Venezuela is a country in South America, known for its Caribbean coastline and Angel Falls. It has a population of 28.5 million, making it the 53rd largest country in the world. Its capital is Caracas. Venezuela has a oil-dependent economy.
* As of 6/9/2025
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Situated on the northern coast of South America, Venezuela – or to give it its official title, the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela – is one of the larger countries on the continent. The last official census took place in the country in 2011 when it was claimed that the population of Venezuela was 23,054,985. However, a CIA estimate of the same year puts the numbers at 27,150.095.
The ethnicity in Venezuela is split among Spanish, Italian, Portuguese, Arab, German, African, and indigenous people. The World Factbook has no available statistical percentages on this area of demographics for this country. However, the World Atlas has found some relevant material, giving estimates of 50% Mestizo, 42.5% European descent, 3.5% African descent, 2.5% indigenous, and 1.2% other groups.
Spanish is the official language. However, it is common to hear indigenous dialects in certain areas.
The overall life expectancy in the country was previously at 73.93 years which was divided between males at 70.84 years and females at 77.17. Just 5.1% of the population were aged over 65 in 2009.
In 2018, these numbers have been updated to a life expectancy of 76 years of age, divided between males and females at 73 and 79 years respectively. The median age is currently at 28.3 years for the entire population. The age structure has changed a little, with 7.9% of the population over the age of 65 in 2018.
Christianity is by far the dominant religion in Venezuela, with 88% of the population practicing (71% are Roman Catholic, 17% are Protestant). There are no other religions with a large hold in the country, and the majority of the remaining citizens are atheist or agnostic.
Oil was discovered in Venezuela during World War I, and shifted the country’s entire economy away from agriculture export.
Corruption seems rampant in modern Venezuela and has brought the country from a modern economy to one of near-feudalism. State-run programs and industries are profiting from public deficits- causing hyperinflation and shortages is even basic needs related goods.
Venezuela asserted its independence from Spain in 1811, which caused a series of wars and uprisings that totaled over 20 years of warfare and took over 800,000 lives.
Migration from both European and Latin American nations post-World War II significantly diversified the country to modern-day proportions.
The political process known as the Bolivian Revolution was led by president Hugo Chaves beginning in 1999. The policies in this movement are supposed to support democracy and economic independence.