Esmeraldas Population 2026
Esmeraldas has a population of 218,727, making it the #13 biggest city in 🇪🇨 Ecuador, located in Esmeraldas. Roughly 1.2% of Ecuador's population lives here. It is about 13× smaller than Quito, the country's biggest city.
Population (city proper)
218,727
Rank in Ecuador
#13
Coordinates
0.96°N, 79.65°W
~18 m elevation · America/Guayaquil
Distance to capital (Quito)
182 km
113 miles, straight line
Other big cities in Esmeraldas
| City | Population | Rank in Ecuador |
|---|---|---|
| Rosa Zarate | 42,121 | #27 |
| San Lorenzo de Esmeraldas | 20,209 | #56 |
Cities near Esmeraldas
- Rosa Zarate42,121 people · ~73 km away
- San Lorenzo de Esmeraldas20,209 people · ~98 km away
- Santo Domingo de los Colorados458,580 people · ~145 km away
- Atuntaqui17,456 people · ~174 km away
- Otavalo32,330 people · ~174 km away
- Pomasqui28,724 people · ~175 km away
FAQ
What is the population of Esmeraldas?
Esmeraldas has a population of 218,727 (city proper, latest official figure via GeoNames), making it the #13 biggest city in Ecuador.
What region is Esmeraldas in?
Esmeraldas is located in Esmeraldas, Ecuador.
Is Esmeraldas the capital of Ecuador?
No, the capital of Ecuador is Quito, about 182 km away.
Sources & notes
Population refers to the city proper (municipal boundaries), not the metropolitan area. Source: GeoNames (CC BY 4.0), retrieved 2026-07-07. Country data: UN World Population Prospects 2024.
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