Economy, jobs and prices in Morona Santiago, Ecuador: official figures
The unemployment rate in Morona Santiago was 0.1% in 2025, below the national rate of 3.6%; the lowest of the 24 provinces. In 2019 it was 1.3%.
What is the underemployment rate in Morona Santiago?
The underemployment rate in Morona Santiago was 11.5% in 2025 (national 19.4%), 3rd lowest of the 24 provinces; in 2019 it was 14.8%.
Source: Instituto Nacional de Estadística y Censos (INEC) · saved copyHow big is the informal sector in Morona Santiago?
The informal sector accounted for 87.4% of employment in Morona Santiago in 2025, above the national figure of 51.5%; the highest of the 24 provinces. In 2018 it was 76.8%.
Source: Instituto Nacional de Estadística y Censos (INEC) · saved copyHow many people in Morona Santiago work without pay?
The unpaid employment rate in Morona Santiago was 42.0% in 2025 (national 8.8%), the highest 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 Morona Santiago?
The labour force participation rate in Morona Santiago was 89.4% in 2025 against 64.3% nationally, 3rd highest 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 Morona Santiago?
The Banco Central del Ecuador puts the gross value added of Morona Santiago at US$559 million in 2024 (provisional, current prices), 0.5% of the national US$115.1 billion; 2nd lowest of the 24 provinces.
Source: Banco Central del Ecuador · saved copyIs the economy of Morona Santiago growing?
Gross value added in Morona Santiago was US$531 million in 2023 and US$559 million in 2024, a change of +5.2% against +1.2% nationally. Compared with 2019 (before the pandemic) it is +25.2% in current prices (+14.0% nationally); 5th highest growth of the 24 provinces.
Source: Banco Central del Ecuador · saved copyWhat is the GDP per person in Morona Santiago?
Gross value added per person in Morona Santiago was US$2,707 in 2024 (provisional), below the national average of US$6,407; the lowest of the 24 provinces. In 2018 it was US$2,441.
Source: Banco Central del Ecuador · saved copyWhat are the main industries in Morona Santiago?
The largest activity group in the economy of Morona Santiago in 2024 was public administration and defence, with 41.4% of gross value added. Other groups: wholesale and retail trade 7.8%, manufacturing 0.8%.
Source: Banco Central del Ecuador · saved copyHow important is agriculture in Morona Santiago?
Agriculture, livestock, forestry and fishing accounted for 9.5% of gross value added in Morona Santiago in 2024, against 9.9% across the provinces; 11th highest of the 24 provinces.
Source: Banco Central del Ecuador · saved copyHow much of the economy of Morona Santiago comes from oil and mining?
Oil and mining accounted for 0.9% of gross value added in Morona Santiago in 2024 (all provinces together: 8.7%); 10th highest of the 24 provinces.
Source: Banco Central del Ecuador · saved copyHow much of the economy of Morona Santiago is public administration?
Public administration and defence made up 41.4% of gross value added in Morona Santiago in 2024 and education 11.7%, against 7.5% and 5.1% across the provinces; for public administration it is the highest of the 24 provinces.
Source: Banco Central del Ecuador · saved copyHow Morona Santiago compares with other provinces
Unemployment rate (2025)
Morona Santiago ranks 24 of 24, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|
| 18 | Los Rios | 1.7% |
| 19 | Zamora Chinchipe | 1.6% |
| 20 | Santo Domingo de los Tsachilas | 1.3% |
| 21 | Bolivar | 1.2% |
| 22 | Napo | 1.2% |
| 23 | Orellana | 1.1% |
| 24 | Morona Santiago | 0.1% |
Adequate employment rate (2025)
Morona Santiago ranks 24 of 24, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Adequate employment rate |
|---|---|---|
| 18 | Bolivar | 24.9% |
| 19 | Carchi | 24.4% |
| 20 | Pastaza | 24.1% |
| 21 | Chimborazo | 21.6% |
| 22 | Orellana | 17.8% |
| 23 | Napo | 11.9% |
| 24 | Morona Santiago | 9.8% |
Underemployment rate (2025)
Morona Santiago ranks 22 of 24, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Underemployment rate |
|---|---|---|
| 18 | Zamora Chinchipe | 14.7% |
| 19 | Loja | 14.2% |
| 20 | Canar | 13.8% |
| 21 | Pichincha | 13.0% |
| 22 | Morona Santiago | 11.5% |
| 23 | Azuay | 10.0% |
| 24 | Galapagos | 6.8% |
Informal sector share of employment (2025)
Morona Santiago ranks 1 of 24, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Informal sector share of employment |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Morona Santiago | 87.4% |
| 2 | Napo | 81.5% |
| 3 | Bolivar | 77.2% |
| 4 | Orellana | 77.1% |
| 5 | Chimborazo | 68.1% |
| 6 | Pastaza | 66.3% |
| 7 | Zamora Chinchipe | 63.3% |
Gross value added (current US$ million) (2024 (provisional))
Morona Santiago ranks 23 of 24, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Gross value added (current US$ million) |
|---|---|---|
| 18 | Pastaza | US$893 million |
| 19 | Canar | US$857 million |
| 20 | Bolivar | US$626 million |
| 21 | Napo | US$589 million |
| 22 | Carchi | US$581 million |
| 23 | Morona Santiago | US$559 million |
| 24 | Galapagos | US$297 million |
Gross value added per person (US$) (2024 (provisional))
Morona Santiago ranks 24 of 24, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Gross value added per person (US$) |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| 23 | Chimborazo | US$2,740 |
| 24 | Morona Santiago | US$2,707 |
Change in gross value added, 2019 to 2024 (current prices) (2024 (provisional))
Morona Santiago ranks 5 of 24, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Change in gross value added, 2019 to 2024 (current prices) |
|---|---|---|
| 2 | Bolivar | +51.3% |
| 3 | Los Rios | +39.4% |
| 4 | Manabi | +30.2% |
| 5 | Morona Santiago | +25.2% |
| 6 | Napo | +18.3% |
| 7 | Guayas | +16.7% |
| 8 | El Oro | +15.7% |
Agriculture, livestock, forestry and fishing share of value added (2024 (provisional))
Morona Santiago ranks 11 of 24, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Agriculture, livestock, forestry and fishing share of value added |
|---|---|---|
| 8 | Manabi | 17.6% |
| 9 | Chimborazo | 13.1% |
| 10 | Canar | 11.0% |
| 11 | Morona Santiago | 9.5% |
| 12 | Tungurahua | 8.9% |
| 13 | Imbabura | 8.8% |
| 14 | Guayas | 8.4% |
Oil and mining share of value added (2024 (provisional))
Morona Santiago ranks 10 of 24, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Oil and mining share of value added |
|---|---|---|
| 7 | Azuay | 4.8% |
| 8 | Santa Elena | 4.7% |
| 9 | Imbabura | 1.0% |
| 10 | Morona Santiago | 0.9% |
| 11 | Loja | 0.5% |
| 12 | Santo Domingo de los Tsachilas | 0.3% |
| 13 | Guayas | 0.3% |
Public administration and defence share of value added (2024 (provisional))
Morona Santiago ranks 1 of 24, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Public administration and defence share of value added |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Morona Santiago | 41.4% |
| 2 | Napo | 21.0% |
| 3 | Galapagos | 18.1% |
| 4 | Chimborazo | 17.1% |
| 5 | Loja | 16.5% |
| 6 | Carchi | 15.8% |
| 7 | Canar | 15.7% |
More on Morona Santiago: 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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