El Desarrollo Sostenible como Factor Estratégico en el Crecimiento Económico del Ecuador: Un Análisis Socioeconómico y Ambiental

Abstract

This study analyses sustainable development as a strategic factor for interpreting Ecuador's economic growth during the 2015–2024 period. The research was conducted using a quantitative approach and a non-experimental, longitudinal design, utilizing secondary data from official national and international sources. Through a literature review and descriptive analysis, key economic, social, and environmental indicators were evaluated, including Gross Domestic Product (GDP), poverty rate, Gini coefficient, Human Development Index (HDI), and carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions. The results reveal that although the Ecuadorian economy experienced phases of recovery and expansion—particularly following the COVID-19 crisis—these improvements did not translate into sustained progress in the social and environmental dimensions. The persistence of poverty, inequality, and polluting emissions reflects structural vulnerabilities linked to a reliance on extractive sectors, limited production diversification, and susceptibility to external shocks. The study concludes that sustainable development serves as an indispensable analytical framework for assessing the quality of growth by integrating variables that extend beyond GDP. Finally, the paper underlines the urgency of strengthening policies for energy transition, production matrix diversification, and social investment to steer the country towards a more balanced and inclusive economic model.