Spatial Segregation and Sociodemographic Conditions of the Population of Quito, Ecuador

Abstract

Spatial segregation is a phenomenon closely linked to specific sociodemographic conditions of the population. Following this premise, the Global Spatial Segregation Index (GSSI) and the Areal Spatial Segregation Index (ASSI) were calculated for Quito. The latter was correlated with sociodemographic variables of employment, health, education, digital availability and ethnic self-identification. The results show that: i) there is a process of socioeconomic spatial segregation in Quito, where low strata are concentrated in the peripheral areas while high strata are concentrated in the center-north and urban-rural parishes of the city; ii) statistically, a strong positive association was found between ASSIs of high strata and variables of digital availability, private education, private health insurance and white ethnic self-identification. It is concluded that there is a process of socioeconomic spatial segregation related to certain socio-demographic profiles of the population of Quito considered as social advantages and disadvantages.