Venezuela Population 2023 (Live)

After experiencing five years of population decline, Venezuela’s 2020 population is about 28.44 million. Following this year, the population is expected to start growing again for the next few decades. It is estimated that Venezuela’s population will reach its peak of 35.57 million by 2063.

Venezuela’s current population growth rate is in negatives, mostly due to negative net migration. From 2019 to 2020, the population change was -0.28%. Negative net migration has caused the population to decrease despite the fertility rate being above the population replacement rate at 2.28 births per woman. Since 2014, about 7% of Venezuela’s population has left the country since 2014.

Venezuela Area and Population Density

Venezuela is the 33rd largest country in terms of sheer land mass with a total surface area of 916,445 square kilometers (353,481 square miles) It is relatively sparsely populated, however, and this is partly due to a mountainous landscape in some areas. Overall, there is an average of 33.8 people for every square kilometer of land here. This converts to 87.6 per square mile and makes this only the 174th most densely populated country on earth.

Largest Cities in Venezuela

The capital city of Caracas is by the largest city in Venezuela with a population of roughly 5,576,000 within 300 square miles. The city's official name of Santiago de Leon de Caracas roughly translates "Heaven's Branch on Earth," which hardly seems fitting because it is known as being the most murderous city in the world. There were roughly 4000 homicides just in 2015.

Maracaibo, Venezuela's second largest city with a population of 4,163,670, serves as a conduit between Venezuela and the rest of South America via the Gulf of Venezuela. Valencia, with a population of 2,585,202, is the country's hub for industrial and manufacturing companies. Well over 80% of Venezuelans live in urban areas and there are many more sizable cities. Notably, Barquisimeto, Maracay, and Ciudad Guayana all have populations above one million.

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.

Venezuela Demographics

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.

Venezuela Religion, Economy and Politics

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 Population History

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.