Americas > South America > Ecuador

Ecuador

Capital: Quito; GDP growth (annual %) 2016 : -1.5 %;

Higher earning Why a university degree is worth more in some countries than others

A university education may expand your mind. It will as well fatten your wallet. Data from the OECD, a club of rich nations, show that graduates can expect far better lifetime earnings than those without a degree.

The size of this premium varies. It is greatest in Ireland, which has a high GDP per chief and rising inequality. Since 2000 the unemployment rate for under-35s has swelled to 8% for those with degrees – but to additional than 20% for those without, and nearly 40% for secondary school drop-outs. The country’s wealth presently goes disproportionately to workers with letters next their names.
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China looks to deepen ties with Latin America

China's president, Xi Jinping, has embarked on a week-long visit to Latin America that will include national visits to Ecuador, Peru and Chile. Mr Xi's trip comes instantly on the heels of a US presidential election that has called the next of US-Latin America relations into question, and highlights China's emergence as a key trade and investment partner for the region.
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Guayaquil real estate Big construction projects to substantially improve quality of life

The myriad of construction works in Guayaquil and the neighboring town of Samborondón will have a huge impact on livelihoods. But perhaps the majority significant of all these works is Mi Lote, an affordable housing project that will slash the housing deficit by providing thousands of homes to poorer families for as little as $6,500 over the coming years
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Key Facts: Full name: Republic of Ecuador
Population: 14.6 million (UN, 2011)
Area: 272,045 sq km (105,037 sq miles)
Major languages: Spanish, indigenous languages
Major religion: Christianity
Life expectancy: 73 years (men), 79 years (women) (UN)
Monetary unit: 1 US dollar = 100 cents
Main exports: Petroleum, bananas, shrimp, coffee, cocoa, cut flowers, fish
GNI per capita: US$ 4,140 (World Bank, 2011)
Internet domain: .ec
International dialling code: +593

top news
Country Profile

Climate change laws around the world
2017/05/14
There has been a 20-fold increase in the number of global climate change laws since 1997, according to the most comprehensive database of relevant policy and legislation.

The database, produced by the Grantham Research Institute on Climate Change and the Environment and the Sabin Center on Climate Change Law, includes more than 1,200 relevant policies across 164 countries, which account for 95% of global greenhouse gas emissions.

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Latin America Economy Renewed confidence in Latin America’s brightest economy
2017/03/04
The PPK cabinet has been working diligently to modernize the country and replace business confidence, while unlocking investments and infrastructure megaprojects in a bid to boost the country’s economy

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Guayaquil's tourism Annual tourist arrivals swell to 1 million
2016/01/16
Guayaquil is a city with a purpose, and that is to make sure its visitors have a good time. One of Ecuador’s most versatile destinations has polished its tourism act, presenting today’s visitors with a multi-tiered offering

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Latin America: external vulnerabilities and FX pressure valves
2015/10/03

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Ecuador's new direction receives a mixed response
2014/09/14
Ecuador is striving to re-establish ties with the International Monetary Fund and World Bank, tap international capital markets and embrace orthodox economic policies. However, when it comes to banking, the country's new direction is not proving to be universally popular.

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Outlook for 2013-17
2013/10/31
The country (Ecuador) is situated in Western South America, bordering the Pacific Ocean at the Equator, between Colombia and Peru.
It has borders with Colombia for 590km and Peru for 1420km.
Land in Ecuador is coastal plain (costa), inter-Andean central highlands (sierra), and flat to rolling eastern jungle (oriente).

OVERVIEW

The continuation of the improved political stability that Ecuador has enjoyed in recent years since Rafael Correa became president, although conflicts over environmental issues will sustain the risk of social unrest. The president remains highly popular, and his commanding majority in the National Assembly (Ecuador's Congress) will relieve the passage of legislation.

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