2013 Edition

Background

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 February 2013, and voters re-elected President Rafael CORREA.

Area

283,561 sq km 276,841 sq km 6,720 sq km includes Galapagos Islands

total

283,561 sq km

water

6,720 sq km

Area - comparative

slightly smaller than Nevada

Climate

tropical along coast, becoming cooler inland at higher elevations; tropical in Amazonian jungle lowlands

Coastline

2,237 km

Elevation extremes

Pacific Ocean 0 m Chimborazo 6,267 m due to the fact that the earth is not a perfect sphere and has an equatorial bulge, the highest point on the planet furthest from its center is Mount Chimborazo not Mount Everest, which is merely the highest peak above sea-level

highest point

Chimborazo 6,267 m

lowest point

Pacific Ocean 0 m

Environment - current issues

deforestation; soil erosion; desertification; water pollution; pollution from oil production wastes in ecologically sensitive areas of the Amazon Basin and Galapagos Islands

Environment - international agreements

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 none of the selected agreements

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

Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural)

9.92 cu km/yr (13%/6%/81%) 716.1 cu m/yr (2005)

per capita

716.1 cu m/yr (2005)

total

9.92 cu km/yr (13%/6%/81%)

Geographic coordinates

2 00 S, 77 30 W

Geography - note

Cotopaxi in Andes is highest active volcano in world

Irrigated land

8,534 sq km (2003)

Land boundaries

2,010 km Colombia 590 km, Peru 1,420 km

border countries

Colombia 590 km, Peru 1,420 km

total

2,010 km

Land use

4.51% 5.38% 90.11% (2011)

arable land

4.51%

other

90.11% (2011)

permanent crops

5.38%

Location

Western South America, bordering the Pacific Ocean at the Equator, between Colombia and Peru

Map references

South America

Maritime claims

200 nm 100 nm from 2,500-m isobath

continental shelf

100 nm from 2,500-m isobath

territorial sea

200 nm

Natural hazards

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

volcanism

volcanic activity concentrated along the Andes Mountains; Sangay (elev. 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 (elev. 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

petroleum, fish, timber, hydropower

Terrain

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

Total renewable water resources

424.4 cu km (2011)

Age structure

29% (male 2,284,815/female 2,193,648) 18.7% (male 1,462,025/female 1,427,181) 38.7% (male 2,908,224/female 3,061,896) 6.9% (male 524,574/female 540,074) 6.7% (male 496,557/female 540,435) (2013 est.)

0-14 years

29% (male 2,284,815/female 2,193,648)

15-24 years

18.7% (male 1,462,025/female 1,427,181)

25-54 years

38.7% (male 2,908,224/female 3,061,896)

55-64 years

6.9% (male 524,574/female 540,074)

65 years and over

6.7% (male 496,557/female 540,435) (2013 est.)

Birth rate

19.23 births/1,000 population (2013 est.)

Child labor - children ages 5-14

227,599 8 % (2008 est.)

percentage

8 % (2008 est.)

total number

227,599

Children under the age of 5 years underweight

6.2% (2004)

Contraceptive prevalence rate

72.7% (2004)

Death rate

5.03 deaths/1,000 population (2013 est.)

Demographic profile

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

57.4 % 47.2 % 10.3 % 9.8 (2013)

elderly dependency ratio

10.3 %

potential support ratio

9.8 (2013)

total dependency ratio

57.4 %

youth dependency ratio

47.2 %

Drinking water source

urban: 96% of population rural: 89% of population total: 94% of population urban: 4% of population rural: 11% of population total: 6% of population (2010 est.)

rural

11% of population

total

6% of population (2010 est.)

urban

4% of population

Education expenditures

4.9% of GDP (2010)

Ethnic groups

mestizo (mixed Amerindian and white) 71.9%, Montubio 7.4%, Afroecuadorian 7.2%, Amerindian 7%, white 6.1%, other 0.4% (2010 census)

Health expenditures

7.3% of GDP (2011)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

0.4% (2009 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths

2,200 (2009 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

37,000 (2009 est.)

Hospital bed density

1.6 beds/1,000 population (2010)

Infant mortality rate

18.48 deaths/1,000 live births 21.73 deaths/1,000 live births 15.07 deaths/1,000 live births (2013 est.)

female

15.07 deaths/1,000 live births (2013 est.)

total

18.48 deaths/1,000 live births

Languages

Spanish (official), indigenous (Quechua, Shuar)

Life expectancy at birth

76.15 years 73.2 years 79.25 years (2013 est.)

female

79.25 years (2013 est.)

total population

76.15 years

Literacy

age 15 and over can read and write 91.6% 93.1% 90.2% (2011 est.)

definition

age 15 and over can read and write

female

90.2% (2011 est.)

male

93.1%

total population

91.6%

Major infectious diseases

high bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever dengue fever and malaria (2013)

degree of risk

high

food or waterborne diseases

bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever

vectorborne diseases

dengue fever and malaria (2013)

Major urban areas - population

Guayaquil 2.634 million; QUITO (capital) 1.622 million (2011)

Maternal mortality rate

110 deaths/100,000 live births (2010)

Median age

26.3 years 25.7 years 26.9 years (2013 est.)

female

26.9 years (2013 est.)

male

25.7 years

total

26.3 years

Mother's mean age at first birth

21.8 (2004 est.)

Nationality

Ecuadorian(s) Ecuadorian

adjective

Ecuadorian

noun

Ecuadorian(s)

Net migration rate

-0.25 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2013 est.)

Obesity - adult prevalence rate

21.4% (2008)

Physicians density

1.69 physicians/1,000 population (2009)

Population

15,439,429 (July 2013 est.)

Population growth rate

1.4% (2013 est.)

Religions

Roman Catholic 95%, other 5%

Sanitation facility access

urban: 96% of population rural: 84% of population total: 92% of population urban: 4% of population rural: 16% of population total: 8% of population (2010 est.)

rural

16% of population

total

8% of population (2010 est.)

urban

4% of population

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

14 years 13 years 14 years (2008)

female

14 years (2008)

male

13 years

total

14 years

Sex ratio

1.05 male(s)/female 1.04 male(s)/female 1.02 male(s)/female 0.95 male(s)/female 0.98 male(s)/female 0.92 male(s)/female 0.99 male(s)/female (2013 est.)

0-14 years

1.04 male(s)/female

15-24 years

1.02 male(s)/female

25-54 years

0.95 male(s)/female

55-64 years

0.98 male(s)/female

65 years and over

0.92 male(s)/female

at birth

1.05 male(s)/female

total population

0.99 male(s)/female (2013 est.)

Total fertility rate

2.33 children born/woman (2013 est.)

Unemployment, youth ages 15-24

14.1% 11.7% 18.1% (2009)

female

18.1% (2009)

total

14.1%

Urbanization

67% of total population (2010) 2% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

rate of urbanization

2% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

urban population

67% of total population (2010)

Administrative divisions

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

Quito 0 13 S, 78 30 W UTC-5 (same time as Washington, DC during Standard Time)

geographic coordinates

0 13 S, 78 30 W

name

Quito

time difference

UTC-5 (same time as Washington, DC during Standard Time)

Constitution

many previous; latest approved 20 October 2008; amended 2011 (2011)

Country name

Republic of Ecuador Ecuador Republica del Ecuador Ecuador

conventional long form

Republic of Ecuador

conventional short form

Ecuador

local long form

Republica del Ecuador

local short form

Ecuador

Diplomatic representation from the US

Ambassador Adam E. NAMM (since 26 April 2012) Avenida Avigiras E12-170 y Avenida Eloy Alfaro, Quito Avenida Guayacanes N52-205 y Avenida Avigiras [593] (2) 398-5000 [593] (2) 398-5100 Guayaquil

chief of mission

Ambassador Adam E. NAMM (since 26 April 2012)

consulate(s) general

Guayaquil

embassy

Avenida Avigiras E12-170 y Avenida Eloy Alfaro, Quito

FAX

[593] (2) 398-5100

mailing address

Avenida Guayacanes N52-205 y Avenida Avigiras

telephone

[593] (2) 398-5000

Diplomatic representation in the US

Ambassador Saskia Nathalie CELY Suarez (since 2 December 2011) 1050 30th Street, NW, Washington, DC 20007 [1] (202) 465-8140 [1] (202) 333-2893 Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New Haven (CT), New Orleans, New York, Newark (NJ), Phoenix, San Francisco, San Juan (Puerto Rico)

chancery

1050 30th Street, NW, Washington, DC 20007

chief of mission

Ambassador Saskia Nathalie CELY Suarez (since 2 December 2011)

consulate(s) general

Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New Haven (CT), New Orleans, New York, Newark (NJ), Phoenix, San Francisco, San Juan (Puerto Rico)

FAX

[1] (202) 333-2893

telephone

[1] (202) 465-8140

Executive branch

President Rafael CORREA Delgado (since 15 January 2007); Vice President Lenin MORENO Garces (since 15 January 2007); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government President Rafael CORREA Delgado (since 15 January 2007); Vice President Lenin MORENO Garces (since 15 January 2007) Cabinet appointed by the president the president and vice president elected on the same ticket by popular vote for a four-year term and can be re-elected for another consecutive term; election last held on 17 February 2013 (next to be held in 2017) President Rafael CORREA Delgado reelected president; percent of vote - Rafael CORREA Delgado 57.2%, Guillermo LASSO 22.7%, Lucio GUTIERREZ 6.8%, Mauricio RODAS 3.9%, other 9.4%

cabinet

Cabinet appointed by the president

chief of state

President Rafael CORREA Delgado (since 15 January 2007); Vice President Lenin MORENO Garces (since 15 January 2007); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government

election results

President Rafael CORREA Delgado reelected president; percent of vote - Rafael CORREA Delgado 57.2%, Guillermo LASSO 22.7%, Lucio GUTIERREZ 6.8%, Mauricio RODAS 3.9%, other 9.4%

elections

the president and vice president elected on the same ticket by popular vote for a four-year term and can be re-elected for another consecutive term; election last held on 17 February 2013 (next to be held in 2017)

head of government

President Rafael CORREA Delgado (since 15 January 2007); Vice President Lenin MORENO Garces (since 15 January 2007)

Flag description

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 Columbia, 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 similar to the flag of Colombia, which is shorter and does not bear a coat of arms

Government type

republic

Independence

24 May 1822 (from Spain)

International law organization participation

has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction

International organization participation

CAN, CD, CELAC, FAO, G-11, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), 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, PCA, UN, UNAMID, UNASUR, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, Union Latina, UNMIL, UNMISS, UNOCI, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO

Judicial branch

National Court of Justice or Corte Nacional de Justicia (consists of 21 judges including a chief justice and organized into 5 specialized chambers); Constitutional Court or Corte Constitutional (consists of 11 judges) justices of National Court of Justice elected by the Judiciary Council, a 9-member independent body of professionals; judges elected for 9-year, non-renewable terms, with one-third of the judges renewed every 3 years; Constitutional Court judges appointed by the National Assembly from candidates selected by the president, Supreme Court, and other government officials; judges appointed for 2-year terms Fiscal Tribunal; Superior Court (one for each province); lower provincial and cantonal courts

highest court(s)

National Court of Justice or Corte Nacional de Justicia (consists of 21 judges including a chief justice and organized into 5 specialized chambers); Constitutional Court or Corte Constitutional (consists of 11 judges)

judge selection and term of office

justices of National Court of Justice elected by the Judiciary Council, a 9-member independent body of professionals; judges elected for 9-year, non-renewable terms, with one-third of the judges renewed every 3 years; Constitutional Court judges appointed by the National Assembly from candidates selected by the president, Supreme Court, and other government officials; judges appointed for 2-year terms

subordinate courts

Fiscal Tribunal; Superior Court (one for each province); lower provincial and cantonal courts

Legal system

civil law based on the Chilean civil code with modifications

Legislative branch

unicameral National Assembly or Asamblea Nacional (137 seats; members are elected through a party-list proportional representation system to serve four-year terms) last held on 17 February 2013 (next to be held in 2017) percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PAIS 100, CREO 11, PSC 6, AVANZA 5, MUPP 5, PSP 5, other 5; note - defections by members of National Assembly are commonplace, resulting in frequent changes in the numbers of seats held by the various parties

election results

percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PAIS 100, CREO 11, PSC 6, AVANZA 5, MUPP 5, PSP 5, other 5; note - defections by members of National Assembly are commonplace, resulting in frequent changes in the numbers of seats held by the various parties

elections

last held on 17 February 2013 (next to be held in 2017)

National anthem

"Salve, Oh Patria!" (We Salute You Our Homeland) Juan Leon MERA/Antonio NEUMANE adopted 1948; Juan Leon MERA wrote the lyrics in 1865; only the chorus and second verse are sung

lyrics/music

Juan Leon MERA/Antonio NEUMANE

name

"Salve, Oh Patria!" (We Salute You Our Homeland)

National holiday

Independence Day (independence of Quito), 10 August (1809)

National symbol(s)

Andean condor

Political parties and leaders

Alianza PAIS movement [Rafael Vicente CORREA Delgado] Avanza Party or AVANZA [Ramiro GONZALEZ] Breakaway Party [Martha ROLDOS] Creating Opportunities Movement or CREO [Guillermo LASSO] Institutional Renewal and National Action Party or PRIAN [Alvaro NOBOA] Pachakutik Plurinational Unity Movement or MUPP [Rafael ANTUNI] Patriotic Society Party or PSP [Lucio GUTIERREZ Borbua] Plurinational Union Movement of the Left [Alberto ACOSTA] Roldosist Party or PRE [Abdala BUCARAM Pulley, director] Social Christian Party or PSC [Pascual DEL CIOPPO] Socialist Party Society United for More Action or SUMA [Mauricio RODAS] Warrior's Spirit Movement [Jaime NEBOT]

Political pressure groups and leaders

Confederation of Indigenous Nationalities of Ecuador or CONAIE [Humberto CHOLANGO] Federation of Indigenous Evangelists of Ecuador or FEINE [Manuel CHUGCHILAN, president] National Federation of Indigenous Afro-Ecuatorianos and Peasants or FENOCIN National Teacher's Union or UNE [Mariana PALLASCO]

Suffrage

18-65 years of age, universal and compulsory; 16-18, over 65, and other eligible voters, optional

Agriculture - products

bananas, coffee, cocoa, rice, potatoes, manioc (tapioca), plantains, sugarcane; cattle, sheep, pigs, beef, pork, dairy products; fish, shrimp; balsa wood

Budget

$34.53 billion $35.48 billion (2012 est.)

expenditures

$35.48 billion (2012 est.)

revenues

$34.53 billion

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

-1.1% of GDP (2012 est.)

Central bank discount rate

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

Commercial bank prime lending rate

8.17% (31 December 2012 est.) 8.35% (31 December 2011 est.)

Current account balance

$-177 million (2012 est.) $-225 million (2011 est.)

Debt - external

$17.68 billion (31 December 2012 est.) $16.5 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

Distribution of family income - Gini index

47.7 (December 2012) 50.5 (2006) data are for urban households

Economy - overview

Ecuador is substantially dependent on its petroleum resources, which have accounted for more than half of the country's export earnings and approximately two-fifths of public sector revenues in recent years. In 1999/2000, Ecuador's economy suffered from a banking crisis, with GDP contracting by 5.3% and poverty increasing significantly. In March 2000, the Congress approved a series of structural reforms that also provided for the adoption of the US dollar as legal tender. Dollarization stabilized the economy, and positive growth returned in the years that followed, helped by high oil prices, remittances, and increased non-traditional exports. From 2002-06 the economy grew an average of 4.3% per year, the highest five-year average in 25 years. After moderate growth in 2007, the economy reached a growth rate of 6.4% in 2008, buoyed by high global petroleum prices and increased public sector investment. President Rafael CORREA, who took office in January 2007, defaulted in December 2008 on Ecuador's sovereign debt, which, with a total face value of approximately US$3.2 billion, represented about 30% of Ecuador's public external debt. In May 2009, Ecuador bought back 91% of its "defaulted" bonds via an international reverse auction. Economic policies under the CORREA administration - for example, an announcement in late 2009 of its intention to terminate 13 bilateral investment treaties, including one with the United States - have generated economic uncertainty and discouraged private investment. The Ecuadorian economy slowed to 1% growth in 2009 due to the global financial crisis and to the sharp decline in world oil prices and remittance flows. Growth picked up to a 3.3% rate in 2010 and nearly 8% in 2011, before falling to 5% in 2012. China has become Ecuador's largest foreign lender since Quito defaulted in 2008, allowing the government to maintain a high rate of social spending; Ecuador contracted with the Chinese government for more than $9 billion in oil for cash and project loans as of December 2012.

Exchange rates

the US dollar became Ecuador's currency in 2001

Exports

$24.65 billion (2012 est.) $23.08 billion (2011 est.)

Exports - commodities

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

Exports - partners

US 37.3%, Chile 8.1%, Peru 6.5%, Japan 4.5%, Russia 4.5%, Colombia 4% (2012)

Fiscal year

calendar year

GDP - composition, by end use

61.1% 13.5% 26.6% 0.9% 31.2% -33.2% (2012 est.)

exports of goods and services

31.2%

government consumption

13.5%

household consumption

61.1%

imports of goods and services

-33.2%

investment in fixed capital

26.6%

investment in inventories

0.9%

GDP - composition, by sector of origin

5.9% 35.2% 58.8% (2012 est.)

agriculture

5.9%

industry

35.2%

services

58.8% (2012 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$10,200 (2012 est.) $9,900 (2011 est.) $9,300 (2010 est.) data are in 2012 US dollars

GDP - real growth rate

5.1% (2012 est.) 7.8% (2011 est.) 3% (2010 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$82.9 billion (2012 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$149.5 billion (2012 est.) $142.2 billion (2011 est.) $131.9 billion (2010 est.) data are in 2012 US dollars

Gross national saving

27.3% of GDP (2012 est.) 27% of GDP (2011 est.) 25% of GDP (2010 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share

1.4% 38.3% data for urban households only (2010 est.)

highest 10%

38.3%

lowest 10%

1.4%

Imports

$24.58 billion (2012 est.) $23.24 billion (2011 est.)

Imports - commodities

industrial materials, fuels and lubricants, nondurable consumer goods

Imports - partners

US 28.4%, China 11.3%, Colombia 8.8%, Peru 4.5% (2012)

Industrial production growth rate

5.6% excludes oil refining (2012 est.)

Industries

petroleum, food processing, textiles, wood products, chemicals

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

5.1% (2012 est.) 4.5% (2011 est.)

Labor force

4.769 million (2012 est.)

Labor force - by occupation

27.6% 18.8% 53.6% (2010 est.)

agriculture

27.6%

industry

18.8%

services

53.6% (2010 est.)

Market value of publicly traded shares

$5.779 billion (31 December 2011) $5.263 billion (31 December 2010) $4.248 billion (31 December 2009)

Population below poverty line

27.3% (December 2012 est)

Public debt

21% of GDP (2012 est.) 17.8% of GDP (2011 est.)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$2.483 billion (31 December 2012 est.) $2.958 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

Stock of broad money

$26.55 billion (31 December 2011 est.) $22.18 billion (31 December 2010 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad

$6.33 billion (31 December 2012 est.) $6.33 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - at home

$17.3 billion (31 December 2012 est.) $16.71 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

Stock of domestic credit

$22.5 billion (31 December 2012 est.) $20.05 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

Stock of narrow money

$7.801 billion (31 December 2012 est.) $6.943 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

Taxes and other revenues

41.7% of GDP (2012 est.)

Unemployment rate

4.9% (2012 est.) 6% (2011 est.)

Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy

29.13 million Mt (2011 est.)

Crude oil - exports

366,000 bbl/day (2012 est.)

Crude oil - imports

154,000 bbl/day (2012 est.)

Crude oil - production

504,500 bbl/day (2012 est.)

Crude oil - proved reserves

8.24 billion bbl (1 January 2013 es)

Electricity - consumption

14.92 billion kWh (2010 est.)

Electricity - exports

14.1 million kWh (2010 est.)

Electricity - from fossil fuels

55.3% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)

Electricity - from hydroelectric plants

42.8% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)

Electricity - from nuclear fuels

0% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)

Electricity - from other renewable sources

2% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)

Electricity - imports

1.3 billion kWh (2010 est.)

Electricity - installed generating capacity

5.243 million kW (2010 est.)

Electricity - production

21.84 billion kWh (2011 est.)

Natural gas - consumption

330 million cu m (2010 est.)

Natural gas - exports

0 cu m (2011 est.)

Natural gas - imports

25,000 cu m (2012 est.)

Natural gas - production

240 million cu m (2011 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves

6.994 billion cu m (1 January 2013 es)

Refined petroleum products - consumption

280,000 bbl/day (2012 est.)

Refined petroleum products - exports

28,000 bbl/day (2012 est.)

Refined petroleum products - imports

111,000 bbl/day (2012 est.)

Refined petroleum products - production

198,700 bbl/day (2012 est.)

Broadcast media

Ecuador has multiple TV networks and many local channels, as well as more than 300 radio stations; many TV and radio stations are privately owned; the government owns or controls 5 national TV stations and multiple radio stations; broadcast media required by law to give the government free air time to broadcast programs produced by the state (2007)

Internet country code

.ec

Internet hosts

170,538 (2012)

Internet users

3.352 million (2009)

Telephone system

elementary fixed-line service, but increasingly sophisticated mobile-cellular network fixed-line services provided by multiple telecommunications operators; fixed-line teledensity stands at about 15 per 100 persons; mobile-cellular use has surged and subscribership has reached 100 per 100 persons 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; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) (2011)

domestic

fixed-line services provided by multiple telecommunications operators; fixed-line teledensity stands at about 15 per 100 persons; mobile-cellular use has surged and subscribership has reached 100 per 100 persons

general assessment

elementary fixed-line service, but increasingly sophisticated mobile-cellular network

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; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) (2011)

Telephones - main lines in use

2.31 million (2012)

Telephones - mobile cellular

16.457 million (2012)

Airports

432 (2013)

Airports - with paved runways

51 (2013)

1,524 to 2,437 m

18

2,438 to 3,047 m

5

914 to 1,523 m

26

over 3,047 m

4

total

104

under 914 m

51 (2013)

Airports - with unpaved runways

291 (2013)

914 to 1,523 m

37

total

328

Heliports

2 (2013)

Merchant marine

cargo 1, chemical tanker 4, liquefied gas 1, passenger 9, petroleum tanker 28, refrigerated cargo 1 4 (Panama 3, Peru 1) (2010)

registered in other countries

4 (Panama 3, Peru 1) (2010)

total

44

Pipelines

extra heavy crude 527 km; gas 71 km; oil 2,131 km; refined products 1,526 km (2013)

Ports and terminals

Esmeraldas, Manta, Puerto Bolivar Guayaquil (Guayas)

major seaport(s)

Esmeraldas, Manta, Puerto Bolivar

river port(s)

Guayaquil (Guayas)

Railways

965 km 965 km 1.067-m gauge (2008)

total

965 km

Roadways

43,670 km 6,472 km 37,198 km (2007)

total

43,670 km

unpaved

37,198 km (2007)

Waterways

1,500 km (most inaccessible) (2012)

Manpower available for military service

3,728,906 3,844,918 (2010 est.)

females age 16-49

3,844,918 (2010 est.)

males age 16-49

3,728,906

Manpower fit for military service

2,834,213 3,269,535 (2010 est.)

females age 16-49

3,269,535 (2010 est.)

males age 16-49

2,834,213

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually

152,593 147,143 (2010 est.)

female

147,143 (2010 est.)

male

152,593

Military branches

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)

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

2.3% of GDP (2012)

Military service age and obligation

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

Disputes - international

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

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 (2008)

Refugees and internally displaced persons

122,964 (Colombia) (2012)

refugees (country of origin)

122,964 (Colombia) (2012)