Machala Population 2026
Machala has a population of 289,141, making it the #8 biggest city in 🇪🇨 Ecuador, located in El Oro. Roughly 1.6% of Ecuador's population lives here. It is about 9.6× smaller than Quito, the country's biggest city.
Population (city proper)
289,141
Rank in Ecuador
#8
Coordinates
3.26°S, 79.96°W
~16 m elevation · America/Guayaquil
Distance to capital (Quito)
373 km
232 miles, straight line
Other big cities in El Oro
| City | Population | Rank in Ecuador |
|---|---|---|
| Pasaje | 44,860 | #23 |
| Santa Rosa | 41,816 | #28 |
| Huaquillas | 39,757 | #30 |
| Guabo | 26,635 | #45 |
| Arenillas | 26,000 | #47 |
| Piñas | 16,981 | #64 |
Cities near Machala
- Guabo26,635 people · ~15 km away
- Pasaje44,860 people · ~18 km away
- Santa Rosa41,816 people · ~22 km away
- Arenillas26,000 people · ~35 km away
- Huaquillas39,757 people · ~39 km away
- Piñas16,981 people · ~56 km away
FAQ
What is the population of Machala?
Machala has a population of 289,141 (city proper, latest official figure via GeoNames), making it the #8 biggest city in Ecuador.
What region is Machala in?
Machala is located in El Oro, Ecuador.
Is Machala the capital of Ecuador?
No, the capital of Ecuador is Quito, about 373 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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