11 answers, 4 from Ecuador's own official bodies, with a link to each figure.
93.49% of Ecuadorians aged 15 and over could read and write in 2024, according to the UNESCO Institute for Statistics. Among young people aged 15 to 24, the literacy rate was 98.99%.
The adult figure was 96.26% in 2022 and 94.48% in 2021, so the estimate moves from year to year with the household survey used. UNESCO compiles the rates from national data produced by the INEC.
98.13% of young people in Ecuador had completed primary school in 2024, 91.72% lower secondary and 80.77% upper secondary (bachillerato), according to the UNESCO Institute for Statistics' completion rates for primary, lower secondary and upper secondary education.
Completion rates measure the share of people a few years older than the final-grade age who have finished each level, using household survey data. The upper secondary rate has stayed around 80% since 2021.
Ecuador's gross enrolment ratio in tertiary education was 67.89% in 2023, up from 47.26% in 2019, according to the UNESCO Institute for Statistics.
The gross ratio compares the number of students enrolled in universities and technical and technological institutes with the population of the five-year age group after secondary school, so it can include older students. The country's higher education system is overseen by the Secretariat of Higher Education, Science, Technology and Innovation (SENESCYT), whose site could not be reached on 15 October 2026.
Ecuador's government spent 3.69% of GDP on education in 2024, according to the UNESCO Institute for Statistics. The share was 3.82% in 2023 and 3.61% in 2022.
The figure covers spending by all levels of government on schools, universities and education administration, from budget execution data. The Ministry of Education publishes the number of schools, teachers and students from its school register; its site could not be reached on 15 October 2026.
The figures below use one definition for every country, so they can differ from national figures.
In 2018, net primary school enrolment in Ecuador was 90.9%, according to the UNESCO Institute for Statistics. No year since 2005 has been lower. Across Latin America & Caribbean the middle value was 92.9%, and Ecuador placed 12th highest of 17. World rank, highest first: 42nd of 69.
92.8%: that is gross secondary school enrolment in Ecuador for 2023, according to the UNESCO Institute for Statistics. Since 2005 it has ranged from 59.9% (2005) to 102.6% (2014). Across Latin America & Caribbean the middle value was 92.9%, and Ecuador placed 15th highest of 28. Of 138 countries with 2023 data, 73rd highest.
The latest figure from the UNESCO Institute for Statistics, for 2023, is 67.9%. That is the highest since at least 2008. It is 4th highest of 16 in Latin America & Caribbean, where the median is 48.6%. Worldwide: 42nd of 120.
According to the UNESCO Institute for Statistics, the adult literacy rate in Ecuador was 93.5% in 2024. The peak was 96.3% in 2022 and the low 91.6% in 2011. It is 10th highest of 13 in Latin America & Caribbean, where the median is 94.7%.
The latest figure from the UNESCO Institute for Statistics, for 2024, is 3.7% of GDP. Since 2009 it has ranged from 3.6% of GDP (2022) to 5.2% of GDP (2014). It is 7th highest of 11 in Latin America & Caribbean, where the median is 3.8% of GDP. Of 36 countries with 2024 data, 24th highest.
According to the UNESCO Institute for Statistics, the number of primary pupils per teacher in Ecuador was 24 in 2018. Since 2005 it has ranged from 22 (2011) to 25 (2015). It is 3rd highest of 18 in Latin America & Caribbean, where the median is 18. Of 85 countries with 2018 data, 36th highest.
The UNESCO Institute for Statistics puts the primary completion rate in Ecuador at 100.2% in 2023. Its high point since 2005 was 2014, at 105.8%; its low point was 2021, at 93.9%. Across Latin America & Caribbean the middle value was 96.2%, and Ecuador placed 9th highest of 23. Worldwide: 32nd of 131.
Read on 14 October 2026. Definitions · Report an error