2016 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 reelected President Rafael CORREA.

Area

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

land

276,841 sq km

note

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

1,117 m lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: Chimborazo 6,267 m 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

elevation extremes

lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m

highest point

Chimborazo 6,267 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

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

Geographic coordinates

2 00 S, 77 30 W

Geography - note

Cotopaxi in Andes is highest active volcano in world

Irrigated land

15,000 sq km (2012)

Land boundaries

2,237 km Colombia 708 km, Peru 1,529 km

border countries (2)

Colombia 708 km, Peru 1,529 km

total

2,237 km

Land use

29.7% arable land 4.7%; permanent crops 5.6%; permanent pasture 19.4% 38.9% 31.4% (2011 est.)

agricultural land

29.7%

forest

38.9%

other

31.4% (2011 est.)

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

Population - distribution

nearly half of the population is concentrated in the interior in the Andean intermontane basins and valleys, with large concentrations also found along the western coastal strip; the rainforests of the east remain sparsely populated

Terrain

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

Age structure

27.52% (male 2,257,535/female 2,168,198) 18.47% (male 1,508,341/female 1,461,207) 39.38% (male 3,086,599/female 3,245,266) 7.39% (male 581,560/female 606,821) 7.25% (male 554,371/female 610,880) (2016 est.)

0-14 years

27.52% (male 2,257,535/female 2,168,198)

15-24 years

18.47% (male 1,508,341/female 1,461,207)

25-54 years

39.38% (male 3,086,599/female 3,245,266)

55-64 years

7.39% (male 581,560/female 606,821)

65 years and over

7.25% (male 554,371/female 610,880) (2016 est.)

Birth rate

18.2 births/1,000 population (2016 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

6.4% (2013)

Death rate

5.1 deaths/1,000 population (2016 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

55.6% 45.1% 10.4% 9.6% (2015 est.)

elderly dependency ratio

10.4%

potential support ratio

9.6% (2015 est.)

total dependency ratio

55.6%

youth dependency ratio

45.1%

Drinking water source

urban: 93.4% of population rural: 75.5% of population total: 86.9% of population urban: 6.6% of population rural: 24.5% of population total: 13.1% of population (2015 est.)

rural

24.5% of population

total

13.1% of population (2015 est.)

urban

6.6% of population

Education expenditures

4.2% of GDP (2012)

Ethnic groups

mestizo (mixed Amerindian and white) 71.9%, Montubio 7.4%, Amerindian 7%, white 6.1%, Afroecuadorian 4.3%, mulato 1.9%, black 1%, other 0.4% (2010 est.)

Health expenditures

9.2% of GDP (2014)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

0.29% (2015 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths

900 (2015 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

29,100 (2015 est.)

Hospital bed density

1.6 beds/1,000 population (2011)

Infant mortality rate

16.9 deaths/1,000 live births 19.9 deaths/1,000 live births 13.7 deaths/1,000 live births (2016 est.)

female

13.7 deaths/1,000 live births (2016 est.)

male

19.9 deaths/1,000 live births

total

16.9 deaths/1,000 live births

Languages

Spanish (Castilian) 93% (official), Quechua 4.1%, other indigenous 0.7%, foreign 2.2% (Quechua and Shuar are official languages of intercultural relations; other indigenous languages are in official use by indigenous peoples in the areas they inhabit) (2010 est.)

note

(Quechua and Shuar are official languages of intercultural relations; other indigenous languages are in official use by indigenous peoples in the areas they inhabit) (2010 est.)

Life expectancy at birth

76.8 years 73.8 years 79.9 years (2016 est.)

female

79.9 years (2016 est.)

male

73.8 years

total population

76.8 years

Literacy

age 15 and over can read and write 94.5% 95.4% 93.5% (2015 est.)

definition

age 15 and over can read and write

female

93.5% (2015 est.)

male

95.4%

total population

94.5%

Major infectious diseases

high bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever dengue fever and malaria active local transmission of Zika virus by Aedes species mosquitoes has been identified in this country (as of August 2016); it poses an important risk (a large number of cases possible) among US citizens if bitten by an infective mosquito; other less common ways to get Zika are through sex, via blood transfusion, or during pregnancy, in which the pregnant woman passes Zika virus to her fetus (2016)

degree of risk

high

food or waterborne diseases

bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever

note

active local transmission of Zika virus by Aedes species mosquitoes has been identified in this country (as of August 2016); it poses an important risk (a large number of cases possible) among US citizens if bitten by an infective mosquito; other less common ways to get Zika are through sex, via blood transfusion, or during pregnancy, in which the pregnant woman passes Zika virus to her fetus (2016)

vectorborne diseases

dengue fever and malaria

Major urban areas - population

Guayaquil 2.709 million; QUITO (capital) 1.726 million (2015)

Maternal mortality rate

64 deaths/100,000 live births (2015 est.)

Median age

27.4 years 26.7 years 28.1 years (2016 est.)

female

28.1 years (2016 est.)

male

26.7 years

total

27.4 years

Nationality

Ecuadorian(s) Ecuadorian

adjective

Ecuadorian

noun

Ecuadorian(s)

Net migration rate

0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2016 est.)

Obesity - adult prevalence rate

18% (2014)

Physicians density

1.72 physicians/1,000 population (2011)

Population

16,080,778 (July 2016 est.)

Population distribution

nearly half of the population is concentrated in the interior in the Andean intermontane basins and valleys, with large concentrations also found along the western coastal strip; the rainforests of the east remain sparsely populated

Population growth rate

1.31% (2016 est.)

Religions

Roman Catholic 74%, Evangelical 10.4%, Jehovah's Witness 1.2%, other 6.4% (includes Mormon Buddhist, Jewish, Spiritualist, Muslim, Hindu, indigenous religions, African American religions, Pentecostal), atheist 7.9%, agnostic 0.1% data represents persons at least 16 years of age from five Ecuadoran cities (2012 est.)

note

data represents persons at least 16 years of age from five Ecuadoran cities (2012 est.)

Sanitation facility access

urban: 87% of population rural: 80.7% of population total: 84.7% of population urban: 13% of population rural: 19.3% of population total: 15.3% of population (2015 est.)

rural

19.3% of population

total

15.3% of population (2015 est.)

urban

13% of population

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

14 years 14 years 15 years (2012)

female

15 years (2012)

male

14 years

total

14 years

Sex ratio

1.05 male(s)/female 1.04 male(s)/female 1.03 male(s)/female 0.95 male(s)/female 0.96 male(s)/female 0.91 male(s)/female 0.99 male(s)/female (2016 est.)

0-14 years

1.04 male(s)/female

15-24 years

1.03 male(s)/female

25-54 years

0.95 male(s)/female

55-64 years

0.96 male(s)/female

65 years and over

0.91 male(s)/female

at birth

1.05 male(s)/female

total population

0.99 male(s)/female (2016 est.)

Total fertility rate

2.22 children born/woman (2016 est.)

Unemployment, youth ages 15-24

10.9% 8.4% 15.7% (2013 est.)

female

15.7% (2013 est.)

male

8.4%

total

10.9%

Urbanization

63.7% of total population (2015) 1.9% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

rate of urbanization

1.9% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

urban population

63.7% of total population (2015)

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)

Citizenship

yes yes no 3 years

citizenship by birth

yes

citizenship by descent

yes

dual citizenship recognized

no

residency requirement for naturalization

3 years

Constitution

many previous; latest approved 20 October 2008; amended 2011; note - a 2015 constitutional amendment lifting presidential term limits becomes effective in 2021 (2016)

Country name

Republic of Ecuador Ecuador Republica del Ecuador Ecuador the country's position on the globe, straddling the Equator, accounts for its Spanish name

conventional long form

Republic of Ecuador

conventional short form

Ecuador

etymology

the country's position on the globe, straddling the Equator, accounts for its Spanish name

local long form

Republica del Ecuador

local short form

Ecuador

Diplomatic representation from the US

Ambassador Todd CHAPMAN (since 14 April 2016) 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 Todd CHAPMAN (since 14 April 2016)

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 Jose Francisco BORJA Cevallos (since 18 May 2015) 2535 15th Street NW, Washington, DC 20009 [1] (202) 234-7200 [1] (202) 667-3482 Atlanta, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, Minneapolis, New Haven (CT), New Orleans, New York, Newark (NJ), Phoenix, San Francisco

chancery

2535 15th Street NW, Washington, DC 20009

chief of mission

Ambassador Jose Francisco BORJA Cevallos (since 18 May 2015)

consulate(s) general

Atlanta, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, Minneapolis, New Haven (CT), New Orleans, New York, Newark (NJ), Phoenix, San Francisco

FAX

[1] (202) 667-3482

telephone

[1] (202) 234-7200

Executive branch

President Rafael CORREA Delgado (since 15 January 2007); Vice President Jorge GLAS Espinel (since 24 May 2013); note - the president is both chief of state and head of government President Rafael CORREA Delgado (since 15 January 2007); Vice President Jorge GLAS Espinel (since 24 May 2013) Cabinet appointed by the president 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); 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 (Alianza PAIS Movement) 57.2%, Guillermo LASSO (CREO) 22.7%, Lucio GUTIERREZ (PSP) 6.8%, Mauricio RODAS (SUMA) 3.9%, other 9.4%

cabinet

Cabinet appointed by the president

chief of state

President Rafael CORREA Delgado (since 15 January 2007); Vice President Jorge GLAS Espinel (since 24 May 2013); note - the president is both chief of state and head of government

election results

President Rafael CORREA Delgado reelected president; percent of vote - Rafael CORREA Delgado (Alianza PAIS Movement) 57.2%, Guillermo LASSO (CREO) 22.7%, Lucio GUTIERREZ (PSP) 6.8%, Mauricio RODAS (SUMA) 3.9%, other 9.4%

elections/appointments

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); 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 Jorge GLAS Espinel (since 24 May 2013)

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 Colombia, 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

note

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

Government type

presidential 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), 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, SICA (observer), UN, UNAMID, UNASUR, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, Union Latina, UNISFA, 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 the chief justice and organized into 5 specialized chambers); Constitutional Court or Corte Constitucional (consists of 9 judges) justices of National Court of Justice elected by the Judiciary Council, a 9-member independent body of law professionals; judges elected for 9-year, non-renewable terms, with one-third of the membership renewed every 3 years; Constitutional Court judges appointed by the executive, legislative, and Citizen Participation branches of government; judges appointed for 9-year non-renewable terms with one-third of the membership renewed every 3 years Fiscal Tribunal; Election Dispute Settlement Courts, provincial courts (one for each province); cantonal courts

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 9 judges)

judge selection and term of office

justices of National Court of Justice elected by the Judiciary Council, a 9-member independent body of law professionals; judges elected for 9-year, non-renewable terms, with one-third of the membership renewed every 3 years; Constitutional Court judges appointed by the executive, legislative, and Citizen Participation branches of government; judges appointed for 9-year non-renewable terms with one-third of the membership renewed every 3 years

subordinate courts

Fiscal Tribunal; Election Dispute Settlement Courts, provincial courts (one for each province); cantonal courts

Legal system

civil law based on the Chilean civil code with modifications; traditional law in indigenous communities

Legislative branch

unicameral National Assembly or Asamblea Nacional (137 seats; 116 members directly elected in single-seat constituencies by simple majority vote, 15 members directly elected in a single nationwide constituency by proportional representation vote, and 6 directly elected in multi-seat constituencies for Ecuadorians living abroad by simple majority vote; members serve 4-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

description

unicameral National Assembly or Asamblea Nacional (137 seats; 116 members directly elected in single-seat constituencies by simple majority vote, 15 members directly elected in a single nationwide constituency by proportional representation vote, and 6 directly elected in multi-seat constituencies for Ecuadorians living abroad by simple majority vote; members serve 4-year terms)

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)

note

adopted 1948; Juan Leon MERA wrote the lyrics in 1865; only the chorus and second verse are sung

National holiday

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

National symbol(s)

Andean condor; national colors: yellow, blue, red

Andean condor; national colors

yellow, blue, red

Political parties and leaders

Alianza PAIS movement [Rafael Vicente CORREA Delgado] Avanza Party or AVANZA [Ramiro GONZALEZ] 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] Popular Democracy Movement or MPD [Luis VILLACIS] Roldosist Party or PRE Social Christian Party or PSC [Pascual DEL CIOPPO] Socialist Party [Fabian SOLANO] 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, voluntary

Agriculture - products

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

Budget

$33.59 billion $38.68 billion (2015 est.)

expenditures

$38.68 billion (2015 est.)

revenues

$33.59 billion

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

-5.2% of GDP (2015 est.)

Central bank discount rate

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

Commercial bank prime lending rate

8.33% (31 December 2015 est.) 8.12% (31 December 2014 est.)

Current account balance

-$2.819 billion (2015 est.) -$567 million (2014 est.)

Debt - external

$30.79 billion (31 December 2015 est.) $26.33 billion (31 December 2014 est.)

Distribution of family income - Gini index

48.5 (December 2013) 50.5 (December 2010) data are for urban households

note

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 25% 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. The economy grew an average of 4.3% per year from 2002 to 2006, 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 Delgado, 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 US - have generated economic uncertainty and discouraged private investment. 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 $9.9 billion in forward oil sales, project financing, and budget support loans as of December 2013. The level of foreign investment in Ecuador continues to be one of the lowest in the region as a result of an unstable regulatory environment, weak rule of law, and the crowding-out effect of public investments. Faced with a 2013 trade deficit of $1.1 billion, Ecuador erected technical barriers to trade in December 2013, causing tensions with its largest trading partners. Ecuador also decriminalized intellectual property rights violations in February 2014. In March, 2015 Ecuador imposed tariff surcharges for 15 months from 5% to 45% on an estimated 32% of imports. In 2014, oil output increased slightly and production remained steady in 2015. In 2015, however, lower oil prices forced CORREA to cut the budget twice, and the government has considered further budget and subsidy cuts for 2016.

Exchange rates

the US dollar became Ecuador's currency in 2001

Exports

$19.05 billion (2015 est.) $26.6 billion (2014 est.)

Exports - commodities

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

Exports - partners

US 39.5%, Chile 6.2%, Peru 5.1%, Vietnam 4.3%, Colombia 4.3% (2015)

Fiscal year

calendar year

GDP - composition, by end use

61% 14.6% 27% 0.4% 21.1% -24.1% (2015 est.)

exports of goods and services

21.1%

government consumption

14.6%

household consumption

61%

imports of goods and services

-24.1% (2015 est.)

investment in fixed capital

27%

investment in inventories

0.4%

GDP - composition, by sector of origin

6.1% 34.1% 59.7% (2015 est.)

agriculture

6.1%

industry

34.1%

services

59.7% (2015 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$11,300 (2015 est.) $11,400 (2014 est.) $11,200 (2013 est.) data are in 2015 US dollars

note

data are in 2015 US dollars

GDP - real growth rate

0% (2015 est.) 3.7% (2014 est.) 4.6% (2013 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$98.83 billion (2015 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$183.4 billion (2015 est.) $183.3 billion (2014 est.) $176.8 billion (2013 est.) data are in 2015 US dollars

note

data are in 2015 US dollars

Gross national saving

25.2% of GDP (2015 est.) 28.1% of GDP (2014 est.) 27.8% of GDP (2013 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share

1.4% 35.4% data for urban households only (2012 est.)

highest 10%

35.4%

lowest 10%

1.4%

note

data for urban households only (2012 est.)

Imports

$20.7 billion (2015 est.) $26.66 billion (2014 est.)

Imports - commodities

industrial materials, fuels and lubricants, nondurable consumer goods

Imports - partners

US 27.1%, China 15.3%, Colombia 8.3%, Panama 4.9% (2015)

Industrial production growth rate

0.3% excludes oil refining (2015 est.)

note

excludes oil refining (2015 est.)

Industries

petroleum, food processing, textiles, wood products, chemicals

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

4% (2015 est.) 3.6% (2014 est.)

Labor force

4.873 million (2015 est.)

Labor force - by occupation

27.8% 17.8% 54.4% (2012)

agriculture

27.8%

industry

17.8%

services

54.4% (2012)

Market value of publicly traded shares

$5.911 billion (31 December 2012 est.) $5.779 billion (31 December 2011 est.) $5.263 billion (31 December 2010 est.)

Population below poverty line

25.6% (December 2013 est)

Public debt

30.5% of GDP (2015 est.) 27.7% of GDP (2014 est.)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$2.496 billion (31 December 2015 est.) $3.949 billion (31 December 2014 est.)

Stock of broad money

$34.53 billion (31 December 2014 est.) $28.44 billion (31 December 2013 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

$15.63 billion (31 December 2015 est.) $14.57 billion (31 December 2014 est.)

Stock of domestic credit

$33.4 billion (31 December 2015 est.) $31.97 billion (31 December 2014 est.)

Stock of narrow money

$9.527 billion (31 December 2015 est.) $9.531 billion (31 December 2014 est.)

Taxes and other revenues

34% of GDP (2015 est.)

Unemployment rate

4.3% (2015 est.) 4.3% (2014 est.)

Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy

38 million Mt (2013 est.)

Crude oil - exports

378,000 bbl/day (2013 est.)

Crude oil - imports

0 bbl/day (2013 est.)

Crude oil - production

543,100 bbl/day (2015 est.)

Crude oil - proved reserves

8.832 billion bbl (1 January 2016 es)

Electricity - consumption

21 billion kWh (2014 est.)

Electricity - exports

47 million kWh (2014 est.)

Electricity - from fossil fuels

57.3% of total installed capacity (2012 est.)

Electricity - from hydroelectric plants

41.5% of total installed capacity (2012 est.)

Electricity - from nuclear fuels

0% of total installed capacity (2012 est.)

Electricity - from other renewable sources

1.1% of total installed capacity (2012 est.)

Electricity - imports

800 million kWh (2014 est.)

Electricity - installed generating capacity

6.3 million kW (2014 est.)

Electricity - production

23 billion kWh (2014 est.)

Electricity access

500,000 97% 100% 92% (2013)

electrification - rural areas

92% (2013)

electrification - total population

97%

electrification - urban areas

100%

population without electricity

500,000

Natural gas - consumption

578 million cu m (2014 est.)

Natural gas - exports

0 cu m (2013 est.)

Natural gas - imports

0 cu m (2013 est.)

Natural gas - production

578 million cu m (2014 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves

10.99 billion cu m (1 January 2016 es)

Refined petroleum products - consumption

282,000 bbl/day (2014 est.)

Refined petroleum products - exports

22,890 bbl/day (2013 est.)

Refined petroleum products - imports

133,300 bbl/day (2013 est.)

Refined petroleum products - production

207,300 bbl/day (2013 est.)

Broadcast media

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 users

7.766 million 48.9% (July 2015 est.)

percent of population

48.9% (July 2015 est.)

total

7.766 million

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 80 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) (2015)

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 80 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) (2015)

Telephones - fixed lines

2,512,657 16 (July 2015 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

16 (July 2015 est.)

total subscriptions

2,512,657

Telephones - mobile cellular

12.888 million 81 (July 2015 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

81 (July 2015 est.)

total

12.888 million

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

under 914 m

291 (2013)

Civil aircraft registration country code prefix

HC (2016)

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)

by type

cargo 1, chemical tanker 4, liquefied gas 1, passenger 9, petroleum tanker 28, refrigerated cargo 1

registered in other countries

4 (Panama 3, Peru 1) (2010)

total

44

National air transport system

5,762,485 86,128,720 mt-km (2015)

annual freight traffic on registered air carriers

86,128,720 mt-km (2015)

annual passenger traffic on registered air carriers

5,762,485

inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers

35

number of registered air carriers

7

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) Guayaquil (1,405,762)

container port(s) (TEUs)

Guayaquil (1,405,762)

major seaport(s)

Esmeraldas, Manta, Puerto Bolivar

river port(s)

Guayaquil (Guayas)

Railways

965 km 965 km 1.067-m gauge (2014)

narrow gauge

965 km 1.067-m gauge (2014)

total

965 km

Roadways

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

paved

6,472 km

total

43,670 km

unpaved

37,198 km (2007)

Transportation - note

the International Maritime Bureau continues to report the territorial and offshore waters as at risk for piracy and armed robbery against ships; vessels, including commercial shipping and pleasure craft, have been attacked and hijacked both at anchor and while underway; crews have been robbed and stores or cargoes stolen

Waterways

1,500 km (most inaccessible) (2012)

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

2.83% of GDP (2012) 3.2% of GDP (2011) 2.83% of GDP (2010)

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, Ecuadorian 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

120,685 (Colombia) (2015) 28,775 (earthquake April 2016) (2016)

IDPs

28,775 (earthquake April 2016) (2016)

refugees (country of origin)

120,685 (Colombia) (2015)