Highest Poverty in Ecuador

Top 100 cities ranked by highest poverty

Largest Cities Smallest Cities Most Dense Least Dense Highest Income Lowest Income Lowest Unemployment Highest Unemployment Lowest Poverty Highest Poverty Highest Rent Lowest Rent Most Educated Youngest Cities Oldest Cities Safest Cities Highest Crime Warmest Cities Coldest Cities Rainiest Cities Driest Cities

All Countries · Ecuador

Highest Poverty — Ecuador

1 Sangolquí 18 7.3%

2 Marcabelí 08 7.3%

3 Celica 12 7.3%

4 Pedernales 14 7.3%

5 Palora 15 7.3%

6 Tres Postes 10 7.3%

7 Echeandía 03 7.3%

8 Puerto Baquerizo Moreno 01 7.3%

9 Coronel Marcelino Maridueña 10 7.3%

10 Archidona 23 7.3%

11 Pimampiro 11 7.3%

12 Sucúa 15 7.3%

13 Píllaro 19 7.3%

14 Lomas de Sargentillo 10 7.3%

15 Balsas 08 7.3%

16 Oyambarillo 18 7.3%

17 Cotacachi 11 7.3%

18 Puerto Bolívar 08 7.3%

19 Baba 13 7.3%

20 Palenque 13 7.3%

21 Junín 14 7.3%

22 Paján 14 7.3%

23 Palestina 10 7.3%

24 Colimes 10 7.3%

25 Baños 19 7.3%

26 Portovelo 08 7.3%

27 Catarama 13 7.3%

28 Cañar 04 7.3%

29 Yantzaza 20 7.3%

30 Rocafuerte 14 7.3%

31 San Miguel 07 7.3%

32 Catacocha 12 7.3%

33 Valdez 09 7.3%

34 Balao 10 7.3%

35 Zaruma 08 7.3%

36 Santa Lucía 10 7.3%

37 San Miguel de Bolívar 03 7.3%

38 Puerto López 14 7.3%

39 Alfredo Baquerizo Moreno 10 7.3%

40 Guano 06 7.3%

41 Puerto Ayora 01 7.3%

42 San Juan 13 7.3%

43 Santa Ana de Vuelta Larga 14 7.3%

44 Macará 12 7.3%

45 Muisne 09 7.3%

46 Alausí 06 7.3%

47 San Gabriel 05 7.3%

48 Tosagua 14 7.3%

49 Zamora 20 7.3%

50 Sucre 14 7.3%

51 Montalvo 13 7.3%

52 Pujilí 07 7.3%

53 La Maná 07 7.3%

54 Pelileo 19 7.3%

55 Cariamanga 12 7.3%

56 Piñas 08 7.3%

57 Gualaceo 02 7.3%

58 Tena 23 7.3%

59 Calceta 14 7.3%

60 Atuntaqui 11 7.3%

61 Montecristi 14 7.3%

62 Catamayo 12 7.3%

63 Valencia 13 7.3%

64 San Lorenzo de Esmeraldas 09 7.3%

65 Boca Suno 24 7.3%

66 Guaranda 03 7.3%

67 Pedro Carbo 10 7.3%

68 Macas 15 7.3%

69 Samborondón 10 7.3%

70 Nueva Loja 22 7.3%

71 Puyo 17 7.3%

72 Machachi 18 7.3%

73 Arenillas 08 7.3%

74 Cayambe 18 7.3%

75 Guabo 08 7.3%

76 Yaguachi Nuevo 10 7.3%

77 Pomasqui 18 7.3%

78 Playas 10 7.3%

79 Posorja 10 7.3%

80 Naranjal 10 7.3%

81 El Triunfo 10 7.3%

82 Otavalo 11 7.3%

83 Vinces 13 7.3%

84 Naranjito 10 7.3%

85 Azogues 04 7.3%

86 Jipijapa 14 7.3%

87 La Troncal 04 7.3%

88 Bahía de Caráquez 14 7.3%

89 Ventanas 13 7.3%

90 Huaquillas 08 7.3%

91 Balzar 10 7.3%

92 Santa Rosa 08 7.3%

93 Rosa Zarate 09 7.3%

94 Santa Elena 25 7.3%

95 Salinas 25 7.3%

96 Chone 14 7.3%

97 Pasaje 08 7.3%

98 Puerto Francisco de Orellana 24 7.3%

99 El Empalme 10 7.3%

100 La Libertad 10 7.3%

Cities with the highest poverty rates in Ecuador face deep economic challenges affecting a significant portion of their population. Sangolquí has a poverty rate of 7.3%.

High poverty rates impact communities in multiple ways: reduced access to healthcare and healthy food, lower educational outcomes, higher crime rates, and deteriorating infrastructure. These challenges are interconnected and require comprehensive solutions.

Addressing poverty in these cities requires a multi-pronged approach including economic development, affordable housing, quality education, healthcare access, and workforce training programs targeting underserved populations.

Did You Know?

1. In Sangolquí, 7.3% of residents — roughly 1 in 14 people — live below the poverty line.
2. Child poverty rates in these cities are often even higher than the overall rate, sometimes exceeding 40%.
3. Poverty is measured by household income relative to family size — the threshold varies from $15,060 for an individual to $31,200 for a family of four.

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