Daily coverage from across the country, written for the expat community
A Click Research poll says 67% support creating a new canton from nine Quito valley parishes, with insecurity leading the local problem list.
Ecuador recorded 3,485 violent deaths from January through May 2026, while Quito’s recent alerts have centered more on explosives, intimidation, and microtrafficking.
The winning design for Ecuador’s new National Museum in Quito calls for a 36,000-square-meter building near La Carolina to house about 1.4 million cultural and heritage items.
Private health insurance continues to grow in Ecuador, with more than 1.7 million people covered and health insurance premiums reaching USD 180.5 million in 2025.
A new look at Ecuador’s transmission system shows 12 of 45 power transformers operating beyond their designed life, with several strategic substations lacking a reserve transformer.
Ecuador’s e-commerce market exceeded USD 7 billion in 2025 as faster delivery, payment options, and marketplace logistics turned online buying into a permanent habit.
A severe flooding emergency in Zamora Chinchipe left five people dead, trapped residents on roofs and river islets, and disrupted the Loja-Zamora route. Rescue teams reported 38 civilians and 10 firefighters brought to safety.
Ecuador’s social security system had 3.6 million active affiliates as of May 2026, up more than 102,000 from a year earlier. The useful part for expats is understanding the difference between dependent, independent, voluntary, domestic-work, and youth affiliation.
At least 460 hospitals and health centers are located in Ecuador parishes under yellow alert for El Nino. Most are small health centers, and the risk list is concentrated heavily in Manabi and Guayas.
Spain’s housing prices rose about 14% in the first quarter of 2026, and Ecuadorian migrants are concentrated in several of the pressured markets. Madrid alone has around 130,000 Ecuadorian residents.
Quito’s school-vacation season now includes municipal and private courses for children, teens, and adults. Options range from free workshops and city activities to Cumbaya programs priced by week or full camp.
Guayaquil’s ATM is offering staged discounts for July vehicle technical review appointments tied to plates ending in 6. The discount falls from 20% to 10% as the July 15 cutoff approaches.
