Evolución de la canasta básica en Ecuador, periodo 2015- 2025: un enfoque por regiones geográficas

Abstract

Abstract: The research focuses on analyzing how the basic food basket has changed in Ecuador between 2015 and 2025, taking into account differences between regions and how this affects the well-being of Ecuadorian families. Data from the National Institute of Statistics and Census (INEC) and a combination of methodologies were used to identify several economic, geographic, and structural factors that influence both the cost and access to basic food basket products. The findings show that cities such as Santo Domingo, Guayaquil, and Cuenca suffer from high inflation, which leads to a loss of household purchasing power, especially in contexts of informal employment and low incomes. The pandemic intensified these inequalities, causing a temporary drop in prices followed by an inflationary increase. Furthermore, significant differences were found between regions, such as the Amazon, which, despite having abundant resources, struggles with high levels of poverty and low wages. The research concludes with recommendations for potential public policies, such as investing in logistics infrastructure and adjusting the minimum wage by region, in order to reduce disparities and ensure fair access to the basic food basket.