Photo: Phelipemancheno · CC0 · via Wikimedia Commons, shown in greyscale
Topic 03 of 18 · Country Index 2026
Ecuador: Work & Labour
Can people find work, and on what terms?
Ecuador is placed 46th of 182 countries on work & labour in the Country Index 2026, from 4 of its 4 key statistics. Readings behind it: Employment-to-Population Ratio 62.36 (2025); Labour Income Share 57.41 (2025).
Share
Work & Labour
46th
of 182 countries placed
Placed from 4 of 4 key statistics
01The evidence
The 4 key statistics that decide it
Only these place Ecuador on work & labour — one vote each. Every value is the publisher’s own, read at the edition the Country Index 2026 used; the grey ticks are every other country it was compared with, lowest on the left.
Key 1 of 4
Employment-to-Population Ratio
International Labour Organization (ILO)
2025 edition · data for 2025 · CC BY 4.0
62.36
Employed share of the population aged 15+ (%)
Higher is better
Ecuador: 62.36. Across the 182 countries in this edition, values run from 21.21 (São Tomé and Príncipe) to 86.9 (Qatar); the world median is 57.72.
- World median
- 57.72
- Best in South America
- 76.29 Bolivia
- Land neighbours
- Colombia 58.14 · Peru 69.13
Key 3 of 4
Unemployment Rate
International Labour Organization (ILO)
2025 edition · data for 2025 · CC BY 4.0
3.308
Unemployment (% of labour force)
Lower is better
Ecuador: 3.308. Across the 182 countries in this edition, values run from 0.13 (Qatar) to 34.2 (Eswatini); the world median is 5.084.
- World median
- 5.084
- Best in South America
- 2.967 Bolivia
- Land neighbours
- Colombia 8.29 · Peru 5.117
Key 4 of 4
Vulnerable Employment
International Labour Organization (ILO)
2025 edition · data for 2025 · CC BY 4.0
50.12
Vulnerable employment (% of total employment)
Lower is better
Ecuador: 50.12. Across the 182 countries in this edition, values run from 0.456 (Qatar) to 90.22 (Chad); the world median is 28.67.
- World median
- 28.67
- Best in South America
- 18.38 Suriname
- Land neighbours
- Colombia 42.96 · Peru 47.51
02Over time
Which way Ecuador is moving
Each key’s published value, edition by edition, beside the world median. The Country Index 2026 is the first edition of the standing, so the standing itself has no history to chart yet.
Employment-to-Population Ratio
Employed share of the population aged 15+ (%) · higher is better
EcuadorWorld median
Ecuador rose from 60.4 in 2000 to 62.36 in 2025; the world median went from 55.86 to 57.72.
Every year’s figures
Year Ecuador World median 2025 62.364 57.720 2024 62.311 57.694 2023 62.225 58.158 2022 63.388 57.688 2021 62.728 56.066 2020 56.361 55.691 2019 63.656 57.871 2018 64.307 56.911 2017 65.539 56.738 2016 64.558 56.845 2015 63.284 56.788 2014 60.440 56.774 2013 60.342 56.229 2012 60.431 56.289 2011 59.643 56.297 2010 60.122 56.212 2009 61.063 56.255 2008 63.943 57.308 2007 64.669 56.933 2006 65.536 56.685 2005 64.446 56.129 2004 64.093 55.465 2003 61.636 55.630 2002 61.589 55.843 2001 61.358 56.018 2000 60.403 55.861 Labour Income Share
Labour income share of GDP (%) · higher is better
EcuadorWorld median
Ecuador rose from 48.71 in 2004 to 57.41 in 2025; the world median went from 46.01 to 46.23.
Every year’s figures
Year Ecuador World median 2025 57.41 46.230 2024 58.28 46.060 2023 57.36 45.900 2022 57.91 45.615 2021 57.70 45.433 2020 60.38 47.267 2019 60.64 46.277 2018 58.49 46.187 2017 57.56 46.467 2016 57.61 46.798 2015 57.49 46.876 2014 56.33 47.281 2013 56.34 46.887 2012 55.48 46.231 2011 53.34 45.679 2010 52.33 46.024 2009 53.80 47.071 2008 48.34 45.312 2007 49.89 45.246 2006 49.49 45.670 2005 48.89 46.265 2004 48.71 46.012 Unemployment Rate
Unemployment (% of labour force) · lower is better
EcuadorWorld median
Ecuador fell from 4.8 in 2000 to 3.308 in 2025; the world median went from 6.918 to 5.084.
Every year’s figures
Year Ecuador World median 2025 3.31 5.08 2024 3.45 5.15 2023 3.51 5.21 2022 3.71 5.34 2021 4.50 6.04 2020 6.12 6.38 2019 3.81 5.36 2018 3.53 5.35 2017 3.84 5.59 2016 4.60 5.90 2015 3.62 6.41 2014 3.48 6.58 2013 3.08 6.71 2012 3.24 6.79 2011 3.46 6.90 2010 4.09 7.04 2009 4.61 6.67 2008 3.92 5.79 2007 3.14 6.00 2006 3.55 6.50 2005 3.78 7.09 2004 5.00 6.80 2003 5.66 6.95 2002 4.83 6.91 2001 4.25 6.96 2000 4.80 6.92 Vulnerable Employment
Vulnerable employment (% of total employment) · lower is better
EcuadorWorld median
Ecuador rose from 46.21 in 2000 to 50.12 in 2025; the world median went from 35.67 to 28.67.
Every year’s figures
Year Ecuador World median 2025 50.12 28.67 2024 50.16 29.04 2023 48.63 29.33 2022 50.97 29.67 2021 52.15 30.01 2020 52.03 30.54 2019 51.72 29.98 2018 50.27 30.15 2017 49.68 29.93 2016 48.62 29.91 2015 44.88 30.26 2014 42.74 30.47 2013 44.97 31.14 2012 45.62 31.00 2011 45.87 31.41 2010 43.90 32.37 2009 44.37 32.59 2008 42.72 31.76 2007 43.33 33.47 2006 43.53 34.27 2005 43.82 34.66 2004 45.84 35.51 2003 43.55 35.90 2002 44.89 35.96 2001 46.23 35.27 2000 46.21 35.67
03In context
Ecuador beside its neighbours
A position reads best beside the countries around it. Every position below is a place among all 182 countries on work & labour, never a place within the region.
Ecuador and the countries it borders
Standing among all 182; the key columns are the publishers’ own values.
| Country | Standing | Employment-to-Population RatioEmployed share of the population aged 15+ (%) | Labour Income ShareLabour income share of GDP (%) | Unemployment RateUnemployment (% of labour force) | Vulnerable EmploymentVulnerable employment (% of total employment) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ecuador | 46th | 62.36 | 57.41 | 3.308 | 50.12 |
 Peru | 87th | 69.13 | 43.62 | 5.117 | 47.51 |
 Colombia | 121st | 58.14 | 50.54 | 8.29 | 42.96 |
“—”: no published reading in that edition. What a standing is
Across South America
Every country in the sub-region, by its place among all 182.
Placed either side on work & labour
The countries immediately above and below Ecuador in the topic’s list.
04Context, no vote
Where Ecuador is ahead of the world, and behind
30 more statistics filed under work & labour, published in full and deliberately given no vote in the standing. Select a row for the publisher, the rank and the links.
Ahead of the world median9
Statistics on which Ecuador does better than the middle country measured.
Length of Paid Paternity LeaveWorld Bank Group · 2025 · world median 3153No real change since 2015
Ecuador: 15 · world median 3 · Paid paternity leave set in law (calendar days). World Bank Group, 2026 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 196; higher is better.
Fatal Occupational InjuriesILO · 2023 · world median 2.00512.005No earlier reading
Ecuador: 1 · world median 2.005 · Fatal occupational injuries per 100,000 workers. International Labour Organization (ILO), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0.12 to 8.409; lower is better.
Firms Offering Formal TrainingWorld Bank Group · 2026 · world median 32.0754.5632.07No earlier reading
Ecuador: 54.56 · world median 32.07 · Firms offering formal training to permanent full-time workers (%). World Bank Group, 2026 edition, data for 2026.
Published values in that edition run from 1.42 to 79.12; higher is better.
Youth Unemployment RateILO · 2025 · world median 12.838.1612.83▲ Improved since 2015
Ecuador: 8.16 · world median 12.83 · Unemployment, ages 15-24 (% of youth labour force). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0.457 to 76.77; lower is better.
Position 133rd of 182 · derived, 1st = worst.
Female Share of Senior and Middle ManagementILO · 2024 · world median 35.8639.1135.86▼ Worsened since 2014
Ecuador: 39.11 · world median 35.86 · Women in senior and middle management (% of managers). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 7.226 to 56.69; higher is better.
Position 29th of 86 · derived.
Human Capital Wealth per CapitaWorld Bank Group · 2020 · world median 25,23054,22725,230No real change since 2010
Ecuador: 54,227 · world median 25,230 · Human capital per person — present value of future earnings (real chained 2019 US$). World Bank Group, 2020 edition, data for 2020.
Published values in that edition run from 700.38 to 735,422; higher is better.
Position 55th of 151 · derived.
Labour Force Participation RateILO · 2025 · world median 61.6664.561.66▼ Worsened since 2015
Ecuador: 64.5 · world median 61.66 · Population aged 15+ in the labour force (%). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 23.34 to 87.01; higher is better.
Position 69th of 182 · derived.
Firms with a Female Top ManagerWorld Bank Group · 2025 · world median 19.1621.0519.16No earlier reading
Ecuador: 21.05 · world median 19.16 · Firms with a female top manager (%). World Bank Group, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 1.429 to 62.9; higher is better.
Position 75th of 179 · derived.
Unemployment Benefit CoverageILO · 2024 · world median 03.80No earlier reading
Ecuador: 3.8 · world median 0 · Unemployed people receiving unemployment benefits (%). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 100; higher is better.
Behind the world median14
Statistics on which Ecuador does worse than the middle country measured.
Female Labour Force Participation RateILO · 2025 · world median 53.3652.3953.36▼ Worsened since 2015
Ecuador: 52.39 · world median 53.36 · Women aged 15+ in the labour force (%). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 4.663 to 82.91; higher is better.
Position 101st of 182 · derived.
Employment Injury Protection CoverageILO · 2024 · world median 45.935.545.9No earlier reading
Ecuador: 35.5 · world median 45.9 · Labour force covered in the event of a work injury (%). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 100; higher is better.
Low Pay RateILO · 2024 · world median 17.8919.9117.89▼ Worsened since 2014
Ecuador: 19.91 · world median 17.89 · Employees paid less than two-thirds of the median hourly earnings (%). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 3.395 to 41.69; lower is better.
Position 29th of 71 · derived, 1st = worst.
Labour Productivity per Hour WorkedILO · 2025 · world median 22.1615.5722.16▼ Worsened since 2015
Ecuador: 15.57 · world median 22.16 · Output per hour worked (constant 2021 international $ at PPP). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0.92 to 164.65; higher is better.
Position 110th of 182 · derived.
Gini Index of Monthly EarningsILO · 2024 · world median 0.3370.3580.337▼ Worsened since 2014
Ecuador: 0.358 · world median 0.337 · Gini index of employees’ monthly earnings (0 = all paid the same, 1 = maximum inequality). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0.182 to 0.643; lower is better.
Position 29th of 75 · derived, 1st = worst.
Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing Value Added per WorkerWorld Bank Group · 2025 · world median 6,7423,8026,742▼ Worsened since 2015
Ecuador: 3,802 · world median 6,742 · Agricultural value added per worker (constant 2015 US$). World Bank Group, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 210.77 to 150,632; higher is better.
Position 96th of 151 · derived.
GDP per Person EmployedWorld Bank Group · 2025 · world median 47,38430,17147,384▼ Worsened since 2015
Ecuador: 30,171 · world median 47,384 · GDP per person employed (constant 2021 international $). World Bank Group, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 2,456 to 262,554; higher is better.
Position 110th of 168 · derived.
Youth Not in Education, Employment or TrainingILO · 2024 · world median 14.3118.9514.31▼ Worsened since 2014
Ecuador: 18.95 · world median 14.31 · Youth not in education, employment or training (%). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 3.975 to 65.73; lower is better.
Position 34th of 97 · derived, 1st = worst.
Average Monthly Earnings of EmployeesILO · 2024 · world median 1,6361,1661,636No real change since 2014
Ecuador: 1,166 · world median 1,636 · Average monthly earnings of employees (2021 PPP $). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 193.28 to 9,307; higher is better.
Position 52nd of 75 · derived.
Informal Employment RateILO · 2025 · world median 36.7667.3136.76No earlier reading
Ecuador: 67.31 · world median 36.76 · Informal employment (% of total employment). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0.857 to 94.44; lower is better.
Position 30th of 97 · derived, 1st = worst.
Length of Paid Maternity LeaveWorld Bank Group · 2025 · world median 988498▼ Worsened since 2015
Ecuador: 84 · world median 98 · Paid maternity leave set in law (calendar days). World Bank Group, 2026 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 410; higher is better.
Compliance with Labour RightsILO · 2024 · world median 1.615.941.61▼ Worsened since 2015
Ecuador: 5.94 · world median 1.61 · Compliance with freedom of association and collective bargaining rights (0 = best, 10 = worst). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 10; lower is better.
Firms Competing Against Informal FirmsWorld Bank Group · 2026 · world median 41.8167.7241.81No earlier reading
Ecuador: 67.72 · world median 41.81 · Firms competing against unregistered or informal firms (%). World Bank Group, 2026 edition, data for 2026.
Published values in that edition run from 1.926 to 90.5; lower is better.
Position 18th of 181 · derived, 1st = worst.
Labour Inspectors per 10,000 Employed PersonsILO · 2024 · world median 0.5750.170.575No earlier reading
Ecuador: 0.17 · world median 0.575 · Labour inspectors per 10,000 employed persons. International Labour Organization (ILO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0.07 to 3.89; higher is better.
Level with the median, or no median to compare1
Working Poverty RateILO · 2025 · world median 4.8854.8854.885▼ Worsened since 2015
Ecuador: 4.885 · world median 4.885 · Employed people living in extreme poverty (%). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0.007 to 86.02; lower is better.
No better end6
These describe the shape of a country — more is not better or worse, only different — so they are never ahead or behind.
Employment in AgricultureILO · 2025 · world median 14.3832.4814.38Moved since 2015
Ecuador: 32.48 · world median 14.38 · Employment in agriculture (% of total employment). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0.095 to 85.34.
Position 52nd of 182 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Self-Employment RateILO · 2025 · world median 31.8452.3331.84Moved since 2015
Ecuador: 52.33 · world median 31.84 · Self-employed (% of total employment). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0.832 to 91.56.
Position 55th of 182 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Average Weekly Hours WorkedILO · 2025 · world median 38.8937.1338.89Moved since 2015
Ecuador: 37.13 · world median 38.89 · Average weekly hours actually worked per employed person. International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 23.64 to 54.7.
Position 117th of 182 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Employment in ServicesILO · 2025 · world median 59.5150.9359.51Moved since 2015
Ecuador: 50.93 · world median 59.51 · Employment in services (% of total employment). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 11.56 to 92.17.
Position 120th of 182 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Employment in IndustryILO · 2025 · world median 18.8816.5918.88Moved since 2015
Ecuador: 16.59 · world median 18.88 · Employment in industry (% of total employment). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 3.103 to 39.44.
Position 122nd of 182 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Public Sector EmploymentWorld Bank Group · 2022 · world median 15.017.05615.01No earlier reading
Ecuador: 7.056 · world median 15.01 · Public sector employment (% of total employment). World Bank Group, 2022 edition, data for 2022.
Published values in that edition run from 1.672 to 47.1.
Position 103rd of 135 · derived, counted from the highest value.
No current reading for Ecuador
Composite Rate of Labour Underutilisation (LU4), Share of Temporary Employees (last 2014), Statutory Minimum Wage (last 2023) and Trade Union Density. Listed rather than hidden, so the page can be checked against it.
“Position · derived” is this site’s ordering of the published values, 1st = best unless the row says otherwise; the publisher ranks no country on it. Rank, position and standing
05Country Index 2026
Work & Labour among Ecuador’s 16 topics
Work & Labour is Ecuador’s 3rd best-placed topic of 16. Strongest first, each marker at its share of that topic’s field.
- Environment & Sustainability31st of 1863/4 keys
- Energy36th of 1653/3 keys
- Work & Labour46th of 1824/4 keys
- Gender & Equality52nd of 1834/4 keys
- Digital & Technologyjoint 87th of 1984/4 keys
- Education & Knowledgejoint 87th of 1984/4 keys
- Economy & Innovation90th of 1764/4 keys
- Development & Human Capital102nd of 1963/3 keys
- Health & Wellbeing105th of 2004/4 keys
- Governance & Institutions103rd of 1944/4 keys
- Democracy & Civil Liberties123rd of 1984/4 keys
- Food & Agriculture118th of 1844/4 keys
- Mobility & Trade121st of 1773/4 keys
- Poverty & Inequality111th of 1593/3 keys
- Peace & Security134th of 1774/4 keys
- Risk & Resiliencejoint 165th of 1934/4 keys
06The top of the list
Who leads on work & labour
The three countries placed highest of 182, and the leaders Ecuador can most readily be measured against.
1
IcelandNorthern Europe
1st of 182 · 4 of 4 keys
Photo: Hansueli Krapf · CC BY-SA 3.0, greyscale
2
JapanEastern Asia
2nd of 182 · 4 of 4 keys
Photo: JurriaanH · CC BY-SA 3.0, greyscale
3
South KoreaEastern Asia
3rd of 182 · 4 of 4 keys
Photo: Unknown author · CC BY-SA 2.0, greyscale
Placed highest nearby
Highest in Americas
United States14th4/4 keysHighest in South America
Bolivia=29th4/4 keysThis page
Ecuador46th4/4 keys
Positions out of 182 placed on the topic. A country needs readings on enough keys to be placed, and the top of the list is often held on fewer of them.
07Analysis
Charts and analysis about Ecuador and work & labour
On work & labour
Countries in Asia with the highest average salaries 2024
Thirteen Asian countries by gross average monthly wage, each carrying its WORLD rank rather than an Asian one — so the numbers skip, from 11th place to 45th.
On work & labour
Countries With The Highest Average Salaries in 2024
The ten highest-paying countries of 2024, their bars coloured by continent, and six more added for comparison — from Australia in 13th place to India in 85th.
On work & labour
Countries With The Lowest Average Salaries in 2024
The bottom ten of 196 countries, and six more added for comparison. Niger, Madagascar and Liberia are all published at US$47 a month and still carry three different ranks.
08Questions
Ecuador on work & labour: questions answered
Every answer is built from the numbers on this page, so none can say something the page does not.
How does Ecuador rank on work & labour?
Ecuador is placed 46th of 182 countries on Work & Labour in the Country Index 2026, from 4 of its 4 key statistics (Employment-to-Population Ratio, Labour Income Share, Unemployment Rate and Vulnerable Employment). The position is this site’s ordering of published statistics, not a rank any publisher printed.
What is the latest Employment-to-Population Ratio figure for Ecuador?
62.36 in 2025 (employed share of the population aged 15+ (%)), according to International Labour Organization (ILO). The world median in the same edition was 57.72.
What is the latest Labour Income Share figure for Ecuador?
57.41 in 2025 (labour income share of GDP (%)), according to International Labour Organization (ILO). The world median in the same edition was 46.23.
How does Ecuador compare with Colombia on work & labour?
Colombia is placed 121st of 182, and Ecuador 46th. Employment-to-Population Ratio: Colombia 58.14, Ecuador 62.36; Labour Income Share: Colombia 50.54, Ecuador 57.41; Unemployment Rate: Colombia 8.29, Ecuador 3.308; Vulnerable Employment: Colombia 42.96, Ecuador 50.12.
How have Ecuador’s work & labour figures changed?
Employment-to-Population Ratio rose from 60.4 in 2000 to 62.36 in 2025; Labour Income Share rose from 48.71 in 2004 to 57.41 in 2025; Unemployment Rate fell from 4.8 in 2000 to 3.308 in 2025; Vulnerable Employment rose from 46.21 in 2000 to 50.12 in 2025.
Which work & labour statistics are missing for Ecuador?
No current reading is published for Ecuador on Composite Rate of Labour Underutilisation (LU4), Share of Temporary Employees, Statutory Minimum Wage and Trade Union Density. They are listed rather than hidden, so the evidence on the page can be checked against it.
09Method
Method, sources and how to cite
What this topic does not measure
Wages in money terms are not a key here, because pay figures are hard to compare fairly across countries with very different prices. Labour productivity, working hours, youth unemployment and the balance between farming, industry and services are published on this page as context. The size and growth of the wider economy belong to Economy & Innovation.
How the Work & Labour standing is decided
A standing is this site’s ordering, named with its edition — never a publisher’s rank. 4 key statistics vote, one vote each; every country’s published value becomes a place within that key’s own field, the places are averaged, and the average is never published. A country needs 2 of the 4 keys to be placed.
The work & labour method, step by stepHow every standing on this site is built
The key statistics and their licences
- Employment-to-Population Ratio — International Labour Organization (ILO), CC BY 4.0
- Labour Income Share — International Labour Organization (ILO), CC BY 4.0
- Unemployment Rate — International Labour Organization (ILO), CC BY 4.0
- Vulnerable Employment — International Labour Organization (ILO), CC BY 4.0
The other 30 statistics on this page come from 2 publishers, each named beside its numbers, with every edition and licence on the datasets pages.
The standing itself is part of the Country Index 2026, published under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Photographs
Ecuador’s banner and the countries placed highest, from their profiles: Wikimedia Commons, shown in greyscale, each used under the licence named.
- Ecuador (banner) — Phelipemancheno, CC0
- Iceland — Hansueli Krapf, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Japan — JurriaanH, CC BY-SA 3.0
- South Korea — Unknown author, CC BY-SA 2.0
Cite this page
Nations Inquiry (2026). Ecuador: Work & Labour — standing and statistics, Country Index 2026. https://nationsinquiry.com/countries/ecuador/work