Ecuador
Country statistics · 1990–present
Ecuador at a Glance
Ecuador is home to 18.1 million people as of 2024, with a population that is growing rapidly. At a GDP per capita of $8,390, it is a lower-middle-income economy — reflecting an economy in active development. Life expectancy at birth stands at 77.6 years, close to the global average.
Population Trends
The total resident population stood at 18.1 million as of 2024. With a birth rate of 14.8 and a death rate of 5.2 per 1,000 people (2024), the natural growth rate stands at 9.6 per 1,000 — equivalent to roughly 174,000 additional residents each year from natural change alone.
Economy & Development
Ecuador is a smaller economy, with a total GDP that is projected at $157 billion (2029 IMF projection). At $8,390 per person, it is classified as a lower-middle-income economy — reflecting an economy in active development. Real GDP growth is projected at 2.8% in 2029, representing modest growth. The unemployment rate is projected at 3.1% (2029 IMF projection), indicating a relatively tight labour market.
Health & Society
Life expectancy at birth is 77.6 years (2024), close to the global average. Current health expenditure per person is $509 (2023), representing limited per-capita healthcare spending. The adult literacy rate stands at 93.5% (2024), reflecting high literacy rates. 77.2% of the population use the internet (2024), indicating strong digital connectivity. Access to safe drinking water reaches 69.9% of the population (2024), representing majority access to safe drinking water, though gaps remain.