8 percent for men and 11.8 percent for women. In rural areas it is far higher than in urban areas.
Unemployment
According to the Professor of Economics Valencia of the University of Quito, every second Ecuadorian does not have secured work. Sources of income are frequently odd jobs and working as a street vendor. The economic misery promotes emigration; every year 600 000 Ecuadorians leave their country to find work elsewhere. A majority illegally immigrates to the USA, travels to Spain or other countries.
Poverty
71% of the population lives in poverty, 31% in extreme poverty.
Demography
12, 9 Million (2001) people live in Ecuador. The birth rate is 2,6 percent. About 36 percent of the population is below 15 years of age. Life expectancy for men is 68,5 years and 74,2 years for women. Population growth is estimated at 2 percent.
