Growth and Mortality: Ecuador in the 20th century

Abstract

The article carries out an analytical-historical review of economic growth and its relationship with deaths and infant mortality. To do this, it has been divided into two sections: the first examines the correlation between the variables. In the second, the development of the indices is contextualized amid the most important economic and health policies of the century. Four conclusions have been reached. First, there is a high relationship between GDP growth and the decrease in deaths and infant mortality. Second, the only period that presents a dissociation between variables is 1945-1949 due to a significant resurgence of the bubonic plague. Third, the period of greatest progress in reducing deaths is 1940-1944 due to the creation of private hospitals, hygiene departments and pharmaceutical industries. Finally, data for the entire century show that Ecuador grew at an annual average of 4.2%, only below Venezuela (5%), Brazil (4.7%) and Colombia (4.4%).