Which Indigenous languages are spoken in Ecuador?

In Ecuador, Spanish serves as the official language for business and government, but the country is home to more than 10 Indigenous languages that are spoken by various ethnic groups.1

Among these, Quichua—a dialect of Quechua—is the most widely spoken, with approximately one million speakers primarily concentrated in the Sierra and the Amazon lowlands. Both Quichua and Shuar are recognized as official intercultural languages.21

Other Indigenous languages spoken in Ecuador include:

• Amazonian groups: Achuar, Huaorani, Záparo, Cofán, and Siona-Secoya.2
• Coastal groups: Awa (Kwaiker), Chachi (Cayapa), and Tsáchila (Colorado).2

While many Indigenous men and an increasing number of women are bilingual in Spanish and their ancestral language, these languages remain vital mother tongues for many communities. Efforts are currently underway to adapt the national educational curriculum to reflect this cultural and linguistic diversity.13