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Ecuador Unemployment Rate

Ecuador's unemployment rate increased to 4.9% in August 2025, up from 4.2% in July 2025. This marks the highest rate in three months. The rise occurred despite a first-quarter economic recovery fueled by consumption, exports and investment. Agriculture and fishing sectors showed strong growth. However, 52.5% of employed individuals work in the informal sector. Oil production decreased by 12% following drilling suspension in Yasuní National Park. Ecuador's record low unemployment rate was 3.6% in December 2024 and record high was 8.5% in May 2021.

Monthly Historical Data (2015-2025)

(in %)
Month Unemployment Rate
Aug 2025 4.9%
Jul 2025 4.2%
Jun 2025 4.5%
May 2025 5.2%
Apr 2025 4.7%
Mar 2025 4.2%
Feb 2025 4.4%
Jan 2025 5.1%
Dec 2024 3.6%
Nov 2024 5.1%
Oct 2024 4.7%
Sep 2024 4.9%
Aug 2024 5.3%
Jul 2024 4.9%
Jun 2024 4.1%
May 2024 4.6%
Apr 2024 4.5%
Mar 2024 5.2%
Feb 2024 5.5%
Jan 2024 5.4%
Dec 2023 4.4%
Nov 2023 4.8%
Oct 2023 4.6%
Sep 2023 4.8%
Aug 2023 4.5%
Jul 2023 5%
Jun 2023 5%
May 2023 4.1%
Apr 2023 5.4%
Mar 2023 4.9%
Feb 2023 5.2%
Jan 2023 4.9%
Dec 2022 4.2%
Nov 2022 4.7%
Oct 2022 5.3%
Sep 2022 5.2%
Aug 2022 5.2%
Jul 2022 4.9%
Jun 2022 5.2%
May 2022 4.4%
Apr 2022 5.9%
Mar 2022 6.2%
Feb 2022 5.5%
Jan 2022 7.4%
Dec 2021 5.3%
Nov 2021 5.8%
Oct 2021 5.7%
Sep 2021 6.5%
Aug 2021 6.2%
Jul 2021 6.4%
Jun 2021 6.8%
May 2021 8.5%
Apr 2021 6.8%
Mar 2021 6.1%
Feb 2021 6.9%
Jan 2021 6.9%
Dec 2020 6%
Nov 2020 7.7%
Oct 2020 7.6%
Sep 2020 8%
Dec 2019 4.9%
Sep 2019 5.9%
Jun 2019 5.6%
Mar 2019 5.8%
Dec 2018 4.8%
Sep 2018 5.2%
Jun 2018 5.2%
Mar 2018 5.7%
Dec 2017 5.8%
Sep 2017 5.4%
Jun 2017 5.8%
Mar 2017 5.6%
Dec 2016 6.5%
Sep 2016 6.7%
Jun 2016 6.7%
Mar 2016 7.4%
Dec 2015 5.7%
Sep 2015 5.5%
Ecuador Unemployment Rate : Definition
The Ecuador unemployment rate is the percentage of the total labor force seeking employment but unable to find work. It is calculated by dividing the number of unemployed individuals by the sum of employed and unemployed people in the labor force, then multiplying by 100. Ecuador's labor force includes persons aged 15 years and older.
Indicator Last Value Prior Value Period
Annual Unemployment Rate 4.77% 3.51% 2024
Female Labor Force Rate 52.44% 52.52% 2024