Despoblacion Escolar en Zonas Rurales del Ecuador: Analisis de la Disminucion de la Matricula Escolar en El Oro (2011-2023)

Abstract

Abstract: This research analyzes the phenomenon of school depopulation in rural areas of the province of El Oro, Ecuador, during the period 2011-2023. Through a multidimensional approach that integrates demographic, educational, and territorial perspectives, a sustained decrease in student enrollment in rural areas is identified, associated with factors such as internal migration, low birth rates, population aging, and limitations in the educational supply. The study employs multilevel statistical models to examine the variability of enrollment at the provincial, cantonal, and parish levels, revealing marked territorial inequalities and a clear trend toward the concentration of the student population in urban areas. The results highlight the need for differentiated educational policies that consider the particularities of each local context to mitigate the effects of school depopulation and guarantee the right to education in rural areas.