Public Policies Implemented in Ecuador for the Fulfillment of SDG 8 (2017–2024)

Abstract

The promotion of decent work and sustained economic growth constitutes one of the main challenges for developing countries within the framework of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). In Ecuador, SDG 8 has been progressively incorporated into various public policies between 2017 and 2024, although significant gaps persist in the labor market. This study aims to describe and analyze the behavior of key indicators associated with decent employment and economic growth in relation to the policies implemented during the governments of Lenín Moreno, Guillermo Lasso, and Daniel Noboa. The research adopts a descriptive and comparative quantitative approach, using descriptive statistics on secondary data obtained from the National Institute of Statistics and Census (INEC) and the Central Bank of Ecuador. Strategic plans such as "Toda una Vida" (A Whole Life), the Post-COVID Economic Recovery Policy, the "Plan for the Creation of Opportunities," and the "Development Plan for the New Ecuador" are analyzed, with an emphasis on sectors such as agriculture, tourism, and technology. Among the main findings are improvements in adequate employment, a decrease in underemployment, and progress in job training programs. However, structural gender and territorial gaps persist, as well as limitations in the coverage and fiscal sustainability of programs. The conclusion is that achieving SDG 8 in Ecuador requires more efficient coordination between public and private actors, an inclusive territorial approach, and greater investment in innovation and social protection.