Ecuador Population

Ecuador's fertility has fallen toward the replacement level, slowing growth and beginning a gradual ageing process. Like its neighbours it has both sent emigrants abroad and absorbed many Venezuelans fleeing crisis in recent years. The population is in the middle of its transition, neither youthful nor old.

Ecuador is the world's 72nd most populous country, home to about 18.4 million people in 2026. Set in South America, its demographic path this century turns on the balance of births, deaths and migration. Population density stands at about 74 people for every square kilometre of land.

Ecuador is projected to keep growing until about 2063, when its population peaks at roughly 21.7 million before a gradual decline sets in, leaving it near 19.1 million by 2100.

Fertility sits at about 1.81 births per woman, below the replacement level of roughly 2.1, so without migration the population would eventually shrink.

Half of Ecuador is currently younger than about 29, but by 2100 the median age is projected to reach around 50, even as life expectancy improves from about 78 years. An older population gradually reshapes the labour force, pension systems and healthcare demand.

All of this is a projection, not a prediction. The further out it runs the wider the plausible range becomes, which is why Ecuador's charts show a low-to-high band around the central line.