Manta has historically welcomed migrants and refugees. The city is home to Colombians displaced by armed conflict, climate migrants affected by phenomena such as El Niño, and most recently, Venezuelan refugees. Over 80 percent of Manta’s population is originally from other provinces in the Manabí region.
As Ecuador faces nationwide economic stagnation and an energy crisis, migrants and refugees have the technical, cultural, and entrepreneurial skills needed to revitalize the local economy. However, newcomers often struggle to secure dignified and sustainable employment because of poor access to financing and markets and limited recognition of existing credentials. Many migrants and refugees are underemployed, work temporary and low-paid jobs in the informal sector, and lack worker protections.
