Economy, jobs and prices in El Oro, Ecuador: official figures
The unemployment rate in El Oro was 3.9% in 2025, above the national rate of 3.6%; 7th highest of the 24 provinces. In 2019 it was 4.9%.
What is the underemployment rate in El Oro?
The underemployment rate in El Oro was 20.5% in 2025 (national 19.4%), 8th highest of the 24 provinces; in 2019 it was 15.3%.
Source: Instituto Nacional de Estadística y Censos (INEC) · saved copyHow big is the informal sector in El Oro?
The informal sector accounted for 43.3% of employment in El Oro in 2025, below the national figure of 51.5%; 3rd lowest of the 24 provinces. In 2018 it was 36.5%.
Source: Instituto Nacional de Estadística y Censos (INEC) · saved copyHow many people in El Oro work without pay?
The unpaid employment rate in El Oro was 5.7% in 2025 (national 8.8%), 8th lowest of the 24 provinces. Unpaid work covers people who earn no labour income, such as unpaid family workers.
Source: Instituto Nacional de Estadística y Censos (INEC) · saved copyWhat is the labour force participation rate in El Oro?
The labour force participation rate in El Oro was 65.1% in 2025 against 64.3% nationally, 12th lowest of the 24 provinces. Participation counts people aged 15 and over who work or look for work.
Source: Instituto Nacional de Estadística y Censos (INEC) · saved copyHow large is the economy of El Oro?
The Banco Central del Ecuador puts the gross value added of El Oro at US$3.9 billion in 2024 (provisional, current prices), 3.4% of the national US$115.1 billion; 7th highest of the 24 provinces.
Source: Banco Central del Ecuador · saved copyIs the economy of El Oro growing?
Gross value added in El Oro was US$4.0 billion in 2023 and US$3.9 billion in 2024, a change of -2.0% against +1.2% nationally. Compared with 2019 (before the pandemic) it is +15.7% in current prices (+14.0% nationally); 8th highest growth of the 24 provinces.
Source: Banco Central del Ecuador · saved copyWhat is the GDP per person in El Oro?
Gross value added per person in El Oro was US$5,231 in 2024 (provisional), below the national average of US$6,407; 9th highest of the 24 provinces. In 2018 it was US$4,674.
Source: Banco Central del Ecuador · saved copyWhat are the main industries in El Oro?
The largest activity group in the economy of El Oro in 2024 was agriculture, livestock, forestry and fishing, with 22.9% of gross value added. Other groups: wholesale and retail trade 18.7%, manufacturing 8.6%, public administration and defence 8.5%.
Source: Banco Central del Ecuador · saved copyHow important is agriculture in El Oro?
Agriculture, livestock, forestry and fishing accounted for 22.9% of gross value added in El Oro in 2024, against 9.9% across the provinces; 6th highest of the 24 provinces.
Source: Banco Central del Ecuador · saved copyHow much of the economy of El Oro comes from oil and mining?
Oil and mining accounted for 8.7% of gross value added in El Oro in 2024 (all provinces together: 8.7%); 6th highest of the 24 provinces.
Source: Banco Central del Ecuador · saved copyHow much of the economy of El Oro is public administration?
Public administration and defence made up 8.5% of gross value added in El Oro in 2024 and education 5.1%, against 7.5% and 5.1% across the provinces; for public administration it is 8th lowest of the 24 provinces.
Source: Banco Central del Ecuador · saved copyHow El Oro compares with other provinces
Unemployment rate (2025)
El Oro ranks 7 of 24, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|
| 4 | Imbabura | 6.1% |
| 5 | Carchi | 4.9% |
| 6 | Loja | 4.0% |
| 7 | El Oro | 3.9% |
| 8 | Canar | 3.6% |
| 9 | Galapagos | 3.1% |
| 10 | Azuay | 2.5% |
Adequate employment rate (2025)
El Oro ranks 4 of 24, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Adequate employment rate |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Galapagos | 59.6% |
| 2 | Pichincha | 53.0% |
| 3 | Azuay | 44.9% |
| 4 | El Oro | 42.6% |
| 5 | Guayas | 41.3% |
| 6 | Santo Domingo de los Tsachilas | 39.4% |
| 7 | Los Rios | 32.5% |
Underemployment rate (2025)
El Oro ranks 8 of 24, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Underemployment rate |
|---|---|---|
| 5 | Guayas | 22.9% |
| 6 | Esmeraldas | 22.6% |
| 7 | Cotopaxi | 20.5% |
| 8 | El Oro | 20.5% |
| 9 | Bolivar | 20.3% |
| 10 | Pastaza | 19.7% |
| 11 | Tungurahua | 19.4% |
Informal sector share of employment (2025)
El Oro ranks 22 of 24, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Informal sector share of employment |
|---|---|---|
| 18 | Tungurahua | 52.0% |
| 19 | Guayas | 51.9% |
| 20 | Los Rios | 51.4% |
| 21 | Azuay | 47.2% |
| 22 | El Oro | 43.3% |
| 23 | Pichincha | 28.4% |
| 24 | Galapagos | 16.2% |
Gross value added (current US$ million) (2024 (provisional))
El Oro ranks 7 of 24, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Gross value added (current US$ million) |
|---|---|---|
| 4 | Orellana | US$6,045 million |
| 5 | Azuay | US$5,331 million |
| 6 | Los Rios | US$4,380 million |
| 7 | El Oro | US$3,916 million |
| 8 | Sucumbios | US$3,192 million |
| 9 | Tungurahua | US$2,558 million |
| 10 | Esmeraldas | US$2,087 million |
Gross value added per person (US$) (2024 (provisional))
El Oro ranks 9 of 24, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Gross value added per person (US$) |
|---|---|---|
| 6 | Pastaza | US$7,504 |
| 7 | Guayas | US$7,435 |
| 8 | Azuay | US$6,414 |
| 9 | El Oro | US$5,231 |
| 10 | Los Rios | US$4,522 |
| 11 | Tungurahua | US$4,417 |
| 12 | Napo | US$4,251 |
Change in gross value added, 2019 to 2024 (current prices) (2024 (provisional))
El Oro ranks 8 of 24, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Change in gross value added, 2019 to 2024 (current prices) |
|---|---|---|
| 5 | Morona Santiago | +25.2% |
| 6 | Napo | +18.3% |
| 7 | Guayas | +16.7% |
| 8 | El Oro | +15.7% |
| 9 | Santo Domingo de los Tsachilas | +15.5% |
| 10 | Azuay | +14.5% |
| 11 | Pastaza | +14.2% |
Agriculture, livestock, forestry and fishing share of value added (2024 (provisional))
El Oro ranks 6 of 24, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Agriculture, livestock, forestry and fishing share of value added |
|---|---|---|
| 3 | Cotopaxi | 32.5% |
| 4 | Carchi | 28.2% |
| 5 | Esmeraldas | 25.1% |
| 6 | El Oro | 22.9% |
| 7 | Santo Domingo de los Tsachilas | 20.0% |
| 8 | Manabi | 17.6% |
| 9 | Chimborazo | 13.1% |
Oil and mining share of value added (2024 (provisional))
El Oro ranks 6 of 24, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Oil and mining share of value added |
|---|---|---|
| 3 | Sucumbios | 68.2% |
| 4 | Pastaza | 61.6% |
| 5 | Napo | 10.0% |
| 6 | El Oro | 8.7% |
| 7 | Azuay | 4.8% |
| 8 | Santa Elena | 4.7% |
| 9 | Imbabura | 1.0% |
Public administration and defence share of value added (2024 (provisional))
El Oro ranks 17 of 24, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Public administration and defence share of value added |
|---|---|---|
| 14 | Tungurahua | 10.3% |
| 15 | Esmeraldas | 10.1% |
| 16 | Azuay | 8.9% |
| 17 | El Oro | 8.5% |
| 18 | Santo Domingo de los Tsachilas | 8.2% |
| 19 | Sucumbios | 7.6% |
| 20 | Los Rios | 7.3% |
More on El Oro: overview · health · education and schools · poverty and living standards · Ecuador
Sources
- Instituto Nacional de Estadística y Censos (INEC): ENEMDU Anual 2025 (Encuesta Nacional de Empleo, Desempleo y Subempleo): tabulados de mercado laboral, educación, vivienda, pobreza y desigualdad por provincia, 2018-2025, read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 f969666762d3…)
- Banco Central del Ecuador: Valor Agregado Bruto per cápita provincial y cantonal 2018-2024(p), Cuentas Nacionales Regionales, read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 7cc7b914bc8b…)
- Banco Central del Ecuador: Cuentas Provinciales 2024(p): valor agregado bruto por industria, valores corrientes, read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 bfee6bc272cc…)
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