The National Secretary of Planning, Sariha Moya, and the Representative of the United Nations Population Fund in Ecuador (UNFPA), Markus Behrend, signed an Annual Work Plan until June 2025 that will enable the generation of the first Population Situation Analysis for Ecuador and the Prioritization of Information for the Strengthening of Administrative Records for Planning. These products constitute relevant inputs for national and territorial planning. Likewise, it will serve to strengthen the National Information System.

In 2011, the world reached a population of 7 billion. This year, the number will hit 8 billion, prompting the attendant responses. Some will marvel at the advancements in health that have extended lifespans, reduced maternal mortality and child mortality and given rise to vaccine development in record time. Others will tout technological innovations that have eased our lives and connected us more than ever. Still others will herald gains in gender equality. 

For World Population Day, the National Institute of Statistics and Census (INEC) and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) developed the Virtual Seminar "The importance of the Census of Population, Housing and Communities to guarantee the rights and options of all people".

This seminar generated a space for reflection and analysis on the importance of the Census to obtain updated socio-demographic information for Ecuador, which allow us to know the population, their needs and the underlying factors that lead to structural discrimination and intersectional inequalities.

By: Markus Behrend, UNFPA Representative in Ecuador

This year the world's population will reach 8 billion people. Poverty has been reduced and important advances have been made in health care and in reducing mortality. People are living longer and healthier lives.