Health in Esmeraldas, Ecuador: official figures
Life expectancy at birth in Esmeraldas is projected at 75.6 years in 2026 (both sexes), 4th lowest of the 24 provinces; in 2010 it was 70.9 years. The national figure is 77.9 years (population-weighted average of the provinces).
How many people die each year in Esmeraldas?
INEC recorded 2,481 deaths among residents of Esmeraldas in 2024, a rate of 4.12 per 1,000 people against 4.98 nationally; 7th lowest of the 24 provinces. In 2019 the rate was 3.32 and in 2020, the first pandemic year, 4.60.
Source: Instituto Nacional de Estadística y Censos (INEC) · saved copyWhat is the infant mortality rate in Esmeraldas?
The infant mortality rate in Esmeraldas was 6.9 deaths of children under one year per 1,000 births in 2024 (75 deaths), against 8.9 nationally; 8th lowest of the 24 provinces. In 2019 it was 7.1.
Source: Instituto Nacional de Estadística y Censos (INEC) · saved copyWhat is the child mortality rate in Esmeraldas?
The mortality rate for children under five in Esmeraldas was 9.0 per 1,000 births in 2024 (100 deaths) against 11.2 nationally; 7th lowest of the 24 provinces.
Source: Instituto Nacional de Estadística y Censos (INEC) · saved copyHow many mothers die in childbirth in Esmeraldas?
7 maternal deaths were recorded among residents of Esmeraldas in 2024; the national total was 90, a ratio of 34.2 per 100,000 births. Provincial ratios are based on small counts.
Source: Instituto Nacional de Estadística y Censos (INEC) · saved copyHow many babies are born in Esmeraldas each year?
11,091 live births were registered for mothers living in Esmeraldas in 2023, a crude birth rate of 18.5 per 1,000 people (5th highest of the 24 provinces); in 2019 there were 11,696, a change of -5.2% (national -16.3%).
Source: Instituto Nacional de Estadística y Censos (INEC) · saved copyHow many births in Esmeraldas are attended by a doctor or midwife?
96.9% of live births in Esmeraldas in 2024 were attended by professional health staff, against 97.2% nationally; 12th lowest of the 24 provinces.
Source: Instituto Nacional de Estadística y Censos (INEC) · saved copyHow Esmeraldas compares with other provinces
Life expectancy at birth (years) (2026)
Esmeraldas ranks 21 of 24, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Life expectancy at birth (years) |
|---|---|---|
| 18 | Santa Elena | 75.9 |
| 19 | Sucumbios | 75.9 |
| 20 | Manabi | 75.6 |
| 21 | Esmeraldas | 75.6 |
| 22 | Los Rios | 75.5 |
| 23 | Orellana | 75.2 |
| 24 | Guayas | 75.1 |
General mortality rate (deaths per 1,000 people) (2024)
Esmeraldas ranks 18 of 24, highest first.
| Rank | Region | General mortality rate (deaths per 1,000 people) |
|---|---|---|
| 15 | Azuay | 4.64 |
| 16 | Santo Domingo de los Tsachilas | 4.46 |
| 17 | Pichincha | 4.24 |
| 18 | Esmeraldas | 4.12 |
| 19 | Zamora Chinchipe | 3.94 |
| 20 | Napo | 3.90 |
| 21 | Orellana | 3.73 |
Infant mortality rate (deaths under age 1 per 1,000 births) (2024)
Esmeraldas ranks 17 of 24, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Infant mortality rate (deaths under age 1 per 1,000 births) |
|---|---|---|
| 14 | Azuay | 7.4 |
| 15 | Imbabura | 7.0 |
| 16 | Los Rios | 6.9 |
| 17 | Esmeraldas | 6.9 |
| 18 | Canar | 6.4 |
| 19 | Morona Santiago | 6.4 |
| 20 | Tungurahua | 5.6 |
Under-5 mortality rate (per 1,000 births) (2024)
Esmeraldas ranks 18 of 24, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Under-5 mortality rate (per 1,000 births) |
|---|---|---|
| 15 | Morona Santiago | 10.0 |
| 16 | Canar | 9.9 |
| 17 | Santo Domingo de los Tsachilas | 9.6 |
| 18 | Esmeraldas | 9.0 |
| 19 | Tungurahua | 9.0 |
| 20 | Los Rios | 8.9 |
| 21 | Azuay | 8.8 |
Live births with low birth weight (under 2,500 g) (2024)
Esmeraldas ranks 13 of 24, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Live births with low birth weight (under 2,500 g) |
|---|---|---|
| 10 | Manabi | 8.9% |
| 11 | Imbabura | 8.5% |
| 12 | Los Rios | 8.5% |
| 13 | Esmeraldas | 8.0% |
| 14 | Santo Domingo de los Tsachilas | 7.8% |
| 15 | Galapagos | 7.7% |
| 16 | El Oro | 7.5% |
Births attended by professional health staff (2024)
Esmeraldas ranks 13 of 24, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Births attended by professional health staff |
|---|---|---|
| 10 | Tungurahua | 98.4% |
| 11 | Canar | 97.7% |
| 12 | Loja | 97.2% |
| 13 | Esmeraldas | 96.9% |
| 14 | Imbabura | 96.6% |
| 15 | Carchi | 96.2% |
| 16 | Zamora Chinchipe | 94.9% |
More on Esmeraldas: overview · economy and jobs · education and schools · poverty and living standards · Ecuador
Sources
- Instituto Nacional de Estadística y Censos (INEC): Registro Estadístico de Defunciones Generales 2024: tabulados y series (mortality by province of residence, 2008-2024), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 7cab0c22d7cd…)
- Instituto Nacional de Estadística y Censos (INEC): Registro Estadístico de Nacidos Vivos y Defunciones Fetales 2024: tabulados y series históricas (births by province of residence), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 fa2d677df1e0…)
- Instituto Nacional de Estadística y Censos (INEC): Estimaciones y Proyecciones de Población, revisión 2024 (Censo 2022 base): provincial tables by age and demographic indicators, 1990-2035, read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 54951201c6d7…)
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