Venezuela
Venezuela is a federal presidential republic located in northern South America, featuring a diverse landscape with a coastline of 2800 km (1740 mi). Recent projections indicate a population of approximately 28.6 million people, with current estimates placing the GDP per capita at 4677 USD.
Where is Venezuela?
Venezuela
- Continent
- Americas
- Country
- Venezuela
- Coordinates
- 8.00°, -66.00°
Population Details
- Population
- 29M
- Area
- 916,445 km²
- Density per km²
- 31 / km²
- Growth rate
- +0.37%
- Annual growth
- +105.7K people
- Daily growth
- +289.47 people
- World population share
- 0.35%
Population & Social Snapshot
Age structure, urbanization, and benchmark indicators for Venezuela
Age Distribution
Urbanization
Health & Education Benchmarks
Quick Facts
- Capital
- Caracas
- Region
- Americas
- Area
- 916,445 km²
- Languages
- Spanish
- Currency
- Venezuelan bolívar soberano (Bs.S.)
- Timezones
- UTC-04:00
- UN Member
- Yes
Economy
The economy is heavily influenced by its vast natural resources, particularly petroleum, natural gas, and gold, which contribute to a total GDP of approximately 119.8 billion USD. Current data shows an annual GDP growth rate of 5.3% and an unemployment rate of 5.307%. In terms of global standings, the nation's GDP rank is global 66 of 212, while its GDP per capita rank is global 142 of 212 and subregional 12 of 12 in South America.
Society
Social metrics indicate an adult literacy rate of 97.18%, which places the country at a literacy rate rank of global 57 of 170. Life expectancy at birth is currently 72.67 years, resulting in a life expectancy rank of global 127 of 215. Digital infrastructure supports an internet user base comprising 76.68% of the population, ranking global 118 of 212, while approximately 89.29% of people reside in urban areas.
Climate & Environment
The nation experiences a tropical climate, with average temperatures in the lowlands remaining around 27 °C (81 °F). Weather patterns vary significantly by elevation, from the humid coastal regions to the alpine conditions found at Pico Bolivar, which reaches 4978 m (16332 ft).
Government & Politics
- Government Type
- federal presidential republic
- Independence
- 1811-07-05 (Spain)
Venezuela is a federal presidential republic where the president serves as both the head of state and the head of government. The political system is organized under the 1999 Constitution, which established a unicameral legislature known as the National Assembly. Administratively, the country is divided into 23 states, a capital district, and various federal dependencies. The government structure is unique for its five branches of power: the executive, legislative, judicial, citizen, and electoral branches. While the federal model nominally grants autonomy to states, the central government in Caracas maintains significant control over national policy and the distribution of oil revenues. Political life has been shaped by the Bolivarian Revolution, which emphasizes state-led social programs and nationalized control of strategic industries. The nation is a member of the United Nations and maintains a complex presence in regional South American geopolitics.
History
Long before Spanish arrival, the region was home to diverse indigenous populations including the Carib and Arawak people. Christopher Columbus reached the Venezuelan coast in 1498, leading to centuries of Spanish colonial rule. Venezuela became a pioneer in the Latin American independence movement, officially declaring its separation from Spain on 5 July 1811. The subsequent struggle was led by the revolutionary figure Simón Bolívar, who envisioned a united South America. After a period as part of Gran Colombia, Venezuela emerged as a fully independent sovereign nation in 1830. The early 20th century transformed the national landscape following the discovery of massive oil deposits in Lake Maracaibo, which shifted the economy from agriculture to petroleum. Following decades of military rule, the country established a stable democratic system in 1958 that lasted for 40 years. The election of Hugo Chávez in the late 1990s initiated the Bolivarian Revolution, bringing radical changes to the social and political fabric. In recent decades, the country has navigated intense internal political competition and economic challenges that have resulted in significant demographic shifts and international focus on its development path.
Notable Facts
- Venezuela is home to Angel Falls, the highest uninterrupted waterfall in the world, which drops from a height of 979 m (3,212 ft).
- The country experiences the Catatumbo lightning phenomenon at Lake Maracaibo, where atmospheric conditions produce nearly continuous lightning for up to 300 nights per year.
- The highest point in the nation is Pico Bolivar, reaching an elevation of 4,978 m (16,332 ft) in the Sierra Nevada de Mérida.
- With a coastline stretching 2,800 km (1,740 mi), Venezuela possesses some of the most extensive and diverse maritime territory in the Caribbean and Atlantic regions.
- The nation is categorized as megadiverse, containing ecosystems that range from the peaks of the Andes Mountains to the Amazonian rainforest and the Great Plains or Llanos.
Geography
- Highest Point
- Pico Bolivar (4,978 m)
- Lowest Point
- Atlantic Ocean (0 m)
- Coastline
- 2,800 km
Major Cities
Largest Cities in VenezuelaExplore weather and climate data for cities in Venezuela
Climate & Weather
View full climate guideMonthly averages for Caracas
| Month | Temp | Feels Like | Rain | Sun | Humidity | Status | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January best | 26°C / 18°C | 28°C / 19°C | 17days (59 mm) Wet | 10.9h Excellent | 82% Humid | Excellent | View Details |
| February best | 26°C / 18°C | 28°C / 19°C | 14days (48 mm) Wet | 11h Excellent | 79% Humid | Excellent | View Details |
| March best | 27°C / 18°C | 29°C / 20°C | 13days (47 mm) Wet | 11.2h Excellent | 77% Humid | Excellent | View Details |
| April best | 28°C / 19°C | 31°C / 21°C | 14days (107 mm) Wet | 10.6h Excellent | 79% Humid | Excellent | View Details |
| May | 28°C / 20°C | 31°C / 23°C | 17days (92 mm) Wet | 11.1h Excellent | 79% Humid | Good | View Details |
| June | 27°C / 20°C | 31°C / 22°C | 22days (143 mm) Wet | 11h Excellent | 82% Humid | Wet | View Details |
| July | 28°C / 20°C | 31°C / 22°C | 22days (127 mm) Wet | 11.5h Excellent | 82% Humid | Wet | View Details |
| August | 28°C / 20°C | 32°C / 22°C | 25days (163 mm) Wet | 11.1h Excellent | 82% Humid | Wet | View Details |
| September | 28°C / 20°C | 33°C / 23°C | 26days (176 mm) Wet | 11h Excellent | 82% Humid | Wet | View Details |
| October | 28°C / 20°C | 32°C / 23°C | 25days (195 mm) Wet | 10.6h Excellent | 84% Humid | Wet | View Details |
| November | 27°C / 19°C | 31°C / 22°C | 24days (189 mm) Wet | 10.4h Excellent | 85% Humid | Wet | View Details |
| December | 26°C / 18°C | 29°C / 20°C | 20days (79 mm) Wet | 10.9h Excellent | 83% Humid | Good | View Details |
Temperature
Line chart showing monthly temperatures. Jan: 26°C / 18°C . Feb: 26°C / 18°C . Mar: 27°C / 18°C . Apr: 28°C / 19°C . May: 28°C / 20°C . Jun: 27°C / 20°C . Jul: 28°C / 20°C . Aug: 28°C / 20°C . Sep: 28°C / 20°C . Oct: 28°C / 20°C . Nov: 27°C / 19°C . Dec: 26°C / 18°C .
Rainfall
Bar chart showing monthly rainfall. Jan: 59 mm. Feb: 48 mm. Mar: 47 mm. Apr: 107 mm. May: 92 mm. Jun: 143 mm. Jul: 127 mm. Aug: 163 mm. Sep: 176 mm. Oct: 195 mm. Nov: 189 mm. Dec: 79 mm.
Frequently Asked Questions
The population of Venezuela is approximately 29M (2024).
The capital of Venezuela is Caracas.
Venezuela's GDP per capita is $4.7K (2024).
Life expectancy in Venezuela is 72.67 years (2024).
Venezuela covers 916,445 km² (353,841 sq mi).
Venezuela is sparsely populated, averaging 31 people per km², below the global average of 60.
Venezuela's population is growing slowly at 0.4% per year, below the global average.
Based on GDP per capita, Venezuela falls in the upper-middle GDP-per-person tier at $4.7K. Official World Bank income groups use Atlas-method GNI per capita, so this is a GDP-based comparison rather than an official income-group label.
Venezuela's intentional homicide rate is 12.6 per 100,000 people, above the global average.
The official language of Venezuela is Spanish.
Venezuela uses the Venezuelan bolívar soberano (Bs.S.) as its sole official currency.
The best months to visit Venezuela are January, February, March, April, based on climate data for the capital.
According to the latest estimates, the population of Venezuela is approximately 28.6 million people. This figure reflects a population rank of global 53 of 215 and regional 8 of 46 in the Americas. The vast majority of citizens live in urban centers, which account for 89.29% of the total population.
Venezuela's total GDP is approximately 119.8 billion USD, giving it a GDP rank of global 66 of 212. However, its GDP per capita of 4218 USD ranks global 142 of 212 and regional 42 of 45 in the Americas. Recent data indicates the economy has achieved an annual growth rate of 5.3%.
Venezuela maintains a high adult literacy rate of 97.18%, which results in a literacy rate rank of global 57 of 170. This high rate is supported by a federal education system in a country where Spanish is the primary language. Educational attainment remains a significant component of the national social profile.
Recent data indicates that 76.68% of the population are internet users, placing the nation at an internet users rank of global 118 of 212. Despite economic fluctuations, digital connectivity remains relatively high compared to some global peers. This connectivity is most concentrated in urban areas like the capital, Caracas.
The latest available data shows an unemployment rate of 5.307% in Venezuela. This performance gives the country an unemployment rank of global 90 of 186 when ordered from lowest to highest. The labor market is largely supported by key sectors including petroleum extraction and various mineral mining operations.
The estimated 2026 population of Venezuela is 28,615,695 people. This figure is projected from the latest official 2024 population of 28,405,543. While the country faced significant demographic shifts due to recent migration, current data indicates a stabilized but slow growth trend.
Venezuela is currently ranked 53rd in the world out of 215 countries and territories. Regionally, it holds the 8th position in the Americas and is the 5th most populous country in South America, making it a significant demographic presence in the Southern Hemisphere.
The estimated 2026 population density is 32.4 people per km² (83.9 sq mi). This places Venezuela 167th globally for density. The population is not evenly distributed, with most people living in the northern urban corridor, while the southern Orinoco region remains very sparsely populated.
Recent data shows that Venezuela's population is growing at an annual rate of 0.37%. This represents a slow growth phase compared to historical averages. While emigration previously caused population fluctuations, current estimates show a net daily increase of approximately 287 people.
The current fertility rate in Venezuela is 2.08 births per woman. This is a decline from historical levels and sits just below the replacement level of 2.1. Recent data indicates approximately 1,185 births occur across the country every day.
Recent estimates show that 89.3% of the population in Venezuela lives in urban areas. This high urbanization rate ranks the country 33rd in the world. The majority of the urban population is concentrated in Caracas and other major cities along the Caribbean coast.
All Indicators
Explore Venezuela's data across 50+ indicators
Demographics
Economy
Health
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Environment
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Geography
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