The population and housing census counted 16,938,986 people in Ecuador. The majority are women, and the highest concentration is in urban areas, with 63.1% of the population; 36.9% are in rural areas. Guayas, Pichincha and Manabí have 53.5% of the total population.

These and other data were presented by the National Institute of Statistics and Censuses (INEC) this Thursday, September 21, 2023 such as households.

The average number of Ecuadorian household members is smaller. There are currently 3.2 members, in contrast to the 2001 census, when they were 4.2, and in 2010, 3.8.

Indicator in 2001 2010 in 2022
Number of households 2’879,935 3’810,548 5′188,402
Average household size 4.2 3.8 3.2
Female representatives of the household 25.4% 28.7% 38.5%
Male representatives of the household 74.6% 71.3% 61.5%

In terms of representation, 61.5% are headed by men and 38.5% are headed by women in 2022. Compared to previous lists, there are increases of more than ten points. For example, in 2001 there were 25.4% female representatives, and in 2010 it rose to 28.4%.

The census in Ecuador counted 16,938,986 people and shows that households are smaller

With men, there is a different dynamic. In 2001, it was 74.6%, and by 2010 it had fallen to 71.3%. In the current census, it was 61.5 percent, almost ten points less.

Membership

The census establishes that households grew with one member. In 2001, they amounted to 9.1%, in 2010 they grew to 12.1%, and by 2022 they amounted to 16.7%. With three members, there was an increase, but not that big. In the same order of years: 18.1%, then 20.1% and now 21.7%.

While a big contrast occurs when it comes to a large household, i.e. with five or more members. in 2001, they were 39.2%; Ten years later, they were 30.9%; and by 2022 they fell to 20.7%.

Family members in 2001 2010 in 2022
1 person 9.1% 12.1% 16.7%
2 persons 13.2% 15.9% 20.2%
3 people 18.1% 20.1% 21.7%
4 people 20.4% 21.0% 20.7%
5 or more people 39.2% 30.9% 20.7%

“A household consists of one or more persons, who are not necessarily related, who usually live in the same home, cook together and share food costs,” explains INEC.

Residential property

INEC classified households according to ownership of the dwelling, for example, whether it is owned, borrowed or rented. These data are available only from the last two population censuses, i.e. from 2010 and 2022.

52.4% of homes in 2010 were owned; now that percentage has dropped to 48.9%. For those who rent, there is no big difference: more than ten years ago there were 24.2%, and now there are 23.5%.

Yes, there is an increase when it comes to rented apartments: before they were 14.4%, and now 19.4%. There are still those who have their own home, but pay for it: in 2010, there were 7.31 percent, and in 2022, 7.32 percent.

And a small percentage is in the services category: from 1.74% it went to 0.81%.

Households by province

Guayas is the province with the most homes, with a total of 1.3 million. In 2010, there were 959,046, which is close to what Pichincha currently has in households, which is 994,594. In the previous census, this province had 728,288.

And Santa Elena is another province that had a big increase. In 2010, there were 76,182 homes, and in 2022, 105,920, that is, an increase of 29,738.

Below is the number of homes by province:

Guayaquil and Quito, with a slight difference in the number of homes

About 62,000 homes are the difference between these two big cities, one of which is the capital of the country. Guayaquil has 873,508 houses, and Quito has 810,562.

In terms of representation, 62.2% are men and 37.8% are women in 2022 in Quito; while in the Pearl of the Pacific it is 58.2% for men and 41.8% for women.

In Guayaquil, 56.7% have their own home; 23%, in rent; and 13.8%, loans. And in Quito, 41.6% own housing; 36.8%, in rent; and 11.4%, borrowed.