In 2022, approximately 9.5 percent of the Ecuadorian population was living on less than 3.65 U.S. dollars per day, down from 10.9 in the previous year. Social inequality remains a challenge in Ecuador.

Poverty headcount ratio at national poverty lines (% of population) in Ecuador was reported at 28 % in 2024, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. Ecuador - Poverty headcount ratio at national poverty line (% of population) - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on October of 2025.

In Ecuador, the share of the indigenous population in 2023 that had an average per capita income below the poverty line reached almost 50 percent. In comparison to the previous year, this represents a slight decrease. The country had also one of the highest share of indigenous population living in extreme poverty in the region.

Historical dataset showing Ecuador poverty rate by year from 1987 to 2023.

Ecuador EC: Poverty Gap at National Poverty Lines: % data was reported at 8.500 % in 2015. This records an increase from the previous number of 7.900 % for 2014. Ecuador EC: Poverty Gap at National Poverty Lines: % data is updated yearly, averaging 10.800 % from Dec 2007 (Median) to 2015, with 9 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 15.300 % in 2007 and a record low of 7.900 % in 2014. Ecuador EC: Poverty Gap at National Poverty Lines: % data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Ecuador – Table EC.World Bank.WDI: Poverty. Poverty gap at national poverty lines is the mean shortfall from the poverty lines (counting the nonpoor as having zero shortfall) as a percentage of the poverty lines. This measure reflects the depth of poverty as well as its incidence.; ; World Bank, Global Poverty Working Group. Data are compiled from official government sources or are computed by World Bank staff using national (i.e. country–specific) poverty lines.; ; This series only includes estimates that to the best of our knowledge are reasonably comparable over time for a country. Due to differences in estimation methodologies and poverty lines, estimates should not be compared across countries.

This is the Poverty Map for Ecuador for the year 2022. The administration level is provinces, level 1.

Poverty rate at $1.9 a day of Ecuador jumped by 6.82% from 4.40 % in 2022 to 4.70 % in 2023. Since the 36.90% drop in 2021, poverty rate at $1.9 a day dropped by 11.32% in 2023. Population below $1.9 a day is the percentage of the population living on less than $1.9 a day at 2005 international prices. As a result of revisions in PPP exchange rates, poverty rates for individual countries cannot be compared with poverty rates reported in earlier editions.

Poverty rate of Ecuador plummeted by 18.75% from 3.2 % in 2013 to 2.6 % in 2014. Since the 4.46% climb in 2007, poverty rate sank by 69.09% in 2014. Population below $1.90 a day is the percentage of the population living on less than $1.90 a day at 2011 international prices.

Poverty and population data for cantons and parishes in Ecuador

Poverty ratio at $3.2 a day of Ecuador rose by 1.03% from 9.7 % in 2018 to 9.8 % in 2019. Since the 7.45% slump in 2017, poverty ratio at $3.2 a day leapt by 12.64% in 2019. Poverty headcount ratio at $3.20 a day is the percentage of the population living on less than $3.20 a day at 2011 international prices. As a result of revisions in PPP exchange rates, poverty rates for individual countries cannot be compared with poverty rates reported in earlier editions.

Poverty mapping, unsatisfied basic needs database

Ecuador EC: Poverty Gap at National Poverty Lines: Urban: % data was reported at 5.100 % in 2014. This records a decrease from the previous number of 5.400 % for 2013. Ecuador EC: Poverty Gap at National Poverty Lines: Urban: % data is updated yearly, averaging 6.550 % from Dec 2007 (Median) to 2014, with 8 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 8.800 % in 2009 and a record low of 5.100 % in 2014. Ecuador EC: Poverty Gap at National Poverty Lines: Urban: % data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Ecuador – Table EC.World Bank: Poverty. Urban poverty gap at national poverty lines is the urban population's mean shortfall from the poverty lines (counting the nonpoor as having zero shortfall) as a percentage of the poverty lines. This measure reflects the depth of poverty as well as its incidence.; ; World Bank, Global Poverty Working Group. Data are compiled from official government sources or are computed by World Bank staff using national (i.e. country–specific) poverty lines.; ; This series only includes estimates that to the best of our knowledge are reasonably comparable over time for a country. Due to differences in estimation methodologies and poverty lines, estimates should not be compared across countries.

Time series data for the statistic Official Moderate Poverty Rate-National and country Ecuador. Indicator Definition:The poverty headcount index measures the proportion of the population with daily per capita income below the official poverty line developed by each country.The indicator "Official Moderate Poverty Rate-National" stands at 22.49 as of 12/31/2014, the lowest value at least since 12/31/2001, the period currently displayed. Regarding the One-Year-Change of the series, the current value constitutes a decrease of -11.98 percent compared to the value the year prior.The 1 year change in percent is -11.98.The 3 year change in percent is -21.47.The 5 year change in percent is -37.58.The 10 year change in percent is -49.57.The Serie's long term average value is 38.44. It's latest available value, on 12/31/2014, is 41.50 percent lower, compared to it's long term average value.The Serie's change in percent from it's minimum value, on 12/31/2014, to it's latest available value, on 12/31/2014, is +0.0%.The Serie's change in percent from it's maximum value, on 12/31/2000, to it's latest available value, on 12/31/2014, is -65.08%.

Poverty ratio at national poverty line of Ecuador jumped by 7.76% from 23.2 % in 2018 to 25.0 % in 2019. Since the 6.11% slump in 2017, poverty ratio at national poverty line shot up by 16.28% in 2019. National poverty headcount ratio is the percentage of the population living below the national poverty lines. National estimates are based on population-weighted subgroup estimates from household surveys.

26.0 (%) in 2023. National poverty rate is the percentage of the population living below the national poverty line. National estimates are based on population-weighted subgroup estimates from household surveys.

10.00 (%) in 2023. Population below $3.1 a day is the percentage of the population living on less than $3.1 a day at 2005 international prices. As a result of revisions in PPP exchange rates, poverty rates for individual countries cannot be compared with poverty rates reported in earlier editions.

Ecuador EC: Income Share Held by Second 20% data was reported at 9.400 % in 2016. This records an increase from the previous number of 9.100 % for 2015. Ecuador EC: Income Share Held by Second 20% data is updated yearly, averaging 8.100 % from Dec 1987 (Median) to 2016, with 19 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 9.400 % in 2016 and a record low of 6.500 % in 1999. Ecuador EC: Income Share Held by Second 20% data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Ecuador – Table EC.World Bank.WDI: Poverty. Percentage share of income or consumption is the share that accrues to subgroups of population indicated by deciles or quintiles. Percentage shares by quintile may not sum to 100 because of rounding.; ; World Bank, Development Research Group. Data are based on primary household survey data obtained from government statistical agencies and World Bank country departments. Data for high-income economies are from the Luxembourg Income Study database. For more information and methodology, please see PovcalNet (http://iresearch.worldbank.org/PovcalNet/index.htm).; ; The World Bank’s internationally comparable poverty monitoring database now draws on income or detailed consumption data from more than one thousand six hundred household surveys across 164 countries in six regions and 25 other high income countries (industrialized economies). While income distribution data are published for all countries with data available, poverty data are published for low- and middle-income countries and countries eligible to receive loans from the World Bank (such as Chile) and recently graduated countries (such as Estonia) only. See PovcalNet (http://iresearch.worldbank.org/PovcalNet/WhatIsNew.aspx) for definitions of geographical regions and industrialized countries.

Ecuador EC: Multidimensional Poverty Intensity (average share of deprivations experienced by the poor) data was reported at 49.300 % in 2022. This records a decrease from the previous number of 50.300 % for 2021. Ecuador EC: Multidimensional Poverty Intensity (average share of deprivations experienced by the poor) data is updated yearly, averaging 49.300 % from Dec 2010 (Median) to 2022, with 13 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 52.120 % in 2010 and a record low of 48.150 % in 2016. Ecuador EC: Multidimensional Poverty Intensity (average share of deprivations experienced by the poor) data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Ecuador – Table EC.World Bank.WDI: Social: Poverty and Inequality. ;Government statistical agencies. Data for EU countires are from the EUROSTAT;;

Multidimensional Poverty Headcount Ratio: World Bank: % of total population data was reported at 4.700 % in 2023. This records an increase from the previous number of 4.000 % for 2022. Multidimensional Poverty Headcount Ratio: World Bank: % of total population data is updated yearly, averaging 4.200 % from Dec 2010 (Median) to 2023, with 14 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 7.100 % in 2020 and a record low of 3.200 % in 2014. Multidimensional Poverty Headcount Ratio: World Bank: % of total population data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Ecuador – Table EC.World Bank.WDI: Social: Poverty and Inequality. The multidimensional poverty headcount ratio (World Bank) is the percentage of a population living in poverty according to the World Bank's Multidimensional Poverty Measure. The Multidimensional Poverty Measure includes three dimensions – monetary poverty, education, and basic infrastructure services – to capture a more complete picture of poverty.;World Bank, Poverty and Inequality Platform. Data are based on primary household survey data obtained from government statistical agencies and World Bank country departments. Data for high-income economies are mostly from the Luxembourg Income Study database. For more information and methodology, please see http://pip.worldbank.org.;;The World Bank’s internationally comparable poverty monitoring database now draws on income or detailed consumption data from more than 2000 household surveys across 169 countries. See the Poverty and Inequality Platform (PIP) for details (www.pip.worldbank.org).

Problems in education given by: student poverty index, student dropouts and complaints from students to teachers