Economy, jobs and prices in Santa Elena, Ecuador: official figures
The unemployment rate in Santa Elena was 2.0% in 2025, below the national rate of 3.6%; 10th lowest of the 24 provinces. In 2019 it was 2.8%.
What is the underemployment rate in Santa Elena?
The underemployment rate in Santa Elena was 27.2% in 2025 (national 19.4%), 3rd highest of the 24 provinces; in 2019 it was 25.0%.
Source: Instituto Nacional de Estadística y Censos (INEC) · saved copyHow big is the informal sector in Santa Elena?
The informal sector accounted for 62.9% of employment in Santa Elena in 2025, above the national figure of 51.5%; 9th highest of the 24 provinces. In 2018 it was 52.0%.
Source: Instituto Nacional de Estadística y Censos (INEC) · saved copyHow many people in Santa Elena work without pay?
The unpaid employment rate in Santa Elena was 3.6% in 2025 (national 8.8%), 4th 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 Santa Elena?
The labour force participation rate in Santa Elena was 52.5% in 2025 against 64.3% nationally, the 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 Santa Elena?
The Banco Central del Ecuador puts the gross value added of Santa Elena at US$1.5 billion in 2024 (provisional, current prices), 1.3% of the national US$115.1 billion; 9th lowest of the 24 provinces.
Source: Banco Central del Ecuador · saved copyIs the economy of Santa Elena growing?
Gross value added in Santa Elena was US$1.4 billion in 2023 and US$1.5 billion in 2024, a change of +8.0% against +1.2% nationally. Compared with 2019 (before the pandemic) it is +12.9% in current prices (+14.0% nationally); 12th highest growth of the 24 provinces.
Source: Banco Central del Ecuador · saved copyWhat is the GDP per person in Santa Elena?
Gross value added per person in Santa Elena was US$3,783 in 2024 (provisional), below the national average of US$6,407; 10th lowest of the 24 provinces. In 2018 it was US$4,149.
Source: Banco Central del Ecuador · saved copyWhat are the main industries in Santa Elena?
The largest activity group in the economy of Santa Elena in 2024 was manufacturing, with 35.1% of gross value added. Other groups: wholesale and retail trade 12.4%, public administration and defence 12.3%.
Source: Banco Central del Ecuador · saved copyHow important is agriculture in Santa Elena?
Agriculture, livestock, forestry and fishing accounted for 4.9% of gross value added in Santa Elena in 2024, against 9.9% across the provinces; 8th lowest of the 24 provinces.
Source: Banco Central del Ecuador · saved copyHow much of the economy of Santa Elena comes from oil and mining?
Oil and mining accounted for 4.7% of gross value added in Santa Elena in 2024 (all provinces together: 8.7%); 8th highest of the 24 provinces.
Source: Banco Central del Ecuador · saved copyHow much of the economy of Santa Elena is public administration?
Public administration and defence made up 12.3% of gross value added in Santa Elena in 2024 and education 9.6%, against 7.5% and 5.1% across the provinces; for public administration it is 10th highest of the 24 provinces.
Source: Banco Central del Ecuador · saved copyHow Santa Elena compares with other provinces
Unemployment rate (2025)
Santa Elena ranks 15 of 24, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|
| 12 | Manabi | 2.5% |
| 13 | Cotopaxi | 2.1% |
| 14 | Pastaza | 2.1% |
| 15 | Santa Elena | 2.0% |
| 16 | Tungurahua | 1.9% |
| 17 | Chimborazo | 1.8% |
| 18 | Los Rios | 1.7% |
Adequate employment rate (2025)
Santa Elena ranks 10 of 24, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Adequate employment rate |
|---|---|---|
| 7 | Los Rios | 32.5% |
| 8 | Zamora Chinchipe | 32.1% |
| 9 | Canar | 31.7% |
| 10 | Santa Elena | 31.5% |
| 11 | Tungurahua | 30.5% |
| 12 | Imbabura | 29.3% |
| 13 | Manabi | 29.3% |
Underemployment rate (2025)
Santa Elena ranks 3 of 24, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Underemployment rate |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Manabi | 28.5% |
| 2 | Los Rios | 28.4% |
| 3 | Santa Elena | 27.2% |
| 4 | Napo | 25.3% |
| 5 | Guayas | 22.9% |
| 6 | Esmeraldas | 22.6% |
| 7 | Cotopaxi | 20.5% |
Informal sector share of employment (2025)
Santa Elena ranks 9 of 24, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Informal sector share of employment |
|---|---|---|
| 6 | Pastaza | 66.3% |
| 7 | Zamora Chinchipe | 63.3% |
| 8 | Cotopaxi | 63.1% |
| 9 | Santa Elena | 62.9% |
| 10 | Manabi | 61.7% |
| 11 | Sucumbios | 61.5% |
| 12 | Esmeraldas | 61.5% |
Gross value added (current US$ million) (2024 (provisional))
Santa Elena ranks 16 of 24, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Gross value added (current US$ million) |
|---|---|---|
| 13 | Loja | US$1,776 million |
| 14 | Zamora Chinchipe | US$1,684 million |
| 15 | Imbabura | US$1,606 million |
| 16 | Santa Elena | US$1,526 million |
| 17 | Chimborazo | US$1,339 million |
| 18 | Pastaza | US$893 million |
| 19 | Canar | US$857 million |
Gross value added per person (US$) (2024 (provisional))
Santa Elena ranks 15 of 24, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Gross value added per person (US$) |
|---|---|---|
| 12 | Napo | US$4,251 |
| 13 | Santo Domingo de los Tsachilas | US$3,902 |
| 14 | Cotopaxi | US$3,786 |
| 15 | Santa Elena | US$3,783 |
| 16 | Manabi | US$3,753 |
| 17 | Canar | US$3,611 |
| 18 | Loja | US$3,570 |
Change in gross value added, 2019 to 2024 (current prices) (2024 (provisional))
Santa Elena ranks 12 of 24, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Change in gross value added, 2019 to 2024 (current prices) |
|---|---|---|
| 9 | Santo Domingo de los Tsachilas | +15.5% |
| 10 | Azuay | +14.5% |
| 11 | Pastaza | +14.2% |
| 12 | Santa Elena | +12.9% |
| 13 | Sucumbios | +12.1% |
| 14 | Orellana | +11.9% |
| 15 | Loja | +9.5% |
Agriculture, livestock, forestry and fishing share of value added (2024 (provisional))
Santa Elena ranks 17 of 24, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Agriculture, livestock, forestry and fishing share of value added |
|---|---|---|
| 14 | Guayas | 8.4% |
| 15 | Napo | 8.2% |
| 16 | Loja | 5.7% |
| 17 | Santa Elena | 4.9% |
| 18 | Galapagos | 4.3% |
| 19 | Sucumbios | 4.2% |
| 20 | Pichincha | 3.1% |
Oil and mining share of value added (2024 (provisional))
Santa Elena ranks 8 of 24, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Oil and mining share of value added |
|---|---|---|
| 5 | Napo | 10.0% |
| 6 | El Oro | 8.7% |
| 7 | Azuay | 4.8% |
| 8 | Santa Elena | 4.7% |
| 9 | Imbabura | 1.0% |
| 10 | Morona Santiago | 0.9% |
| 11 | Loja | 0.5% |
Public administration and defence share of value added (2024 (provisional))
Santa Elena ranks 10 of 24, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Public administration and defence share of value added |
|---|---|---|
| 7 | Canar | 15.7% |
| 8 | Imbabura | 14.0% |
| 9 | Pastaza | 12.9% |
| 10 | Santa Elena | 12.3% |
| 11 | Manabi | 11.7% |
| 12 | Cotopaxi | 11.1% |
| 13 | Zamora Chinchipe | 11.0% |
More on Santa Elena: 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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