Page last updated on January 31, 2014

Introduction:
Background:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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.
Geography:
Location:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Western South America, bordering the Pacific Ocean at the Equator, between Colombia and Peru
Geographic coordinates:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
2 00 S, 77 30 W
Map references:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
South America
Area:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 283,561 sq km
country comparison to the world: 74
land: 276,841 sq km
water: 6,720 sq km
note: includes Galapagos Islands
Area - comparative:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
slightly smaller than Nevada
Land boundaries:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 2,010 km
border countries: Colombia 590 km, Peru 1,420 km
Coastline:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
2,237 km
Maritime claims:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
territorial sea: 200 nm
continental shelf: 100 nm from 2,500-m isobath
Climate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
tropical along coast, becoming cooler inland at higher elevations; tropical in Amazonian jungle lowlands
Terrain:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
coastal plain (costa), inter-Andean central highlands (sierra), and flat to rolling eastern jungle (oriente)
Elevation extremes:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m
highest point: Chimborazo 6,267 m
note: 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
Natural resources:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
petroleum, fish, timber, hydropower
Land use:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
arable land: 4.51%
permanent crops: 5.38%
other: 90.11% (2011)
Irrigated land:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
8,534 sq km (2003)
Total renewable water resources:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
424.4 cu km (2011)
Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 9.92 cu km/yr (13%/6%/81%)
per capita: 716.1 cu m/yr (2005)
Natural hazards:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
frequent earthquakes; landslides; volcanic activity; floods; periodic droughts
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
Environment - current issues:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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
Geography - note:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Cotopaxi in Andes is highest active volcano in world
People and Society:
Nationality:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
noun: Ecuadorian(s)
adjective: Ecuadorian
Ethnic groups:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
mestizo (mixed Amerindian and white) 71.9%, Montubio 7.4%, Afroecuadorian 7.2%, Amerindian 7%, white 6.1%, other 0.4% (2010 census)
Languages:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Spanish (official), indigenous (Quechua, Shuar)
Religions:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Roman Catholic 95%, other 5%
Demographic profile:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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.
Population:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
15,439,429 (July 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 68
Age structure:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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.)
population pyramid: "> Dependency ratios:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total dependency ratio: 57.4 %
youth dependency ratio: 47.2 %
elderly dependency ratio: 10.3 %
potential support ratio: 9.8 (2013)
Median age:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 26.3 years
male: 25.7 years
female: 26.9 years (2013 est.)
Population growth rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
1.4% (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 87
Birth rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
19.23 births/1,000 population (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 92
Death rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
5.03 deaths/1,000 population (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 185
Net migration rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
-0.25 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 122
Urbanization:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
urban population: 67% of total population (2010)
rate of urbanization: 2% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)
Major urban areas - population:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Guayaquil 2.634 million; QUITO (capital) 1.622 million (2011)
Sex ratio:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
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
total population: 0.99 male(s)/female (2013 est.)
Mother's mean age at first birth:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
21.8 (2004 est.)
Maternal mortality rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
110 deaths/100,000 live births (2010)
country comparison to the world: 67
Infant mortality rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 18.48 deaths/1,000 live births
country comparison to the world: 98
male: 21.73 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 15.07 deaths/1,000 live births (2013 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total population: 76.15 years
country comparison to the world: 84
male: 73.2 years
female: 79.25 years (2013 est.)
Total fertility rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
2.33 children born/woman (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 95
Contraceptive prevalence rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
72.7% (2004)
Health expenditures:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
7.3% of GDP (2011)
country comparison to the world: 79
Physicians density:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
1.69 physicians/1,000 population (2009)
Hospital bed density:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
1.6 beds/1,000 population (2010)
Drinking water source:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
improved:
unimproved:
Sanitation facility access:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
improved:
unimproved:
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0.4% (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 74
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
37,000 (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 63
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
2,200 (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 54
Major infectious diseases:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
degree of risk: high
food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever
vectorborne diseases: dengue fever and malaria (2013)
Obesity - adult prevalence rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
21.4% (2008)
country comparison to the world: 86
Children under the age of 5 years underweight:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
6.2% (2004)
country comparison to the world: 80
Education expenditures:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
4.9% of GDP (2010)
country comparison to the world: 79
Literacy:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 91.6%
male: 93.1%
female: 90.2% (2011 est.)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 14 years
male: 13 years
female: 14 years (2008)
Child labor - children ages 5-14:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total number: 227,599
percentage: 8 % (2008 est.)
Unemployment, youth ages 15-24:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 11.1%
country comparison to the world: 105
male: 9%
female: 15% (2011)
Government:
Country name:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
conventional long form: Republic of Ecuador
conventional short form: Ecuador
local long form: Republica del Ecuador
local short form: Ecuador
Government type:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
republic
Capital:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
name: Quito
geographic coordinates: 0 13 S, 78 30 W
time difference: UTC-5 (same time as Washington, DC during Standard Time)
Administrative divisions:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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
Independence:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
24 May 1822 (from Spain)
National holiday:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Independence Day (independence of Quito), 10 August (1809)
Constitution:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
many previous; latest approved 20 October 2008; amended 2011 (2011)
Legal system:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
civil law based on the Chilean civil code with modifications
International law organization participation:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction
Suffrage:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
18-65 years of age, universal and compulsory; 16-18, over 65, and other eligible voters, optional
Executive branch:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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
head of government: President Rafael CORREA Delgado (since 15 January 2007); Vice President Lenin MORENO Garces (since 15 January 2007)
cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president
(For more information visit the World Leaders website )
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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)
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%
Legislative branch:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
unicameral National Assembly or Asamblea Nacional (137 seats; members are elected through a party-list proportional representation system to serve four-year terms)
elections: last held on 17 February 2013 (next to be held in 2017)
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
Judicial branch:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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
Political parties and leaders:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Alianza PAIS movement [Rafael Vicente CORREA Delgado]
Political pressure groups and leaders:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Confederation of Indigenous Nationalities of Ecuador or CONAIE [Humberto CHOLANGO]
International organization participation:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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
Diplomatic representation in the US:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
chief of mission: Ambassador Saskia Nathalie CELY Suarez (since 2 December 2011)
chancery: 1050 30th Street, NW, Washington, DC 20007
telephone: [1] (202) 465-8140
FAX: [1] (202) 333-2893
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)
Diplomatic representation from the US:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
chief of mission: Ambassador Adam E. NAMM (since 26 April 2012)
embassy: Avenida Avigiras E12-170 y Avenida Eloy Alfaro, Quito
mailing address: Avenida Guayacanes N52-205 y Avenida Avigiras
telephone: [593] (2) 398-5000
FAX: [593] (2) 398-5100
consulate(s) general: Guayaquil
Flag description:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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
note: similar to the flag of Colombia, which is shorter and does not bear a coat of arms
National symbol(s):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Andean condor
National anthem:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
name: "Salve, Oh Patria!" (We Salute You Our Homeland)
lyrics/music: Juan Leon MERA/Antonio NEUMANE
note: adopted 1948; Juan Leon MERA wrote the lyrics in 1865; only the chorus and second verse are sung
Economy:
Economy - overview:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$149.5 billion (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 62
note: data are in 2012 US dollars
GDP (official exchange rate):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$82.9 billion (2012 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
5.1% (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 67
GDP - per capita (PPP):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$10,200 (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 117
note: data are in 2012 US dollars
Gross national saving:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
27.3% of GDP (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 36
GDP - composition, by end use:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
household consumption: 61.1%
government consumption: 13.5%
investment in fixed capital: 26.6%
investment in inventories: 0.9%
exports of goods and services: 31.2%
imports of goods and services: -33.2%
GDP - composition, by sector of origin:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
agriculture: 5.9%
industry: 35.2%
services: 58.8% (2012 est.)
Agriculture - products:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
bananas, coffee, cocoa, rice, potatoes, manioc (tapioca), plantains, sugarcane; cattle, sheep, pigs, beef, pork, dairy products; fish, shrimp; balsa wood
Industries:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
petroleum, food processing, textiles, wood products, chemicals
Industrial production growth rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
5.6%
country comparison to the world: 48
note: excludes oil refining (2012 est.)
Labor force:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
4.769 million (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 81
Labor force - by occupation:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
agriculture: 27.6%
industry: 18.8%
services: 53.6% (2010 est.)
Unemployment rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
4.9% (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 43
Population below poverty line:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
27.3% (December 2012 est)
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
lowest 10%: 1.4%
highest 10%: 38.3%
note: data for urban households only (2010 est.)
Distribution of family income - Gini index:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
47.7 (December 2012)
country comparison to the world: 27
note: data are for urban households
Budget:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
revenues: $34.53 billion
expenditures: $35.48 billion (2012 est.)
Taxes and other revenues:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
41.7% of GDP (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 36
Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
-1.1% of GDP (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 65
Public debt:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
21% of GDP (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 129
Fiscal year:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
calendar year
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
5.1% (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 146
Central bank discount rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
8.17% (31 December 2011)
country comparison to the world: 30
Commercial bank prime lending rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
8.17% (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 112
Stock of narrow money:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$7.801 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 86
Stock of broad money:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$26.55 billion (31 December 2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 78
Stock of domestic credit:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$22.5 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 74
Market value of publicly traded shares:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$5.779 billion (31 December 2011)
country comparison to the world: 83
Current account balance:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$-177 million (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 78
Exports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$24.65 billion (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 72
Exports - commodities:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
petroleum, bananas, cut flowers, shrimp, cacao, coffee, wood, fish
Exports - partners:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
US 37.3%, Chile 8.1%, Peru 6.5%, Japan 4.5%, Russia 4.5%, Colombia 4% (2012)
Imports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$24.58 billion (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 70
Imports - commodities:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
industrial materials, fuels and lubricants, nondurable consumer goods
Imports - partners:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
US 28.4%, China 11.3%, Colombia 8.8%, Peru 4.5% (2012)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$2.483 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 117
Debt - external:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$17.68 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 81
Stock of direct foreign investment - at home:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$17.3 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 73
Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$6.33 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 62
Exchange rates:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
the US dollar became Ecuador's currency in 2001
Energy:
Electricity - production:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
21.84 billion kWh (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 70
Electricity - consumption:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
14.92 billion kWh (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 76
Electricity - exports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
14.1 million kWh (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 88
Electricity - imports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
1.3 billion kWh (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 60
Electricity - installed generating capacity:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
5.243 million kW (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 75
Electricity - from fossil fuels:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
55.3% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 142
Electricity - from nuclear fuels:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 78
Electricity - from hydroelectric plants:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
42.8% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 57
Electricity - from other renewable sources:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
2% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 65
Crude oil - production:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
504,500 bbl/day (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 31
Crude oil - exports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
366,000 bbl/day (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 22
Crude oil - imports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
154,000 bbl/day (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 39
Crude oil - proved reserves:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
8.24 billion bbl (1 January 2013 es)
country comparison to the world: 19
Refined petroleum products - production:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
198,700 bbl/day (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 55
Refined petroleum products - consumption:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
280,000 bbl/day (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 45
Refined petroleum products - exports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
28,000 bbl/day (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 70
Refined petroleum products - imports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
111,000 bbl/day (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 49
Natural gas - production:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
240 million cu m (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 76
Natural gas - consumption:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
330 million cu m (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 99
Natural gas - exports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 cu m (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 92
Natural gas - imports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
25,000 cu m (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 77
Natural gas - proved reserves:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
6.994 billion cu m (1 January 2013 es)
country comparison to the world: 86
Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
29.13 million Mt (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 76
Communications:
Telephones - main lines in use:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
2.31 million (2012)
country comparison to the world: 54
Telephones - mobile cellular:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
16.457 million (2012)
country comparison to the world: 56
Telephone system:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
general assessment: elementary fixed-line service, but increasingly sophisticated mobile-cellular network
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
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)
Broadcast media:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
.ec
Internet hosts:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
170,538 (2012)
country comparison to the world: 76
Internet users:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
3.352 million (2009)
country comparison to the world: 64
Transportation:
Airports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
432 (2013)
country comparison to the world: 20
Airports - with paved runways:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 104
over 3,047 m: 4
2,438 to 3,047 m: 5
1,524 to 2,437 m: 18
914 to 1,523 m: 26
under 914 m: 51 (2013)
Airports - with unpaved runways:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 328
914 to 1,523 m: 37
under 914 m:
Heliports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
2 (2013)
Pipelines:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
extra heavy crude 527 km; gas 71 km; oil 2,131 km; refined products 1,526 km (2013)
Railways:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 965 km
country comparison to the world: 90
narrow gauge: 965 km 1.067-m gauge (2008)
Roadways:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 43,670 km
country comparison to the world: 84
paved: 6,472 km
unpaved: 37,198 km (2007)
Waterways:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
1,500 km (most inaccessible) (2012)
country comparison to the world: 53
Merchant marine:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 44
country comparison to the world: 72
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)
Ports and terminals:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
major seaport(s): Esmeraldas, Manta, Puerto Bolivar
river port(s): Guayaquil (Guayas)
container port(s) (TEUs): Guayaquil (1,405,762)
Military:
Military branches:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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 service age and obligation:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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)
Manpower available for military service:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
males age 16-49: 3,728,906
females age 16-49: 3,844,918 (2010 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
males age 16-49: 2,834,213
females age 16-49: 3,269,535 (2010 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
male: 152,593
female: 147,143 (2010 est.)
Military expenditures:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
2.83% of GDP (2012)
country comparison to the world: 56
Transnational Issues:
Disputes - international:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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
Refugees and internally displaced persons:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
refugees (country of origin): 122,964 (Colombia) (2012)