Economy, jobs and prices in Pichincha, Ecuador: official figures
The unemployment rate in Pichincha was 6.6% in 2025, above the national rate of 3.6%; 2nd highest of the 24 provinces. In 2019 it was 8.0%.
What is the underemployment rate in Pichincha?
The underemployment rate in Pichincha was 13.0% in 2025 (national 19.4%), 4th lowest of the 24 provinces; in 2019 it was 12.5%.
Source: Instituto Nacional de Estadística y Censos (INEC) · saved copyHow big is the informal sector in Pichincha?
The informal sector accounted for 28.4% of employment in Pichincha in 2025, below the national figure of 51.5%; 2nd lowest of the 24 provinces. In 2018 it was 24.0%.
Source: Instituto Nacional de Estadística y Censos (INEC) · saved copyHow many people in Pichincha work without pay?
The unpaid employment rate in Pichincha was 4.3% in 2025 (national 8.8%), 5th 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 Pichincha?
The labour force participation rate in Pichincha was 65.3% in 2025 against 64.3% nationally, 12th 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 Pichincha?
The Banco Central del Ecuador puts the gross value added of Pichincha at US$29.8 billion in 2024 (provisional, current prices), 25.9% of the national US$115.1 billion; 2nd highest of the 24 provinces.
Source: Banco Central del Ecuador · saved copyIs the economy of Pichincha growing?
Gross value added in Pichincha was US$30.0 billion in 2023 and US$29.8 billion in 2024, a change of -1.0% against +1.2% nationally. Compared with 2019 (before the pandemic) it is +6.1% in current prices (+14.0% nationally); 7th lowest growth of the 24 provinces.
Source: Banco Central del Ecuador · saved copyWhat is the GDP per person in Pichincha?
Gross value added per person in Pichincha was US$9,094 in 2024 (provisional), above the national average of US$6,407; 5th highest of the 24 provinces. In 2018 it was US$9,097.
Source: Banco Central del Ecuador · saved copyWhat are the main industries in Pichincha?
The largest activity group in the economy of Pichincha in 2024 was real estate, professional and administrative services, with 22.5% of gross value added. Other groups: wholesale and retail trade 16.2%, manufacturing 13.0%, public administration and defence 6.2%.
Source: Banco Central del Ecuador · saved copyHow important is agriculture in Pichincha?
Agriculture, livestock, forestry and fishing accounted for 3.1% of gross value added in Pichincha in 2024, against 9.9% across the provinces; 5th lowest of the 24 provinces.
Source: Banco Central del Ecuador · saved copyHow much of the economy of Pichincha comes from oil and mining?
Oil and mining accounted for 0.1% of gross value added in Pichincha in 2024 (all provinces together: 8.7%); 5th lowest of the 24 provinces.
Source: Banco Central del Ecuador · saved copyHow much of the economy of Pichincha is public administration?
Public administration and defence made up 6.2% of gross value added in Pichincha in 2024 and education 3.4%, against 7.5% and 5.1% across the provinces; for public administration it is 3rd lowest of the 24 provinces.
Source: Banco Central del Ecuador · saved copyHow Pichincha compares with other provinces
Unemployment rate (2025)
Pichincha ranks 2 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)
Pichincha ranks 2 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)
Pichincha ranks 21 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)
Pichincha ranks 23 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))
Pichincha ranks 2 of 24, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Gross value added (current US$ million) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Guayas | US$35,240 million |
| 2 | Pichincha | US$29,759 million |
| 3 | Manabi | US$6,377 million |
| 4 | Orellana | US$6,045 million |
| 5 | Azuay | US$5,331 million |
| 6 | Los Rios | US$4,380 million |
| 7 | El Oro | US$3,916 million |
Gross value added per person (US$) (2024 (provisional))
Pichincha ranks 5 of 24, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Gross value added per person (US$) |
|---|---|---|
| 2 | Sucumbios | US$15,551 |
| 3 | Zamora Chinchipe | US$14,312 |
| 4 | Galapagos | US$9,860 |
| 5 | Pichincha | US$9,094 |
| 6 | Pastaza | US$7,504 |
| 7 | Guayas | US$7,435 |
| 8 | Azuay | US$6,414 |
Change in gross value added, 2019 to 2024 (current prices) (2024 (provisional))
Pichincha ranks 18 of 24, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Change in gross value added, 2019 to 2024 (current prices) |
|---|---|---|
| 15 | Loja | +9.5% |
| 16 | Canar | +8.7% |
| 17 | Cotopaxi | +6.8% |
| 18 | Pichincha | +6.1% |
| 19 | Imbabura | +1.7% |
| 20 | Tungurahua | -1.7% |
| 21 | Chimborazo | -2.8% |
Agriculture, livestock, forestry and fishing share of value added (2024 (provisional))
Pichincha ranks 20 of 24, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Agriculture, livestock, forestry and fishing share of value added |
|---|---|---|
| 17 | Santa Elena | 4.9% |
| 18 | Galapagos | 4.3% |
| 19 | Sucumbios | 4.2% |
| 20 | Pichincha | 3.1% |
| 21 | Azuay | 2.1% |
| 22 | Orellana | 1.6% |
| 23 | Pastaza | 1.5% |
Oil and mining share of value added (2024 (provisional))
Pichincha ranks 20 of 24, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Oil and mining share of value added |
|---|---|---|
| 17 | Chimborazo | 0.1% |
| 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% |
Public administration and defence share of value added (2024 (provisional))
Pichincha ranks 22 of 24, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Public administration and defence share of value added |
|---|---|---|
| 18 | Santo Domingo de los Tsachilas | 8.2% |
| 19 | Sucumbios | 7.6% |
| 20 | Los Rios | 7.3% |
| 21 | Bolivar | 6.3% |
| 22 | Pichincha | 6.2% |
| 23 | Guayas | 4.9% |
| 24 | Orellana | 3.0% |
More on Pichincha: 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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