Spatial Segregation and Socioeconomic Inequality in Loja, Ecuador: A Comparative Analysis Between 2010 and 2022

Urban spatial segregation may be associated with sociodemographic conditions. Taking the city of Loja, Ecuador, as a case study, and using household heads’ educational attainment as a proxy variable, we calculated the Global Spatial Segregation Index (GSSI) and the Areal Spatial Segregation Index (ASSI) for the 2010 and 2022 national censuses. We evaluated correlations between the ASSI and sociodemographic variables related to social security coverage, privatization of education, employment type, technological availability, and ethnic self-identification. The findings show that: (i) socioeconomic spatial segregation in Loja persisted between 2010 and 2022 with moderate changes in intensity—it increased among low-education households (GSSI rising from 21.2 to 23.5), decreased among high-education households (from 19.9 to 17.7), and remained low among middle-education households (from 8.6 to 9.7); (ii) low-education strata remain over-represented in the historical parish of Sucre (now Sucre and Carigán), while high-education strata remain over-represented in Sagrario, in the historical parish of San Sebastián (now San Sebastián and Punzara), and in the north-eastern sector of El Valle; (iii) a strong positive correlation is evident between the ASSI of high-education strata and social security coverage, and home internet and computer availability. These results can support urban planning aimed at reducing spatial segregation in the city of Loja.