Society in Ecuador
An overview of key social indicators. Select a category for detailed trends, charts, and insights.
Explore Social Domains
Demographics
Public Health
Education & Human Capital
Living Standards & Connectivity
Current Snapshot Overview
A summary of key social and demographic indicators for Ecuador
- Ecuador has an estimated population of 18.0M2023, with a modest annual growth rate of 0.9%2023, suggesting a mature demographic transition with stable, but limitated, population increase. A below-replacement fertility rate of 1.8 births per woman2023suggests gradual population aging and potential future workforce shortages. Net emigration of approximately 20K individuals annually (or 1.1 per 1,000 inhabitants)2024adds pressure to demographic transitions and workforce sustainability.
- Regarding public health, the country maintains a reasonable health standard with a life expectancy of 77.4 years2023, though there is scope for further improvements to achieve higher global benchmarks. Concurrently, maternal and child health indicators show solid progress, with child mortality (under 5 years) at 13.1 per 1,000 live births2023and maternal mortality at 55 per 100,000 live births2023, indicating improving but still developing services. These outcomes are supported by a moderate commitment to health system development, with 7.5% of GDP directed to healthcare expenditure2022.
- Strong educational foundations are evident in the high adult literacy rate of 94%2022, which significantly contributes to human capital development. Complementing this, educational access shows solid progress through 91% primary enrollment2018and 93% secondary participation rates2023. This educational framework is supported by limited educational investment, at 3.9% of GDP2023, which may constrain the scale and quality of future human capital development initiatives.
- In terms of infrastructure and connectivity, the predominantly urban character, with 65% urban population2023, supports modern economic structures while maintaining important rural-urban linkages. Furthermore, infrastructure development shows strong progress with 99% electricity access2023and 77% internet penetration2024, supporting ongoing modernization efforts and enhancing quality of life.
Key Development Insights
Population Dynamics
Managing demographic trends is crucial for long-term economic planning and workforce stability.
Public Health System
Public health outcomes are a core indicator of national development and quality of life. Access to healthcare is essential for sustainable growth.
Human Capital Formation
Educational attainment is a direct driver of economic innovation and global competitiveness. Investment in education is key to unlocking human potential.
Infrastructure & Connectivity
Infrastructure shapes economic efficiency, urbanization patterns, and digital integration, being critical for modern economies.
Note: The information on this page has been compiled from authoritative sources. While every effort is made to ensure accuracy, please note that some figures may not be current or entirely precise.