Ecuador
Americas
Key facts
- Capital
- Quito
- Population
- 18,289,896
- 2025
- Area
- 256,370 km²
- Official languages
- Spanish; Kichwa, Shuar (official for intercultural relations)
- Currency
- US Dollar
- USD
- GDP per capita
- US$7,125
- 2025
- Dual citizenship
- Allowed
- Ecuador allows dual citizenship: Ecuadorian nationality is not lost by acquiring another, and naturalised citizens need not renounce their nationality of origin.
Ecuador (Americas) has data on 12/14 Prosperous Intelligence indices. Strongest relative position: Cost of Living Index — #20/200 (83.7/100). Lowest relative position: Global Safety Index — #195/203 (33.8/100). The passport ranks #67/198 and reaches 82 destinations without a consular visa in advance. Global Citizenship Score 47.9/100 (#129/199). On the entry side, 152/197 passports can enter Ecuador without a consular visa in advance. The dataset records 3 active citizenship and residence programmes in Ecuador.
Scores on 12 indices
- Health & Longevity60.0
- Safety & Stability33.8
- Economy & Income76.4
- Education66.2
- Environment & Clean Water76.4
- Infrastructure79.6
- Digital Connectivity51.8
- Equality32.9
- Learning Quality48.4
- Educational Attainment83.9
- Expected Years of Schooling74.7
- Education Spending51.6
- Basic Access79.5
- Violent Crime0.0
- Stability & Absence of Terrorism40.3
- Law Enforcement & Order24.0
- Road Safety48.8
- Absence of Armed Conflict99.8
- Health Outcomes83.1
- Coverage & Access90.4
- Health Workforce & Facilities23.0
- Spending & Investment27.2
- Financial Protection59.4
- Personal Income Tax32.7
- Capital Gains & Dividends75.0
- System & Incentives45.0
- Net Wealth Tax100.0
- Inheritance & Gift Tax37.8
- Corporate & Social Security42.0
- Rule of Law & Property Rights23.5
- Political Stability40.3
- Institutions & Regulation37.2
- Financial Soundness69.4
- Monetary Stability100.0
- Freedom of Capital Movement55.0
- Education66.2
- Healthcare60.0
- Safety33.8
- Quality of Life59.5
- Cost of living83.7
- Passport32.5
- Passport32.5
- Quality of Life59.5
- Safety33.8
- Healthcare60.0
- Purchasing power & price stability38.4
- Education66.2
- Wealth Protection50.2
- Tax54.4
- Cost of living83.7
- Healthcare60.0
- Safety33.8
- Quality of Life59.5
- Tax54.4
- Wealth Protection50.2
- Affordable Prices76.7
- Price Stability100.0
- Purchasing power23.0
At a glance
Entering Ecuador
- Visa-free: 152 passports
- Visa on arrival: 0 passports
- eTA: 0 passports
- e-Visa: 0 passports
- Consular visa required: 45 passports
Regional position and data sources
- First in Americas on 1/12 indices: Cost of Living Index
- Above the regional median on 3/12 indices
- Each index lists its source and data date on the Data sources page
Citizenship and residence programmes in the dataset
- Residencia Temporal Inversionista (company shares)
- Visa Rentista Trabajo Remoto (Nómada)
- Visa Jubilado (Pensionista)
Frequently asked questions about Ecuador
What is the capital of Ecuador?
The capital of Ecuador is Quito.
What is the population of Ecuador?
According to the World Bank, Ecuador had a population of 18,289,896 in 2025.
What are the official languages of Ecuador?
The official languages of Ecuador are Spanish, Kichwa (official for intercultural relations) and Shuar (official for intercultural relations).
What currency does Ecuador use?
Ecuador uses the US Dollar (USD).
Does Ecuador allow dual citizenship?
Ecuador allows dual citizenship: Ecuadorian nationality is not lost by acquiring another, and naturalised citizens need not renounce their nationality of origin.
How strong is the Ecuador passport?
The Ecuador passport ranks #67 of 198 on Prosperous Intelligence’s Passport Index and reaches 82 destinations without applying for a consular visa in advance (visa-free, visa on arrival or eTA).
How many destinations require a visa for Ecuador passport holders?
Holders of the Ecuador passport must apply for a consular visa before travelling to 113 destinations and need an e-Visa for 52. Full list: Ecuador passport page.
How many passports can enter Ecuador without applying for a visa in advance?
152 of 197 passports can enter Ecuador without applying for a consular visa in advance: 152 visa-free. 45 must apply for a consular visa.
What citizenship and residency programmes does Ecuador offer?
The Prosperous Intelligence dataset records 3 active citizenship and residency programmes in Ecuador: Residencia Temporal Inversionista (company shares), Visa Rentista Trabajo Remoto (Nómada) and Visa Jubilado (Pensionista). Details: Opportunity Map.
What is the minimum investment for residency or citizenship in Ecuador?
In Ecuador, Residencia Temporal Inversionista (company shares) requires a minimum investment of US$47,000.
How long does an application take in Ecuador?
In Ecuador, an application under Visa Rentista Trabajo Remoto (Nómada) takes about 0 months and Visa Jubilado (Pensionista) about 1–3 months (reference processing time).
How long does it take to become a citizen of Ecuador through these programmes?
Through Residencia Temporal Inversionista (company shares), citizenship of Ecuador is possible after about 3 years, after a period of permanent residence; through Visa Rentista Trabajo Remoto (Nómada), citizenship of Ecuador is possible after about 3 years, after a period of permanent residence; through Visa Jubilado (Pensionista), citizenship of Ecuador is possible after about 3 years, after a period of permanent residence (reference time).
How many days a year do you need to spend in Ecuador?
In Ecuador, Visa Rentista Trabajo Remoto (Nómada) requires 0 days of physical presence a year and Visa Jubilado (Pensionista) 0 days (reference figure).
Can family members join programmes in Ecuador?
Family members included: Residencia Temporal Inversionista (company shares): spouse; Visa Rentista Trabajo Remoto (Nómada): spouse and children under 18; Visa Jubilado (Pensionista): spouse and children under 18.
Where is Ecuador strongest and weakest in Prosperous Intelligence’s indices?
Relative to other countries, Ecuador is strongest on the Cost of Living Index (#20 of 200) and weakest on the Global Safety Index (#195 of 203).
How does Ecuador rank for quality of life?
Ecuador scores 59.5/100 on Prosperous Intelligence’s Quality of Life Index, ranking #140 of 211.
Is Ecuador expensive to live in?
Ecuador scores 83.7/100 on Prosperous Intelligence’s Cost of Living Index, ranking #20 of 200. This is the affordability-of-living-costs score: a higher score means lower prices.
How safe is Ecuador?
Ecuador scores 33.8/100 on Prosperous Intelligence’s Global Safety Index, ranking #195 of 203.
How does Ecuador rank for healthcare?
Ecuador scores 60.0/100 on Prosperous Intelligence’s Healthcare Index, ranking #81 of 192.
How does Ecuador rank for education?
Ecuador scores 66.2/100 on Prosperous Intelligence’s Education Index, ranking #85 of 191.
What the profile contains
- Key facts from government and international sources
- Scores and global ranks on 12 Prosperous Intelligence indices
- Entry rules, passport strength and residency programmes
Why the profile matters
- Compare one country across many criteria on a single page
- Not a substitute for legal, tax or investment advice
Method
- How each index is scored and weighted
- The limits of the data and how to check official sources
