Country explorer: Ecuador

Ecuador's economy has demonstrated resilience and moderate growth, characterized by controlled inflation rates and lower unemployment compared to some of its regional peers, alongside significant reductions in poverty, reflecting steady socio-economic advancements.

Ecuador has undergone significant demographical changes characterized by a gradual population increase, a sharp spike in net migration since 2015, a decrease in fertility rates aligning with global trends, and an improvement in life expectancy, reflecting broader health and societal advancements similar to its regional peers.

Ecuador has made significant strides in improving access to basic needs, evidenced by increased access to clean fuels for cooking, electricity, and safely managed drinking water, though its progress in safely managed sanitation lags behind some of its regional peers, highlighting a nuanced path of development in addressing basic needs.

Ecuador has shown notable progress in human development, reflected by improvements in its Human Development Index, reduced child mortality rates, increased literacy rates, and advancements in learning-adjusted years of schooling, echoing similar positive trends observed in other upper-middle-income countries.

Ecuador has made significant strides in renewable energy production, notably in hydropower and other renewables, while experiencing a gradual decline in per capita CO₂ emissions, reflecting a transformative shift towards more sustainable energy sources amidst a backdrop of decreasing forest area and renewable freshwater resources, common challenges faced by many upper-middle-income countries.

Ecuador has experienced significant technological evolution, marked by steady increases in internet usage, mobile phone subscriptions, and growing albeit still modest investments in research and development alongside an impressive rise in scientific publication, all indicating a notable yet gradual shift towards embracing digital transformation and innovation within its societal and economic landscapes, characteristics it shares with many upper-middle-income countries but with distinctive surges in scientific output and connectivity enhancements.

Ecuador has experienced notable societal transformations, evidenced by progressive reductions in gender inequality, shifts in age dependency ratios reflecting demographic changes, an increase in the share of the population born abroad, signaling a growing diversity, and fluctuating life satisfaction scores that reflect the complex interplay of economic, social, and individual factors.

Ecuador has experienced significant governance challenges, marked by fluctuations in its adherence to the rule of law, perceptions of corruption, political civil liberties, and press freedom, portraying a complex struggle towards democratic stability and transparency that is reflective of broader trends in the region.