Ecuador has experienced steady population growth over the past several decades. In the mid-20th century, the country had a population of around 3.5 million, but by 2024, it has grown to approximately 18 million people. This growth has been driven by a combination of natural increase—where birth rates have historically outpaced death rates—and urbanization, with more people moving to cities such as Quito and Guayaquil in search of better economic opportunities. While the growth rate has gradually slowed in recent years due to declining fertility rates, Ecuador’s population is still expected to increase modestly in the coming decades, with the United Nations projecting a population of over 20 million by 2050. This demographic trend presents both opportunities and challenges for the country in terms of resource management, infrastructure, and social services.
| Year | Population | Population Density Per Square KM |
|---|---|---|
| 1950 | 3,369,955 | 12.2 |
| 1955 | 3,842,399 | 13.9 |
| 1960 | 4,415,956 | 16 |
| 1965 | 5,117,779 | 18.5 |
| 1970 | 5,939,246 | 21.5 |
| 1975 | 6,871,698 | 24.8 |
| 1980 | 7,920,499 | 28.6 |
| 1985 | 9,061,664 | 32.7 |
| 1990 | 10,318,036 | 37.3 |
| 1995 | 11,265,611 | 40.7 |
| 2000 | 12,445,838 | 45 |
| 2005 | 13,661,288 | 49.3 |
| 2010 | 14,786,116 | 53.4 |
| 2015 | 15,860,106 | 57.3 |
| 2020 | 16,894,461 | 61 |
| 2022 | 17,289,554 | 62.5 |
| 2023 | 17,483,326 | 63.2 |
| 2024 | 17,674,168 | 63.8 |
| 2025 | 17,861,804 | 64.5 |
| 2030 | 18,755,861 | 67.7 |
| 2035 | 19,561,162 | 70.7 |
| 2040 | 20,263,542 | 73.2 |
| 2045 | 20,858,769 | 75.3 |
| 2050 | 21,348,217 | 77.1 |
| 2055 | 21,737,759 | 78.5 |
| 2060 | 22,027,710 | 79.6 |
| 2065 | 22,211,118 | 80.2 |
| 2070 | 22,282,544 | 80.5 |
| 2075 | 22,242,411 | 80.3 |
| 2080 | 22,097,936 | 79.8 |
| 2085 | 21,862,578 | 79 |
| 2090 | 21,552,309 | 77.9 |
| 2095 | 21,184,643 | 76.5 |
| 2100 | 20,776,560 | 75 |
Data from US Census International Database