.)
female
15 years (2022 est.)
Environment
Climate
tropical near the coast, transitioning to cooler temperatures inland at elevated regions; tropical within the lowlands of the Amazon jungle
Geoparks
global geoparks and regional networks
Imbabura: Napo Sumaco; Tungurahua (2025)
total global geoparks and regional networks
3 (2025)
Land use
other
28.6% (2023 est.)
forest
49.8% (2023 est.)
agricultural land
21.5% (2023 est.)
agricultural land: arable land
arable land: 4.1% (2023 est.)
agricultural land: permanent crops
permanent crops: 5.6% (2023 est.)
agricultural land: permanent pasture
permanent pasture: 11.8% (2023 est.)
Urbanization
urban population
64.8% of total population (2023)
rate of urbanization
1.62% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Methane emissions
other
2.6 kt (2019-2021 est.)
waste
210.1 kt (2019-2021 est.)
energy
454.3 kt (2022-2024 est.)
agriculture
346.3 kt (2019-2021 est.)
Waste and recycling
municipal solid waste generated annually
5.297 million tons (2024 est.)
percent of municipal solid waste recycled
28% (2022 est.)
Environmental issues
deforestation; erosion of soil; desertification; contamination of water; pollution resulting from oil extraction waste in regions of the Amazon Basin and the Galapagos Islands
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.)
Carbon dioxide emissions
total emissions
38.286 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)
from consumed natural gas
536,000 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.)
Particulate matter emissions
17.3 micrograms per cubic meter (2019 est.)
Total renewable water resources
442.4 billion cubic meters (2022 est.)
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
Government
Flag
description: features three horizontal stripes in yellow (top, double-width), blue, and red, with the coat of arms positioned centrally on the flag
meaning: yellow represents sunshine, agricultural abundance, and mineral resources; blue symbolizes the sky, ocean, and rivers; red signifies the blood of patriots shed in the fight for freedom and justice
Capital
name
Quito
etymology
the name is derived from the Quitu, a Pre-Columbian civilization that inhabited the region; the interpretation of their name remains unknown
time zone note
Ecuador is divided into two time zones, which includes the Galapagos Islands (UTC-6)
time difference
UTC-5 (coinciding with Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
geographic coordinates
0 13 S, 78 30 W
Suffrage
mandatory for individuals aged 18 to 65; compulsory for all, while optional for those aged 16-18, above 65, and other eligible voters
Citizenship
citizenship by birth
yes
citizenship by descent only
yes
dual citizenship recognized
no
residency requirement for naturalization
3 years
Constitution
history
many previous; latest approved 20 October 2008
amendment process
initiated by the president of the republic via a referendum, through public petition supported by at least 1% of registered voters, or by consensus from at least one-third of the National Assembly's members; the process requires two distinct readings spaced a year apart and a vote of at least two-thirds majority in the Assembly, along with approval by absolute majority in a referendum; amendments that pertain to altering the structure of the state, restricting personal rights, guarantees, or procedures for constitutional amendments are prohibited
Country name
former
Quito
etymology
the term is the Spanish equivalent of 'equator,' indicative of its geographical location
local long form
República del Ecuador
local short form
Ecuador
conventional long form
Republic of Ecuador
conventional short form
Ecuador
Independence
24 May 1822 (from Spain)
Legal system
civil law is grounded in the Chilean civil code with alterations; customary law is applied in ethnic communities
Government type
presidential republic
Judicial branch
highest court(s)
National Court of Justice or Corte Nacional de Justicia (comprises 21 judges, including the chief justice, and is structured into 5 specialized chambers); Constitutional Court or Corte Constitucional (includes the court president and 8 judges)
subordinate courts
provincial courts (one for each province except for Galapagos); fiscal, criminal, and administrative tribunals; Election Dispute Settlement Courts; cantonal courts
judge selection and term of office
candidates for the National Court of Justice are assessed and justices are selected by the Judicial Council, a 9-member independent panel of legal professionals; justices serve 9-year, non-renewable terms, with one-third of the justices being renewed every 3 years; candidates for the Constitutional Court are evaluated and judges appointed by a 6-member independent body of legal experts; judges serve 4-year renewable terms
Executive branch
cabinet
Cabinet appointed by the president
chief of state
President Daniel NOBOA Azin (since 23 November 2023)
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%
head of government
President Daniel NOBOA Azin (since 23 November 2023)
most recent election date
9 February 2025, with a runoff on 13 April 2025
election/appointment process
the president and vice president are elected directly on a single ballot by absolute-majority popular vote in two rounds, if necessary, for a term of 4 years (eligible for a second term)
expected date of next election
28 February 2029
National holiday
Independence Day (commemorating the independence of Quito), 10 August (1809)
National color(s)
yellow, blue, red
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)
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
Legislative branch
term in office
4 years
number of seats
151 (all directly elected)
electoral system
proportional representation
legislature name
National Assembly (Asamblea Nacional)
scope of elections
full renewal
legislative structure
unicameral
most recent election date
2/9/2025
expected date of next election
February 2029
percentage of women in chamber
45%
parties elected and seats per party
Citizen Revolution Movement (RC) - Renewal Movement (RETO) (67); National Democratic Action (ADN) (66); Pachakutik (9); Other (9)
National anthem(s)
title
"Salve, O Patria!" (We Salute You, Our Homeland)
history
adopted in 1948; MERA composed the lyrics in 1865; only the chorus and second verse are performed
lyrics/music
Juan Leon MERA/Antonio NEUMANE
National symbol(s)
Andean condor
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
Diplomatic representation in the US
FAX
[1] (202) 333-2893
chancery
2535 15th Street NW, Washington, DC 20009
telephone
[1] (202) 234-7200
chief of mission
Ambassador Pablo Agustín ZAMBRANO Albuja (since 24 July 2025)
consulate(s) general
Atlanta, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, Minneapolis (MN), New Haven (CT), New York, Newark (NJ), Phoenix, San Juan (PR)
email address and website
[email protected]
Contact – Washington (cancilleria.gob.ec)
Diplomatic representation from the US
embassy
E12-170 Avenida Avigiras y Avenida Eloy Alfaro, Quito
telephone
[593] (2) 398-5000
mailing address
3420 Quito Place, Washington DC 20521-3420
chief of mission
Ambassador (vacant); Chargé d’Affaires Lawrence PETRONI (since 17 April 2025)
consulate(s) general
Guayaquil
email address and website
[email protected]
https://ec.usembassy.gov/
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
International law organization participation
has not submitted a declaration for ICJ jurisdiction; accepts ICCt jurisdiction
Economy
Budget
revenues
$35.962 billion (2022 est.)
expenditures
$35.969 billion (2022 est.)
Exports
Exports 2022
$36.588 billion (2022 est.)
Exports 2023
$35.687 billion (2023 est.)
Exports 2024
$38.468 billion (2024 est.)
Imports
Imports 2022
$36.644 billion (2022 est.)
Imports 2023
$35.421 billion (2023 est.)
Imports 2024
$33.97 billion (2024 est.)
Industries
petroleum, food processing, textiles, wood products, chemicals
Labor force
8.821 million (2024 est.)
Public debt
Public debt 2016
43.2% of GDP (2016 est.)
Remittances
Remittances 2022
4.1% of GDP (2022 est.)
Remittances 2023
4.5% of GDP (2023 est.)
Remittances 2024
5.2% of GDP (2024 est.)
Exchange rates
in 2001, the US dollar was adopted as the currency of Ecuador
Debt - external
Debt - external 2023
$39.658 billion (2023 est.)
Economic overview
characterized by a largely informal economy in South America; utilizes USD as currency; significant exporter of bananas; severely affected by COVID-19; faces macroeconomic instability due to reliance on oil; successfully restructured debt; receives funding from China to cover budget deficits; social unrest is obstructing economic progress
Unemployment rate
Unemployment rate 2022
3.8% (2022 est.)
Unemployment rate 2023
3.6% (2023 est.)
Unemployment rate 2024
4.8% (2024 est.)
Exports - partners
USA 22%, China 21%, Panama 12%, Japan 3%, Peru 3% (2023)
Imports - partners
USA 27%, China 20%, Colombia 7%, Brazil 4%, Peru 4% (2023)
Real GDP per capita
Real GDP per capita 2022
$14,200 (2022 est.)
Real GDP per capita 2023
$14,300 (2023 est.)
Real GDP per capita 2024
$13,900 (2024 est.)
Real GDP growth rate
Real GDP growth rate 2022
5.9% (2022 est.)
Real GDP growth rate 2023
2% (2023 est.)
Real GDP growth rate 2024
-2% (2024 est.)
Agricultural products
bananas, sugarcane, milk, oil palm fruit, maize, rice, plantains, chicken, pineapples, cocoa beans (2023)
Exports - commodities
crude petroleum, shellfish, bananas, fish, gold (2023)
Imports - commodities
refined petroleum, coal tar oil, cars, packaged medicine, plastics (2023)
Current account balance
Current account balance 2022
$2.136 billion (2022 est.)
Current account balance 2023
$2.217 billion (2023 est.)
Current account balance 2024
$7.082 billion (2024 est.)
Taxes and other revenues
13.1% (of GDP) (2022 est.)
GDP (official exchange rate)
$124.676 billion (2024 est.)
GDP - composition, by end use
household consumption
64.9% (2024 est.)
government consumption
13.3% (2024 est.)
investment in inventories
0.1% (2024 est.)
investment in fixed capital
18.4% (2024 est.)
exports of goods and services
30.3% (2024 est.)
imports of goods and services
-26.9% (2024 est.)
Population below poverty line
26% (2023 est.)
Average household expenditures
on food
25.9% of household expenditures (2023 est.)
on alcohol and tobacco
0.9% of household expenditures (2023 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2022
3.5% (2022 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2023
2.2% (2023 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2024
1.5% (2024 est.)
Industrial production growth rate
-3.7% (2024 est.)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2022
$252.861 billion (2022 est.)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2023
$257.889 billion (2023 est.)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2024
$252.728 billion (2024 est.)
Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24)
male
8.3% (2024 est.)
total
10.1% (2024 est.)
female
13% (2024 est.)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2022
$8.459 billion (2022 est.)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2023
$4.442 billion (2023 est.)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2024
$6.908 billion (2024 est.)
GDP - composition, by sector of origin
industry
26.5% (2024 est.)
services
57.2% (2024 est.)
agriculture
9.5% (2024 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share
lowest 10%
1.6% (2023 est.)
highest 10%
33.2% (2023 est.)
Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income
Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income 2023
44.6 (2023 est.)
Energy
Coal
exports
200 metric tons (2023 est.)
imports
14,000 metric tons (2023 est.)
consumption
14,000 metric tons (2023 est.)
proven reserves
24 million metric tons (2023 est.)
Petroleum
total petroleum production
480,000 bbl/day (2023 est.)
crude oil estimated reserves
8.273 billion barrels (2021 est.)
refined petroleum consumption
272,000 bbl/day (2023 est.)
Electricity
exports
192 million kWh (2023 est.)
imports
466 million kWh (2023 est.)
consumption
29.305 billion kWh (2023 est.)
installed generating capacity
8.438 million kW (2023 est.)
transmission/distribution losses
5.119 billion kWh (2023 est.)
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.)
Electricity access
electrification - total population
100% (2022 est.)
Energy consumption per capita
Total energy consumption per capita 2023
35.7 million Btu/person (2023 est.)
Electricity generation sources
wind
0.2% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
solar
0.1% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
fossil fuels
23.2% 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.)
Communications
Internet users
percent of population
77% (2024 est.)
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)
Internet country code
.ec
Telephones - fixed lines
total subscriptions
1.22 million (2024 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants
7 (2024 est.)
Telephones - mobile cellular
total subscriptions
18.4 million (2024 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants
102 (2024 est.)
Broadband - fixed subscriptions
total
2.89 million (2023 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants
16 (2023 est.)
Transportation
Ports
large
0
small
2
medium
0
key ports
Esmeraldas, Guayaquil, La Libertad, Manta, Puerto Bolivar, Puerto Maritimo de Guayaquil
very small
4
total ports
6 (2024)
ports with oil terminals
5
Airports
317 (2025)
Railways
total
965 km (2022)
narrow gauge
965 km (2022) 1.067-m gauge
Heliports
28 (2025)
Merchant marine
total
154 (2023)
by type
container vessel 1, general cargo vessels 8, oil tankers 28, others 117
Civil aircraft registration country code prefix
HC
Military & Security
Military - note
The military is tasked with safeguarding Ecuador's national sovereignty and defending the state's integrity; it also holds certain domestic security duties and may assist police operations in upholding public order when necessary. The military collaborates with the National Police in enforcing border security and engages in both bilateral and multinational training exercises, as well as deploying troops for UN peacekeeping missions. Its defense relationships extend to neighboring nations, including Chile, Colombia, and Peru.
Border disputes with Peru were a central concern for the military until the late 1990s, and securing the borders continues to be a priority. However, in recent years, security challenges have evolved to include counterinsurgency and counternarcotics initiatives, particularly in the northern border region, where violence and criminal activities associated with terrorism, insurgency, and drug trafficking from Colombia, along with the influx of Venezuelan refugees, have crossed into Ecuador. To address these issues, the military has formed a joint service task force dedicated to counterinsurgency and counternarcotics operations and has increased troop presence along those borders. Additional missions encompass combating illegal mining, smuggling, and maritime piracy. Since 2012, the Ecuadorian Government has broadened the military's role in overall public security and domestic crime efforts, partly in response to escalating violence, police corruption, and inefficacy. In 2024, a constitutional amendment was ratified, officially permitting the military to engage in complementary security functions, such as aiding law enforcement in high-risk zones, conducting joint operations against organized crime, and offering logistical support in maintaining public order.
The military held power in the country from 1963 to 1966 and again from 1972 to 1979, and it supported a dictatorship from 1970 to 1972. Throughout the 1980s, the military remained loyal to civilian leadership, although relations between civilian authorities and the military were at times strained, affording the military significant independence from civilian control. It was implicated in coup attempts in both 2000 and 2010 (2025).
Military expenditures
Military Expenditures 2020
2.3% of GDP (2020 est.)
Military Expenditures 2021
2.4% of GDP (2021 est.)
Military Expenditures 2022
2.2% of GDP (2022 est.)
Military Expenditures 2023
2.3% of GDP (2023 est.)
Military Expenditures 2024
2.2% of GDP (2024 est.)
Military and security forces
Ecuadorian Armed Forces (Fuerzas Armadas del Ecuador): Includes the Ground Force (Fuerza Terrestre), Naval Force (Fuerza Naval; comprising naval infantry, naval aviation, and coast guard), and the Ecuadorian Air Force (Fuerza Aérea Ecuatoriana) (2025).
Military service age and obligation
Voluntary military service for both men and women is available for those aged 18-22 years; there is a 12-month service obligation, with conscription having been abolished in 2008 (2025).
Military equipment inventories and acquisitions
The military's equipment inventory consists of a blend of primarily older and a limited number of more modern assets sourced from various countries, including Brazil, Chile, China, France, Italy, Germany, Russia/Soviet Union, Spain, Turkey, the UK, and the US (2025).
Military and security service personnel strengths
Approximately 40,000 personnel are active in the Ecuadorian Armed Forces (2025).
Terrorism
Terrorist group(s)
Los Choneros; Los Lobos
Transnational Issues
Illicit drugs
USG identification
major illicit drug-producing and/or drug-transit country
major precursor-chemical producer (2025)
Refugees and internally displaced persons
IDPs
57,402 (2024 est.)
refugees
30,241 (2024 est.)
Space
Space agency/agencies
Ecuadorian Civilian Space Agency (EXA; an independent civilian institution responsible for the management and implementation of Ecuador's space initiatives, founded in 2007) (2025)
Space program overview
maintains a modest program aimed at the acquisition and production of satellites; develops scientific satellites; engages in research and innovation of various space-related technologies; collaborates with the space agencies and industries of China and Russia, in addition to the Latin American and Caribbean Space Agency and its member nations (2025)
Key space-program milestones
2007 - an Ecuadorian individual completed a suborbital astronaut training program offered by Russia
2013 - the first two scientific/technology demonstrator satellites designed and constructed domestically (NEE-01/Pegasus, NEE-02/Krysaor) were launched by China and Russia
2021 - agreements were signed for participation in the Latin American and Caribbean Space Agency
2023 - entered into the US-led Artemis Accords concerning space exploration
