Countries, Compared

Ecuador

Ecuador sits on the northwestern coast of South America, straddling the equator.

Countries, Compared: country research and comparison

Ecuador sits on the northwestern coast of South America, straddling the equator. In international statistical classification it carries UN M49 code 218, ISO alpha-2 code EC, and ISO alpha-3 code ECU. The UN places it in region Americas, subregion Latin America and the Caribbean, and lists it as a UN member state. The World Bank’s capital field for Ecuador is Quito. These identifiers are administrative and statistical facts maintained by the United Nations Statistics Division (UNSD) and the World Bank; they are not political claims about sovereignty or territorial boundaries.

Below you will find the stable classification identifiers for Ecuador, followed by a method for verifying the volatile facts: headcounts, languages, currency, government form, economic indicators and travel requirements. Every figure carries a named source and a reference year. When you compare Ecuador with another nation, use the country comparison guide. When you need to judge whether a statistic is trustworthy, use the source-literacy guide.

Classification facts (stable)

Field Value
UN M49 code 218
ISO alpha-2 EC
ISO alpha-3 ECU
UN region Americas
UN subregion Latin America and the Caribbean
UN member state Yes
World Bank capital field Quito

These identifiers are administrative labels maintained by the United Nations Statistics Division (UNSD) and the International Organization for Standardization. The UN M49 overview is at The World Bank API at returns the same country code set plus economic indicators. The capital listed by the World Bank is Quito. The classification is statistical, not a political or territorial claim: it does not settle any dispute about boundaries, sovereignty or language status.

How to read a country profile

A country profile is a snapshot, not a verdict. The numbers below are reference points with sources and years attached, not permanent facts. Ecuador’s headcount, GDP and rankings change every year, and different agencies use different definitions. When you compare Ecuador with another place, always check that the data come from the same source, the same year and the same measurement method (for example, nominal GDP versus GDP at purchasing power parity). If a figure appears without a source and a year, treat it as unverified.

Stable identifiers and reference data

The IANA time zone is America/Guayaquil. The internet TLD is .ec. The calling code is +593. Time zone detail: UTC−5 on the mainland, UTC−6 in the Galápagos. The official name is República del Ecuador. Key institutions include INEC (Instituto Nacional de Estadística y Censos), Banco Central del Ecuador and the Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores y Movilidad Humana.

How to get current facts, not frozen ones

Headcounts, languages, currency, government form, GDP and visa rules change. No single page can publish them once and remain correct. Treat every number as a snapshot with a source and a reference year.

Population and demographics

  • Current estimates: The UN Population Division publishes annual estimates and projections. The World Bank also publishes population series in its API. For the latest figure, check the World Bank country API for Ecuador: The reference year is stated in the API response.
  • Census benchmark: The 2022 census from INEC reported 17.8 million people. Use this as a fixed reference point and compare it with the UN or World Bank annual updates.
  • Median age: 28.6 years (UN World Population Prospects, 2024 revision). The CIA World Factbook 2024 estimate reports 28.2 years.
  • Urban share: 64.5% of the total (World Bank, 2023). Earlier World Bank figures show 64.4% for 2023 and 64.6% for 2023; always note the exact reference year.

Language and currency

  • Languages: The 2008 Constitution does not designate a single national language. Spanish is the predominant language. Kichwa and Shuar are official languages for intercultural relations under Article 2. Language policy details change; verify through the current constitution or an official government text.
  • Currency: The official currency is the United States dollar (USD). Ecuador adopted the U.S. dollar in 2000. Ecuador does not issue its own paper money but mints its own coins. Verify current legal tender status through the Central Bank of Ecuador (Banco Central del Ecuador) or the U.S. Federal Reserve’s foreign exchange page.

Government and economy

  • Government: A unitary presidential republic. The current constitution dates from 2008. For the current president, official results and government structure, consult the official portal of the Government of Ecuador and the National Electoral Council (Consejo Nacional Electoral).
  • Economy: The World Bank classifies Ecuador as upper middle income (FY2025). The economy rests on oil exports, agriculture (bananas, flowers, shrimp), remittances and tourism. The World Bank and IMF publish annual GDP, GDP per capita, inflation and poverty estimates. Always cite the dataset year and the exact indicator definition; figures are revised.
  • Key economic indicators (snapshots):
  • GDP per capita (PPP): 13,014 international dollars (World Bank, 2023). Also reported as 13,665 and 13,811.4 current international dollars in different World Bank releases for the same year; always match the indicator code.
  • GDP per capita (nominal): 6,391 USD (World Bank, 2023). Another World Bank 2023 figure is 6,732.2 current US dollars.
  • Gini index: 45.0 (World Bank, 2022). Other World Bank 2022 releases report 45.7 and 47.3. Note the exact dataset.
  • Life expectancy at birth: 77.9 years (World Bank, 2022). An earlier World Bank 2022 figure is 75.0 years.
  • Infant mortality rate: 12.1 per 1,000 live births (World Bank, 2022). Another 2022 World Bank figure is 11.2.
  • Literacy rate: 93.6% of adults aged 15+ (World Bank, 2022, based on national data).
  • Internet penetration: 73.4% of the populace (World Bank, 2022). ITU 2023 reports 72.9%.
  • CO2 emissions per capita: 2.2 metric tons (World Bank, 2020). Another World Bank 2020 figure is 2.1.
  • Surface area: 256,370 sq km (World Bank, 2021). A separate World Bank 2021 entry lists 283,561 km².
  • HDI rank: 90 (UNDP, 2022).

Travel requirements

Visa policy is set by Ecuador’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the IATA Travel Centre. Your own government’s travel advisory is the authoritative source for current entry rules, safety and health requirements. Check both before booking. Entry rules for the Galápagos differ from the mainland; confirm the separate Galápagos transit control card and any biosecurity inspection requirements with your carrier or the Ecuadorian ministry.

Quick-reference summary

  • UN M49: 218; ISO alpha-2: EC; ISO alpha-3: ECU; UN region: Americas; UN subregion: Latin America and the Caribbean; UN member state.
  • Capital: Quito (World Bank capital field).
  • Currency: United States dollar (USD), legal tender since 2000.
  • Government: Unitary presidential republic.
  • Internet TLD: .ec. Calling code: +593. Time zones: UTC−5 (mainland), UTC−6 (Galápagos).

The nation is a member of the United Nations. The World Bank country page URL is