Loading…
Photo: Phelipemancheno · CC0 · via Wikimedia Commons, shown in greyscale
Topic 01 of 18 · Country Index 2026
Ecuador: Governance & Institutions
How well is the state actually run?
Ecuador is placed 103rd of 194 countries on governance & institutions in the Country Index 2026, from 4 of its 4 key statistics. Readings behind it: Government Effectiveness -0.031 (2025); Statistical Performance Indicators 79.86 (2024).
Governance & Institutions
103rd
of 194 countries placed
Placed from 4 of 4 key statistics
- -0.031Government Effectiveness, 2025Governance estimate (−2.5 weak to 2.5 strong)
- 79.86Statistical Performance Indicators, 2024SPI overall score (0–100)
- 33Corruption Perceptions Index, 2025CPI score (0–100, where 100 is very clean)
- 0.487Judicial Constraints on the Executive Index, 2025Judicial constraints on the executive index (0–1)
01The evidence
The 4 key statistics that decide it
Only these place Ecuador on governance & institutions — one vote each. Every value is the publisher’s own, read at the edition the Country Index 2026 used; the grey ticks are every other country it was compared with, lowest on the left.
Key 1 of 4
Government Effectiveness
World Bank Group
Why it is a key: The quality of public services and the civil service that delivers them, and the credibility of a government's commitment to its own policies. Where the Corruption Perceptions Index asks whether a state is honest, this asks whether it is competent.
2025 edition · data for 2025 · CC BY 4.0
-0.031
Governance estimate (−2.5 weak to 2.5 strong)
Higher is better
Ecuador: -0.031. Across the 209 countries in this edition, values run from -2.251 (South Sudan) to 2.092 (Singapore); the world median is 0.101.
- World median
- 0.101
- Best in South America
- 1.042 Chile
- Land neighbours
- Colombia -0.093 · Peru -0.144
Each grey tick is one of 209 countries in the 2025 edition.
Key 2 of 4
Statistical Performance Indicators
World Bank Group
Why it is a key: Whether a state can measure its own country. Nothing else here tests the capacity of the statistical system itself.
2024 edition · data for 2024 · CC BY 4.0
79.86
SPI overall score (0–100)
Higher is better
Ecuador: 79.86. Across the 188 countries in this edition, values run from 27.12 (South Sudan) to 94.14 (Norway); the world median is 69.3.
- World median
- 69.3
- Best in South America
- 89.38 Chile
- Land neighbours
- Colombia 83.44 · Peru 81.98
Each grey tick is one of 188 countries in the 2024 edition.
Key 3 of 4
Corruption Perceptions Index
Transparency International
Why it is a key: How much corruption the people who actually deal with a government perceive — an outcome, where the other keys measure the state’s capacity and the limits the law puts on it.
2025 edition · data for 2025 · CC BY 4.0 (the data), CC BY-ND 4.0 (the website and report)
33
CPI score (0–100, where 100 is very clean)
Higher is better
Ranked 116th of 181 by Transparency International
Ecuador: 33. Across the 182 countries in this edition, values run from 9 (Somalia) to 89 (Denmark); the world median is 39.
- World median
- 39
- Best in South America
- 73 Uruguay
- Land neighbours
- Colombia 37 · Peru 30
Each grey tick is one of 182 countries in the 2025 edition.
Key 4 of 4
Judicial Constraints on the Executive Index
V-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg
Why it is a key: Whether the executive respects the constitution and obeys the courts, and whether the courts can rule against it freely — the law binding those who write it.
2025 edition · data for 2025 · CC BY-SA 4.0
0.487
Judicial constraints on the executive index (0–1)
Higher is better
Ecuador: 0.487. Across the 176 countries in this edition, values run from 0.003 (Nicaragua) to 0.988 (Australia); the world median is 0.676.
- World median
- 0.676
- Best in South America
- 0.954 Brazil
- Land neighbours
- Colombia 0.846 · Peru 0.691
Each grey tick is one of 176 countries in the 2025 edition.
02Over time
Which way Ecuador is moving
Each key’s published value, edition by edition, beside the world median. The Country Index 2026 is the first edition of the standing, so the standing itself has no history to chart yet.
Government Effectiveness
Governance estimate (−2.5 weak to 2.5 strong) · higher is better
EcuadorWorld median
Ecuador rose from -1.127 in 2000 to -0.031 in 2025; the world median went from -0.397 to 0.101.
Every year’s figures
Year Ecuador World median 2025 -0.031 0.1006 2024 -0.148 0.0098 2023 -0.176 -0.0408 2022 0.017 -0.0305 2021 -0.091 -0.0158 2020 -0.289 -0.0171 2019 -0.095 0.0150 2018 -0.110 0.0159 2017 -0.077 0.0158 2016 -0.085 0.0225 2015 -0.131 0.0038 2014 -0.055 0.0194 2013 -0.127 -0.0758 2012 -0.216 -0.0839 2011 -0.225 -0.1221 2010 -0.389 -0.1145 2009 -0.400 -0.1609 2008 -0.594 -0.2134 2007 -0.886 -0.3260 2006 -0.942 -0.3310 2005 -0.960 -0.3706 2004 -0.949 -0.3140 2003 -1.075 -0.4369 2002 -1.111 -0.3366 2000 -1.127 -0.3969 Statistical Performance Indicators
SPI overall score (0–100) · higher is better
EcuadorWorld median
Ecuador rose from 70.37 in 2016 to 79.86 in 2024; the world median went from 56.25 to 69.3.
Every year’s figures
Year Ecuador World median 2024 79.86 69.30 2023 78.47 68.86 2022 78.58 67.99 2021 78.57 69.96 2020 74.20 62.91 2019 72.45 61.19 2018 72.91 61.17 2017 71.03 59.55 2016 70.37 56.25 Corruption Perceptions Index
CPI score (0–100, where 100 is very clean) · higher is better
EcuadorWorld median
Ecuador rose from 32 in 2012 to 33 in 2025; the world median went from 37 to 39.
Every year’s figures
Year Ecuador World median 2025 33 39.0 2024 32 40.0 2023 34 40.0 2022 36 39.5 2021 36 39.0 2020 39 40.0 2019 38 39.5 2018 34 38.0 2017 32 38.5 2016 31 38.0 2015 32 37.0 2014 33 38.0 2013 35 38.0 2012 32 37.0 Judicial Constraints on the Executive Index
Judicial constraints on the executive index (0–1) · higher is better
EcuadorWorld median
Ecuador rose from 0.355 in 2000 to 0.487 in 2025; the world median went from 0.647 to 0.676.
Every year’s figures
Year Ecuador World median 2025 0.487 0.6760 2024 0.485 0.6645 2023 0.522 0.6590 2022 0.579 0.6600 2021 0.544 0.6580 2020 0.592 0.6645 2019 0.523 0.6560 2018 0.528 0.6485 2017 0.275 0.6550 2016 0.177 0.6520 2015 0.177 0.6700 2014 0.177 0.6515 2013 0.200 0.6550 2012 0.220 0.6750 2011 0.220 0.6680 2010 0.220 0.6640 2009 0.238 0.6580 2008 0.241 0.6590 2007 0.357 0.6630 2006 0.391 0.6590 2005 0.362 0.6580 2004 0.354 0.6480 2003 0.357 0.6480 2002 0.355 0.6470 2001 0.355 0.6530 2000 0.355 0.6465
03In context
Ecuador beside its neighbours
A position reads best beside the countries around it. Every position below is a place among all 194 countries on governance & institutions, never a place within the region.
1st194thNot placed · 30 countries with too few key statisticsNo data
Ecuador and the countries it borders
The standing is each country’s place among all 194 placed on the topic; the other columns are the publishers’ own values, read at the edition the standing used.
| Country | Standing | Government EffectivenessGovernance estimate (−2.5 weak to 2.5 strong) | Statistical Performance IndicatorsSPI overall score (0–100) | Corruption Perceptions IndexCPI score (0–100, where 100 is very clean) | Judicial Constraints on the Executive IndexJudicial constraints on the executive index (0–1) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Colombia | 67th | -0.093 | 83.44 | 37 | 0.846 |
 Peru | =96th | -0.144 | 81.98 | 30 | 0.691 |
| Ecuador | 103rd | -0.031 | 79.86 | 33 | 0.487 |
“—” means the publisher gives no reading for that country in that edition. A country needs readings on enough keys to be placed.
Across South America
Every country in the sub-region, by its place among all 194.
Placed either side on governance & institutions
The countries immediately above and below Ecuador in the topic’s list.
04Context, no vote
Where Ecuador is ahead of the world, and behind
25 more statistics filed under governance & institutions, published in full and deliberately given no vote in the standing. Select a row for the publisher, the rank and the links.
Ahead of the world median7
Statistics on which Ecuador does better than the middle country measured.
Women, Business and the LawWorld Bank Group · 2024 · world median 81.2589.3881.25▼ Worsened since 2014
Ecuador: 89.38 · world median 81.25 · WBL Index (0–100, where 100 is full legal parity). World Bank Group, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 26.25 to 100; higher is better.
Position 50th of 190 — derived here by ordering the published values, 1st = best. The publisher ranks no country on this.
GovTech Maturity IndexWorld Bank Group · 2025 · world median 0.630.8220.63▼ Worsened since 2022
Ecuador: 0.822 · world median 0.63 · GTMI score (0–1). World Bank Group, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0.01 to 0.997; higher is better.
Position 55th of 196 — derived here by ordering the published values, 1st = best. The publisher ranks no country on this.
Government AI Readiness IndexOxford Insights · 2025 · world median 40.1953.0440.19▲ Improved since 2020
Ecuador: 53.04 · world median 40.19 · AI readiness score (0–100). Oxford Insights, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 12.12 to 88.36; higher is better.
Ranked 66th of 195 by Oxford Insights.
Open Data InventoryOpen Data Watch · 2024 · world median 596559▲ Improved since 2015
Ecuador: 65 · world median 59 · ODIN overall score (0–100). Open Data Watch, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 19 to 90; higher is better.
Ranked 57th of 168 by Open Data Watch.
V-Dem Electoral Democracy IndexV-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg · 2025 · world median 0.4970.6070.497▲ Improved since 2015
Ecuador: 0.607 · world median 0.497 · Electoral democracy index (0–1). V-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0.016 to 0.913; higher is better.
Position 70th of 176 — derived here by ordering the published values, 1st = best. The publisher ranks no country on this.
Liberal Democracy IndexV-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg · 2025 · world median 0.3530.3860.353▲ Improved since 2015
Ecuador: 0.386 · world median 0.353 · Liberal democracy index (0–1). V-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0.009 to 0.884; higher is better.
Position 79th of 176 — derived here by ordering the published values, 1st = best. The publisher ranks no country on this.
Government Spending on EducationUIS · 2023 · world median 3.7093.823.709▼ Worsened since 2013
Ecuador: 3.82 · world median 3.709 · Government expenditure on education (% of GDP). UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 16.39; higher is better.
Position 58th of 123 — derived here by ordering the published values, 1st = best. The publisher ranks no country on this.
Behind the world median14
Statistics on which Ecuador does worse than the middle country measured.
Voice and AccountabilityWorld Bank Group · 2025 · world median -0.022-0.08-0.022▲ Improved since 2015
Ecuador: -0.08 · world median -0.022 · Voice and Accountability estimate (−2.5 to 2.5). World Bank Group, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from -2.348 to 1.825; higher is better.
Position 106th of 206 — derived here by ordering the published values, 1st = best. The publisher ranks no country on this.
Civic Space RatingsCIVICUS · 2025 · world median 50.4646.7350.46No earlier reading
Ecuador: 46.73 · world median 50.46 · Civic space score (0–100). CIVICUS, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 2.17 to 100; higher is better.
Position 108th of 198 — derived here by ordering the published values, 1st = best. The publisher ranks no country on this.
Social Protection CoverageILO · 2025 · world median 52.146.852.1No earlier reading
Ecuador: 46.8 · world median 52.1 · Population covered by at least one social protection benefit (%). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 100; higher is better.
Political Corruption IndexV-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg · 2025 · world median 0.5180.6520.518No real change since 2015
Ecuador: 0.652 · world median 0.518 · Political corruption index (0–1; higher = more corrupt). V-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0.004 to 0.968; lower is better.
Position 64th of 176 — derived here by ordering the published values, 1st = worst. The publisher ranks no country on this.
External Debt Stocks (% of GNI)World Bank Group · 2024 · world median 43.9449.7543.94▼ Worsened since 2014
Ecuador: 49.75 · world median 43.94 · External debt stocks (% of GNI). World Bank Group, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 2.213 to 350.57; lower is better.
Position 40th of 110 — derived here by ordering the published values, 1st = worst. The publisher ranks no country on this.
Climate Readiness (ND-GAIN)Notre Dame Global Adaptation Initiative (ND-GAIN), University of Notre Dame · 2024 · world median 0.3870.3480.387▲ Improved since 2014
Ecuador: 0.348 · world median 0.387 · ND-GAIN Readiness (0–1, where 1 is the most ready). Notre Dame Global Adaptation Initiative (ND-GAIN), University of Notre Dame, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0.137 to 0.749; higher is better.
Ranked 124th of 192 by Notre Dame Global Adaptation Initiative (ND-GAIN), University of Notre Dame.
State Authority over TerritoryV-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg · 2025 · world median 95.39095.3▼ Worsened since 2015
Ecuador: 90 · world median 95.3 · Territory under effective state control (% of official territory). V-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 47.56 to 100; higher is better.
Completeness of Birth RegistrationUNICEF · 2025 · world median 98.488.298.4No earlier reading
Ecuador: 88.2 · world median 98.4 · Children under 5 whose birth is registered (%). UNICEF, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 2.7 to 100; higher is better.
Control of CorruptionWorld Bank Group · 2025 · world median -0.197-0.736-0.197No real change since 2015
Ecuador: -0.736 · world median -0.197 · Control of Corruption (−2.5 to 2.5). World Bank Group, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from -2.096 to 2.259; higher is better.
Position 154th of 211 — derived here by ordering the published values, 1st = best. The publisher ranks no country on this.
Debt Service on External DebtWorld Bank Group · 2024 · world median 12.9321.8612.93▼ Worsened since 2014
Ecuador: 21.86 · world median 12.93 · Total debt service (% of exports of goods, services and primary income). World Bank Group, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0.285 to 96.2; lower is better.
Position 30th of 109 — derived here by ordering the published values, 1st = worst. The publisher ranks no country on this.
Regulatory QualityWorld Bank Group · 2025 · world median -0.093-0.714-0.093▲ Improved since 2015
Ecuador: -0.714 · world median -0.093 · Regulatory Quality (−2.5 to 2.5). World Bank Group, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from -2.106 to 2.113; higher is better.
Position 156th of 209 — derived here by ordering the published values, 1st = best. The publisher ranks no country on this.
Rule of LawWorld Bank Group · 2025 · world median -0.102-1.034-0.102▲ Improved since 2015
Ecuador: -1.034 · world median -0.102 · Rule of Law estimate (−2.5 to 2.5). World Bank Group, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from -2.199 to 2.012; higher is better.
Position 171st of 211 — derived here by ordering the published values, 1st = best. The publisher ranks no country on this.
Government Funding per Primary StudentUIS · 2022 · world median 17.819.92717.81▼ Worsened since 2012
Ecuador: 9.927 · world median 17.81 · Government funding per primary student (% of GDP per capita). UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS), 2022 edition, data for 2022.
Published values in that edition run from 3.771 to 34.57; higher is better.
Position 59th of 68 — derived here by ordering the published values, 1st = best. The publisher ranks no country on this.
Agriculture Orientation IndexFAO · 2024 · world median 0.3050.060.305▼ Worsened since 2014
Ecuador: 0.06 · world median 0.305 · Agriculture orientation index (1.0 = spending matches sector size). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0.03 to 5.38; higher is better.
Position 125th of 132 — derived here by ordering the published values, 1st = best. The publisher ranks no country on this.
No better end4
These describe the shape of a country — more is not better or worse, only different — so they are never ahead or behind.
Public Sector Wage BillWorld Bank Group · 2022 · world median 7.9759.6427.975No real change since 2012
Ecuador: 9.642 · world median 7.975 · Public sector wage bill (% of GDP). World Bank Group, 2022 edition, data for 2022.
Published values in that edition run from 0.977 to 42.65.
Position 61st of 168 — derived here by ordering the published values, counted from the highest value. The publisher ranks no country on this.
General Government ConsumptionWorld Bank Group · 2025 · world median 16.2112.8216.21Moved since 2015
Ecuador: 12.82 · world median 16.21 · General government final consumption expenditure (% of GDP). World Bank Group, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 5.445 to 38.94.
Position 92nd of 132 — derived here by ordering the published values, counted from the highest value. The publisher ranks no country on this.
Public Sector EmploymentWorld Bank Group · 2022 · world median 15.017.05615.01No earlier reading
Ecuador: 7.056 · world median 15.01 · Public sector employment (% of total employment). World Bank Group, 2022 edition, data for 2022.
Published values in that edition run from 1.672 to 47.1.
Position 103rd of 135 — derived here by ordering the published values, counted from the highest value. The publisher ranks no country on this.
Central Bank Independence IndexAna Carolina Garriga, University of Essex · 2023 · world median 0.6080.2130.608No real change since 2013
Ecuador: 0.213 · world median 0.608 · CBI index (0–1, where 1 is the most statutory independence). Ana Carolina Garriga, University of Essex, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0.006 to 0.974.
No current reading for Ecuador
Business Ready: Operational Efficiency, Business Ready: Public Services, Business Ready: Regulatory Framework, Country Policy and Institutional Assessment and Trade Union Density. Listed rather than hidden, so the page can be checked against it.
05Country Index 2026
Governance & Institutions among Ecuador’s 16 topics
Governance & Institutions is Ecuador’s 10th best-placed topic of 16. Strongest first; each marker sits at the position divided by that topic’s field, so fields of different sizes compare fairly.
- Energyjoint 41st of 1933/3 keys
- Environment & Sustainabilityjoint 41st of 1812/3 keys
- Work & Labour46th of 1824/4 keys
- Gender & Equality58th of 1834/4 keys
- Education & Knowledge64th of 1713/4 keys
- Digital & Technology86th of 1983/3 keys
- Economy & Innovation90th of 1764/4 keys
- Health & Wellbeing104th of 2004/4 keys
- Development & Human Capital102nd of 1963/3 keys
- Governance & Institutions103rd of 1944/4 keys
- Democracy & Civil Liberties115th of 1983/3 keys
- Food & Agriculture103rd of 1754/4 keys
- Mobility & Trade97th of 1472/3 keys
- Peace & Security134th of 1774/4 keys
- Poverty & Inequality129th of 1592/2 keys
- Risk & Resilience172nd of 1923/3 keys
06The top of the list
Who leads on governance & institutions
The three countries placed highest of 194, and the leaders Ecuador can most readily be measured against.
1
DenmarkNorthern Europe
1st of 194 · 4 of 4 keys
Photo: User:Aconcagua · CC BY-SA 3.0, greyscale
2
New ZealandAustralia and New Zealand
2nd of 194 · 4 of 4 keys
Photo: Karora derivative work: Inkey · Public domain, greyscale
3
SwedenNorthern Europe
3rd of 194 · 4 of 4 keys
Photo: User:Pieter Kuiper · Public domain, greyscale
Placed highest nearby
Highest in Americas
Canada8th4/4 keysHighest in South America
Chile=23rd4/4 keysThis page
Ecuador103rd4/4 keys
Positions out of 194 placed on the topic. A country needs readings on enough keys to be placed, and the top of the list is often held on fewer of them.
07Analysis
Charts and analysis about Ecuador and governance & institutions
08Questions
Ecuador on governance & institutions: questions answered
Every answer is built from the numbers on this page, so none can say something the page does not.
How does Ecuador rank on governance & institutions?
Ecuador is placed 103rd of 194 countries on Governance & Institutions in the Country Index 2026, from 4 of its 4 key statistics (Government Effectiveness, Statistical Performance Indicators, Corruption Perceptions Index and Judicial Constraints on the Executive Index). The position is this site’s ordering of published statistics, not a rank any publisher printed.
What is the latest Government Effectiveness figure for Ecuador?
-0.031 in 2025 (governance estimate (−2.5 weak to 2.5 strong)), according to World Bank Group. The world median in the same edition was 0.101.
What is the latest Statistical Performance Indicators figure for Ecuador?
79.86 in 2024 (sPI overall score (0–100)), according to World Bank Group. The world median in the same edition was 69.3.
How does Ecuador compare with Colombia on governance & institutions?
Colombia is placed 67th of 194, and Ecuador 103rd. Government Effectiveness: Colombia -0.093, Ecuador -0.031; Statistical Performance Indicators: Colombia 83.44, Ecuador 79.86; Corruption Perceptions Index: Colombia 37, Ecuador 33; Judicial Constraints on the Executive Index: Colombia 0.846, Ecuador 0.487.
How have Ecuador’s governance & institutions figures changed?
Government Effectiveness rose from -1.127 in 2000 to -0.031 in 2025; Statistical Performance Indicators rose from 70.37 in 2016 to 79.86 in 2024; Corruption Perceptions Index rose from 32 in 2012 to 33 in 2025; Judicial Constraints on the Executive Index rose from 0.355 in 2000 to 0.487 in 2025.
Which governance & institutions statistics are missing for Ecuador?
No current reading is published for Ecuador on Business Ready: Operational Efficiency, Business Ready: Public Services, Business Ready: Regulatory Framework, Country Policy and Institutional Assessment and Trade Union Density. They are listed rather than hidden, so the evidence on the page can be checked against it.
09Keep reading
Explore further
Ecuador, topic by topic
- Economy & Innovation90th of 176
- Work & Labour46th of 182
- Education & Knowledge64th of 171
- Health & Wellbeing104th of 200
- Development & Human Capital102nd of 196
- Environment & Sustainability=41st of 181
- Gender & Equality58th of 183
- Democracy & Civil Liberties115th of 198
- Peace & Security134th of 177
- Risk & Resilience172nd of 192
- Mobility & Trade97th of 147
- Food & Agriculture103rd of 175
- Poverty & Inequality129th of 159
- Energy=41st of 193
- Digital & Technology86th of 198
- The full Ecuador profile
Nearby, on governance & institutions
The key statistics, for every country
10Method
Method, sources and how to cite
What this topic does not measure
Governance is not democracy. Free elections, civil liberties and press freedom belong to the Democracy & Civil Liberties topic, and a country can place well on one and poorly on the other. How openly official data is published sits here as context, beside the statistical capacity that is a key. Nor does this topic measure the size of government or how much it spends — the share of the economy run by the state is published on this page as context, with no better end.
How the Governance & Institutions standing is decided, step by step
A standing is a place in a list, not a mark out of anything. This one is part of the Country Index 2026, and it is worked out like this.
- A few key indicators decide it; the rest are context. 4 indicators on this topic are keys and 30 are charted alongside them without a vote. That split is the point: if every statistic voted, importing five more of one kind would quietly change what the topic is about.
- Each key is read at one edition. ⚠ The keys behind this standing do not all describe the same year — they run from 2024 to 2025, because publishers release on their own schedules. Read the standing as “how this country places now”, not as a snapshot of one year.
- Every country’s published value is turned into a place within that one key’s own field, and then expressed as a share of that field — how far down this key’s list the country sits, rather than how many countries are above it. Keys where a higher published number is worse (terrorism, hunger, disaster risk) are turned round first, so the good end is always the same end.
- Dividing by the field first is the whole reason this works. A place carries the size of its list inside it: 22nd of 44 and 108th of 215 are the same showing, and averaging the numbers 22 and 108 says loudly that they are not. Fields on this site run from about 44 countries to about 215, so averaging raw places would reward a country for happening to be measured in small ones. Dividing each place by its own field removes the size and leaves only the showing.
- The shares are averaged, plainly. One key, one vote — no key is weighted above another, because any weighting would be this site’s opinion presented as a measurement. Countries are then put in order by that average, and the average itself is never published. It is our arithmetic with nothing anchoring it, so printing it would invite it to be read as a measurement somebody made. The position it produces, the band, and the keys it was built from are all published instead — every one of them checkable against the tables on this page.
- A country needs 2 of this topic’s 4 keys — half, rounded up, and never fewer than 2. A standing built from one reading, printed beside one built from four, is two different things sharing a column heading. 194 countries clear the bar here.
- A key has to earn its vote every edition. It must measure at least 120 countries (below that it starts measuring who was surveyed rather than the world), it must not have more than 10% of its field tied at either end, and it must not repeat another key in the same topic — Spearman correlation above 0.92 counts as repeating. A topic needs at least 2 surviving keys to place anyone at all; this one has 4.
- A standing is relative, and the grouping is ours. It says where a country places against the others measured alongside it, so it moves when they move. The publishers listed on this page did not agree to be read together, and each measures its subject its own way: the underlying numbers are theirs, the ordering on top is this site’s — the same method as the rest of the Country Index, applied to one subject instead of all of them.
The key statistics and their licences
- Government Effectiveness — World Bank Group, CC BY 4.0
- Statistical Performance Indicators — World Bank Group, CC BY 4.0
- Corruption Perceptions Index — Transparency International, CC BY 4.0 (the data), CC BY-ND 4.0 (the website and report)
- Judicial Constraints on the Executive Index — V-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg, CC BY-SA 4.0
The other 25 statistics on this page come from 11 publishers, each named beside its numbers, with every edition and licence on the datasets pages.
The standing itself is part of the Country Index 2026, published under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Photographs
Ecuador’s banner and the countries placed highest, from their profiles: Wikimedia Commons, shown in greyscale, each used under the licence named.
- Ecuador (banner) — Phelipemancheno, CC0
- Denmark — User:Aconcagua, CC BY-SA 3.0
- New Zealand — Karora derivative work: Inkey, Public domain
- Sweden — User:Pieter Kuiper, Public domain
Cite this page
Nations Inquiry (2026). Ecuador: Governance & Institutions — standing and statistics, Country Index 2026. https://nationsinquiry.com/countries/ecuador/governance