Ecuador Population
Latin America & Caribbean · 70th most populous · Upper middle income
Population right now (estimate)
18,492,895
The population of Ecuador is about 18,492,895 as of 22 October 2026 (estimate), and 18.4 million for 2026 as a whole — 0.22% of the world's people.
Ecuador is ranked 70th of 217 by population. The population is still growing, by about 0.85% a year. By 2050 it is projected to reach about 21.3 million. That is 4.0 times its 1960 population of 4.6 million. Population density is 74 people per square kilometre. 63% of people live in cities (2025).
Population 2026
18.4 million
Yearly change
+0.85%
World rank
70th
Share of world
0.22%
Density
74/km²
Land area
248,360 km²
Life expectancy
77.6 yrs
Births per woman
1.81
GDP per capita
$7,125
GDP
$130.3B
Population of Ecuador, 1960–2050
Ecuador population by year
| Year | Population | Yearly change | Density (per km²) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1960 | 4,590,891 | — | 18 |
| 1970 | 6,155,387 | +3.01% | 25 |
| 1980 | 8,165,877 | +2.73% | 33 |
| 1990 | 10,473,673 | +2.26% | 42 |
| 2000 | 12,689,206 | +1.75% | 51 |
| 2010 | 15,076,695 | +1.69% | 61 |
| 2020 | 17,546,065 | +1.19% | 71 |
| 2024 | 18,135,478 | +0.86% | 73 |
| 2026proj. | 18,444,506 | +0.85% | 74 |
| 2030proj. | 19,069,719 | +0.82% | 77 |
| 2040proj. | 20,434,220 | +0.58% | 82 |
| 2050proj. | 21,337,237 | +0.31% | 86 |
Ecuador vs Bangladesh
Bangladesh (178 million) has 9.6 times as many people as Ecuador. Bangladesh is 18.4 times more densely populated.
Ecuador population: questions and answers
What is the population of Ecuador in 2026?
About 18,444,506 (18.4 million), based on World Bank projections.
Is Ecuador's population growing?
Yes, by about 0.85% a year (2026).
What is the population density of Ecuador?
About 74 people per km², with a land area of 248,360 km².
What will the population of Ecuador be in 2050?
About 21.3 million on World Bank projections.
What is the capital of Ecuador?
Quito.
What is the life expectancy in Ecuador?
77.6 years at birth (2024).
Sources: World Bank Open Data — World Development Indicators and Population Estimates and Projections (CC BY 4.0); Wikidata (CC0). Data retrieved 2026-10-22. Live figures are mathematical estimates interpolated between the World Bank's mid-year values, not real-time counts.