Introduction
Background
The region known today as Ecuador was a Spanish colony until 1822 and became an independent republic in 1830. Between 1904 and 1942, Ecuador lost territory in conflicts with its neighbors. The country has been politically unstable for much of its recent history, with 20 constitutions since gaining independence.
Geography
Area
total : 283,561 sq km
land: 276,841 sq km
water: 6,720 sq km
Climate
tropical along coast, becoming cooler inland at higher elevations; tropical in Amazonian jungle lowlands
Natural resources
petroleum, fish, timber, hydropower
People and Society
Population
total: 18,309,984
Ethnic groups
Mestizo (mixed Indigenous and White) 77.5%, Montubio 7.7%, Indigenous 7.7%, White 2.2%, Afroecuadorian 2%, Mulatto 1.4%, Black 1.3%, other 0.1% (2022 est.)
Languages
Spanish (Castilian; official) 98.6%, indigenous 3.9% (Quechua 3.2%, other indigenous 0.7%), foreign 2.8%, other 0.6% (includes Ecuadorian sign language) (2022 est.)
Religions
Roman Catholic 68.2%, Protestant 19% (Evangelical 18.3%, Adventist 0.6%, other Protestant 0.2%), Jehovah's Witness 1.4%, other 2.3%, none 8.2% don't know/no response 1% (2023 est.)
Population growth rate
0.94% (2024 est.)
Government
Government type
presidential republic
Capital
name: Quito
Executive branch
chief of state: President Daniel NOBOA Azin (since 23 November 2023)
head of government: President Daniel NOBOA Azin (since 23 November 2023)
Legislative branch
summary: unicameral National Assembly (137 seats)
Diplomatic representation in the US
chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Chargé d'Affaires Maria Soledad PEÑA PLAZA (since 9 February 2024)
Diplomatic representation from the US
chief of mission: Ambassador Michael J. FITZPATRICK (since 3 July 2019)
Economy
Economic overview
highly informal South American economy; USD currency user; major banana exporter; hard hit by COVID-19; macroeconomic fragility from oil dependency; successful debt restructuring; China funding budget deficits; social unrest hampering economic activity
Real GDP (purchasing power parity)
$260.213 billion (2023 est.)
$254.226 billion (2022 est.)
$239.415 billion (2021 est.)
Real GDP per capita
$14,300 (2023 est.)
$14,100 (2022 est.)
$13,500 (2021 est.)
Exports
$34.64 billion (2023 est.)
$35.943 billion (2022 est.)
$29.037 billion (2021 est.)
Exports - partners
US 27%, China 17%, Panama 14%, Chile 4%, Colombia 3% (2022)
Exports - commodities
crude petroleum, shellfish, bananas, fish, refined petroleum (2022)
Imports
$34.447 billion (2023 est.)
$36.051 billion (2022 est.)
$28.128 billion (2021 est.)
Imports - partners
US 26%, China 23%, Colombia 6%, Peru 4%, Brazil 4% (2022)
Imports - commodities
refined petroleum, coal tar oil, cars, natural gas, soybean meal (2022)
Page last updated: Wednesday, September 04, 2024
