Ecuador retirement cost is 10% of that in the U.S.; Ecuadorian deportations from the U.S. drop; Workers protest ‘precarious situation’ at public hospitals

The cost of retirement in Ecuador is a fraction of that in the United States, an international banking website survey shows. Despite the lower costs, however, Ecuadorians are saving much less for retirement than U.S. citizens.

According to gobankingrates.com, a “comfortable, 20-year retirement” will cost as much as $3.7 million in the U.S. while the figure is $320,000 in Ecuador. The survey says that costs vary widely in the U.S., with seniors living in Hawaii paying more than double what those living in West Virginia will pay. In Ecuador, the range is smaller, with the cost-of-living difference between Quito, Guayaquil and Cuenca less than 15% based on current calculations.

Scene from a March flight of Colombian and Ecuadorian deportees on a U.S. Air Force transport flight.

The survey reported that average Social Security pensions in both Ecuador and the U.S. will cover little more than half the cost of retirement for a typical couple and said savings and other retirement income sources are required for a good quality of life.

The survey found that less than 50% of Americans are saving enough for retirement while only 11% of Ecuadorans are. Even more troubling, the survey noted that Ecuador’s large informal economy means that a majority of the population is not enrolled in the national Social Security program.

“In the U.S., many people know they have to save for retirement, and they try, but not everyone succeeds. In Ecuador, on the other hand, most can’t even try due to economic conditions. Reaching the age of 65 without social security or a private fund is the most likely scenario for millions,” said Carla Robles, a personal finance consultant who participated in the survey.

Ecuadorian deportations from the U.S. drop
The Foreign Ministry reports 3,977 Ecuadorians have been deported from the United States in the first six months of 2025, a 25% drop from the same period in 2024.

The six-month total included 38 unregistered migrants who arrived Tuesday morning in Guayaquil on a U.S. Air Force transport plane.

“The decrease in deportations reflects the reality that Ecuadorian migrants in the U.S. are not a target population,” the ministry said. “We remain in contact with the U.S. Department of State so we can coordinate assistance for all Ecuadorians who are returned.”

The ministry reported that 13,587 Ecuadorians were deported by the U.S. government in 2024.

Workers protest ‘precarious situations’ at public hospital
Health care workers from the Vicente Corral Moscoso Hospital gathered in Parque Calderón Monday to protest new labor rules and the “precarious” condition of hospital facilities and equipment. The protest was joined by dozens of employees from the Jose Carrasco Artega Social Security hospital.

Worker representative Edison Déleg claims that the recently approved Public Integrity Law “diminishes protections” for all health care workers. “We have taken complaints about the changes in the labor law to the Ministry of Public Health, but they refused to listen to us,” he said. “We also voiced our concerns about the poor physical conditions at Vicente Corral, since this is a situation that affects all citizens.”

Déleg said he has contacted employees of other public hospitals in the country and hopes to mount a nationwide protest. “Our goal is to join together with all 17,000 health workers at the health ministry.”

An employee from Jose Carrasco Artega Hospital, Juan Vicente, said the concerns of public hospital employees is shared by those at Social Security hospitals and clinics. “Our rights as workers have been reduced by the new law,” he said, adding that working conditions are also affected by the poor conditions of facilities.