Economy, jobs and prices in Esmeraldas, Ecuador: official figures
The unemployment rate in Esmeraldas was 9.1% in 2025, above the national rate of 3.6%; the highest of the 24 provinces. In 2019 it was 10.4%.
What is the underemployment rate in Esmeraldas?
The underemployment rate in Esmeraldas was 22.6% in 2025 (national 19.4%), 6th highest of the 24 provinces; in 2019 it was 22.8%.
Source: Instituto Nacional de Estadística y Censos (INEC) · saved copyHow big is the informal sector in Esmeraldas?
The informal sector accounted for 61.5% of employment in Esmeraldas in 2025, above the national figure of 51.5%; 12th highest of the 24 provinces. In 2018 it was 50.1%.
Source: Instituto Nacional de Estadística y Censos (INEC) · saved copyHow many people in Esmeraldas work without pay?
The unpaid employment rate in Esmeraldas was 7.0% in 2025 (national 8.8%), 9th 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 Esmeraldas?
The labour force participation rate in Esmeraldas was 58.3% in 2025 against 64.3% nationally, 4th 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 Esmeraldas?
The Banco Central del Ecuador puts the gross value added of Esmeraldas at US$2.1 billion in 2024 (provisional, current prices), 1.8% of the national US$115.1 billion; 10th highest of the 24 provinces.
Source: Banco Central del Ecuador · saved copyIs the economy of Esmeraldas growing?
Gross value added in Esmeraldas was US$1.8 billion in 2023 and US$2.1 billion in 2024, a change of +13.8% against +1.2% nationally. Compared with 2019 (before the pandemic) it is -3.0% in current prices (+14.0% nationally); 3rd lowest growth of the 24 provinces.
Source: Banco Central del Ecuador · saved copyWhat is the GDP per person in Esmeraldas?
Gross value added per person in Esmeraldas was US$3,468 in 2024 (provisional), below the national average of US$6,407; 6th lowest of the 24 provinces. In 2018 it was US$4,237.
Source: Banco Central del Ecuador · saved copyWhat are the main industries in Esmeraldas?
The largest activity group in the economy of Esmeraldas in 2024 was manufacturing, with 26.3% of gross value added. Other groups: wholesale and retail trade 10.7%, public administration and defence 10.1%.
Source: Banco Central del Ecuador · saved copyHow important is agriculture in Esmeraldas?
Agriculture, livestock, forestry and fishing accounted for 25.1% of gross value added in Esmeraldas in 2024, against 9.9% across the provinces; 5th highest of the 24 provinces.
Source: Banco Central del Ecuador · saved copyHow much of the economy of Esmeraldas comes from oil and mining?
Oil and mining accounted for 0.0% of gross value added in Esmeraldas in 2024 (all provinces together: 8.7%); 4th lowest of the 24 provinces.
Source: Banco Central del Ecuador · saved copyHow much of the economy of Esmeraldas is public administration?
Public administration and defence made up 10.1% of gross value added in Esmeraldas in 2024 and education 7.5%, against 7.5% and 5.1% across the provinces; for public administration it is 10th lowest of the 24 provinces.
Source: Banco Central del Ecuador · saved copyHow Esmeraldas compares with other provinces
Unemployment rate (2025)
Esmeraldas ranks 1 of 24, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Esmeraldas | 9.1% |
| 2 | Pichincha | 6.6% |
| 3 | Sucumbios | 6.5% |
| 4 | Imbabura | 6.1% |
| 5 | Carchi | 4.9% |
| 6 | Loja | 4.0% |
| 7 | El Oro | 3.9% |
Adequate employment rate (2025)
Esmeraldas ranks 17 of 24, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Adequate employment rate |
|---|---|---|
| 14 | Sucumbios | 27.6% |
| 15 | Loja | 26.8% |
| 16 | Cotopaxi | 25.7% |
| 17 | Esmeraldas | 25.0% |
| 18 | Bolivar | 24.9% |
| 19 | Carchi | 24.4% |
| 20 | Pastaza | 24.1% |
Underemployment rate (2025)
Esmeraldas ranks 6 of 24, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Underemployment rate |
|---|---|---|
| 3 | Santa Elena | 27.2% |
| 4 | Napo | 25.3% |
| 5 | Guayas | 22.9% |
| 6 | Esmeraldas | 22.6% |
| 7 | Cotopaxi | 20.5% |
| 8 | El Oro | 20.5% |
| 9 | Bolivar | 20.3% |
Informal sector share of employment (2025)
Esmeraldas ranks 12 of 24, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Informal sector share of employment |
|---|---|---|
| 9 | Santa Elena | 62.9% |
| 10 | Manabi | 61.7% |
| 11 | Sucumbios | 61.5% |
| 12 | Esmeraldas | 61.5% |
| 13 | Carchi | 60.4% |
| 14 | Loja | 60.0% |
| 15 | Canar | 56.4% |
Gross value added (current US$ million) (2024 (provisional))
Esmeraldas ranks 10 of 24, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Gross value added (current US$ 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 |
| 11 | Santo Domingo de los Tsachilas | US$2,043 million |
| 12 | Cotopaxi | US$1,852 million |
| 13 | Loja | US$1,776 million |
Gross value added per person (US$) (2024 (provisional))
Esmeraldas ranks 19 of 24, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Gross value added per person (US$) |
|---|---|---|
| 16 | Manabi | US$3,753 |
| 17 | Canar | US$3,611 |
| 18 | Loja | US$3,570 |
| 19 | Esmeraldas | US$3,468 |
| 20 | Carchi | US$3,266 |
| 21 | Imbabura | US$3,252 |
| 22 | Bolivar | US$3,064 |
Change in gross value added, 2019 to 2024 (current prices) (2024 (provisional))
Esmeraldas ranks 22 of 24, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Change in gross value added, 2019 to 2024 (current prices) |
|---|---|---|
| 18 | Pichincha | +6.1% |
| 19 | Imbabura | +1.7% |
| 20 | Tungurahua | -1.7% |
| 21 | Chimborazo | -2.8% |
| 22 | Esmeraldas | -3.0% |
| 23 | Carchi | -4.0% |
| 24 | Galapagos | -18.0% |
Agriculture, livestock, forestry and fishing share of value added (2024 (provisional))
Esmeraldas ranks 5 of 24, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Agriculture, livestock, forestry and fishing share of value added |
|---|---|---|
| 2 | Los Rios | 50.2% |
| 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% |
Oil and mining share of value added (2024 (provisional))
Esmeraldas ranks 21 of 24, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Oil and mining share of value added |
|---|---|---|
| 18 | Manabi | 0.1% |
| 19 | Canar | 0.1% |
| 20 | Pichincha | 0.1% |
| 21 | Esmeraldas | 0.0% |
| 22 | Tungurahua | 0.0% |
| 23 | Los Rios | 0.0% |
| 24 | Galapagos | 0.0% |
Public administration and defence share of value added (2024 (provisional))
Esmeraldas ranks 15 of 24, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Public administration and defence share of value added |
|---|---|---|
| 12 | Cotopaxi | 11.1% |
| 13 | Zamora Chinchipe | 11.0% |
| 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% |
More on Esmeraldas: 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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