Ecuador
Republic of Ecuador
Current Population (Live)
Annual Growth Rate: +1.01%
Ecuador is a South America country of around 18.1 million residents, placing it above the global median in population. The country extends across 276,841 km², translating to a density of 65 people per km². Its capital is Quito, and Spanish is the official language, while the United States dollar serves as the national currency.
Population
18,103,660
Area
276,841 km²
Density
65/km²
World Rank
#70
Population Trend (1960-2050)
Historical data from 1960 to present with projections to 2050.
Annual Growth Rate by Period
Population growth has effectively stalled at 0% annually, suggesting the country is approaching or has reached a demographic plateau. Births occur at 15 per thousand against deaths at 5.1 per thousand, yielding a moderate natural surplus. The age distribution is relatively balanced, with 24.5% of residents under 15 and 8.3% over 65.
General Information
- Capital
- Quito
- Region
- Americas
- Subregion
- South America
- Continent
- South America
- Languages
- Spanish
- Currencies
- United States dollar ($)
- Calling Code
- +593
- Top-Level Domain
- .ec
- Landlocked
- No
- UN Member
- Yes
- Timezones
- UTC-06:00, UTC-05:00
Population Details
- Total Population
- 18,103,660
- Land Area
- 276,841 km²
- Population Density
- 65 per km²
- Annual Growth Rate
- +1.01%
- Annual Growth
- +182,847 people
- Daily Growth
- +501 people
- World Population Share
- 0.22%
- Coordinates
- -2.00°, -77.50°
Global Population Share
Demographics & Economy
GDP per capita stands at approximately $6.9k, placing the economy in the upper-middle-income category—below the global average of $12.5k. Unemployment sits at 3.3%, below the global average of 5.8%. A Gini index of 45.2 signals substantial income inequality, suggesting that economic gains are concentrated among a smaller share of the population.
Life Expectancy
77.4 years
GDP per Capita
$6,875
Birth Rate
15.0 per 1,000
Death Rate
5.1 per 1,000
Urban Population
63.2%
Fertility Rate
1.82 births/woman
Infant Mortality
11.1 per 1,000
Unemployment
3.3%
Literacy Rate
96.3%
Internet Users
77.2%
Under 15
24.5%
Over 65
8.3%
Health Spending
7.6% GDP
Gini Index
45.2
Age Distribution
0-14 years
4.4M
15-64 years
12.2M
65+ years
1.5M
Urbanization
About 63.2% of the population is urban, indicating a society in the midst of a rural-to-urban transition. The capital, Quito, remains the primary hub for government and commerce. Net emigration of 17219.0 per thousand is thinning rural areas in particular, accelerating the concentration of population in cities.
11.4M
63.2%
6.7M
36.8%
Health & Education Indicators
Average life expectancy of 77.4 years is roughly in line with the global benchmark of 72.8. Infant mortality stands at 11.1 per thousand live births, significantly higher than the global average. The literacy rate of 96.3% is roughly in line with the world average, reflecting the current state of educational investment.
Life Expectancy
World avg: 72.8
Fertility Rate
World avg: 2.3
Infant Mortality
World avg: 27.5
Literacy Rate
World avg: 86.7
Internet Users
World avg: 63
Major Cities in Ecuador
Ecuador has 17 cities with a population over 100,000. Click on markers to see details.
Population Projections (2026-2050)
Near-zero growth suggests that Ecuador is entering a period of demographic stability—or, depending on policy responses, the early stages of decline. Below-replacement fertility of 1.8 births per woman means natural growth alone cannot sustain the current population level indefinitely. As a United Nations member state, Ecuador participates in global discussions on sustainable development that will shape its demographic future.
| Year | Projected Population |
|---|---|
| 2026 | 18,103,660 |
| 2030 | 18,834,799 |
| 2035 | 19,766,018 |
| 2040 | 20,718,645 |
| 2045 | 21,695,032 |
| 2050 | 22,697,527 |
Population History (1960-2026)
Year-by-year population data, growth rates, and trends for Ecuador.
Largest Cities in Ecuador
Explore the biggest cities and urban centers in Ecuador by population.
Neighboring Countries
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Ecuador?
The population of Ecuador is approximately 18.1 million as of 2026, making it #70 in the world by population.
What is the capital of Ecuador?
The capital of Ecuador is Quito.
What languages are spoken in Ecuador?
The main languages spoken in Ecuador are Spanish.
How big is Ecuador?
Ecuador covers an area of 276,841 km² with a population density of 65 people per km².
Is Ecuador growing or shrinking?
Ecuador is growing at a rate of 1.01% per year, adding approximately 182,847 people annually.
What is the life expectancy in Ecuador?
The average life expectancy in Ecuador is 77.4 years.
What is the GDP per capita of Ecuador?
The GDP per capita of Ecuador is $6,875.