Country Profile: Venezuela

Venezuela, located in northern South America, has a diverse geography that includes the Andes Mountains, tropical climates, and a significant coastline along the Caribbean Sea. The nation boasts a population of approximately 31.8 million people, with urban areas like Caracas and Maracaibo playing key roles in its demographic landscape. Economically, Venezuela is heavily reliant on its oil industry, which has suffered due to years of economic mismanagement, leading to shortages of basic goods and high inflation. Governance has been marked by authoritarian tendencies, especially under leaders like Hugo Chavez and Nicolas Maduro, amidst ongoing political unrest and significant emigration.

Geography

Venezuela's geography features a variety of landscapes, including mountains, plains, and extensive river systems. The country is bordered by Colombia and Brazil with coastlines along the Caribbean and Atlantic. Its area covers 912,050 square kilometers with rich natural resources, primarily petroleum and natural gas.

Total area: 912,050 sq km
Highest point: Pico Bolivar at 4,978 m
Natural resources: oil, natural gas, gold, diamonds
Major lakes: Lago de Maracaibo (13,010 sq km)
Major rivers: Orinoco River (2,101 km)

People and Society

Venezuela's population is approximately 31.8 million, with a diverse ethnic makeup that includes Spanish, Italian, African, and Indigenous groups. Spanish is the official language, while Roman Catholicism and Protestantism are the predominant religions. The nation has high urbanization, with 88.4% of its population living in urban areas.

Total population (2025 est.): 31,755,435
Urban population: 88.4%
Median age: 31.3 years
Literacy rate: 97.2%
Life expectancy: 74.5 years

Economy

Venezuela's economy is primarily oil-based, but it has been significantly affected by hyperinflation and political corruption. The country is facing economic challenges, including a high unemployment rate and ongoing debt issues. Despite these difficulties, there are signs of modest growth as the economy adapts to new market realities.

GDP (PPP 2023 est.): $110.943 billion
GDP per capita (PPP 2023 est.): $4,900
Unemployment rate (2024): 5.5%
Inflation rate (2022): 200.9%
Exports (2023): $83.401 billion

Government

Venezuela is a federal presidential republic characterized by strong executive powers and a challenging political landscape. The government has faced criticism for electoral fraud and authoritarian practices, leading to significant political unrest. Delcy Rodríguez is currently the interim president following the controversial electoral processes.

Capital: Caracas
Government type: Federal presidential republic
Most recent election: July 2024
Number of states: 23
Legal system: Civil law based on Spanish civil code

Military and Security

The Bolivarian National Armed Forces (FANB) is responsible for national defense and internal security, including policing and counter-narcotics operations. The military's role extends into economic sectors, with many officers in governmental and state-owned enterprises.

Active military personnel: Approximately 125,000
Military expenditures (2024): 0.6% of GDP
Pro-government armed groups: Colectivos
Military service age: 18-30 years

Energy

Venezuela's energy sector is dominated by its oil and natural gas resources. The country has a high reliance on hydropower for electricity generation, with total capacity at over 33 million kW.

Total petroleum production: 801,000 bbl/day (2023)
Electricity access: 100% (2022)
Hydroelectricity share: 78.3% of electricity generation (2023)

Environment

Venezuela faces significant environmental challenges, including pollution and deforestation. The country has committed to various international environmental agreements but faces pressure from issues such as urban pollution and mining activities.

Urban pollution sources: Lago de Maracaibo and coastal areas
Carbon dioxide emissions: 76.73 million metric tonnes (2023)
Water resources: 1.325 trillion cubic meters (2022)

Transportation

Venezuela has an extensive transportation network including roads, railways, and waterways. Major ports facilitate trade, while the country maintains a range of civil aircraft and airports for passenger transport.

Total airports: 509 (2025)
Total railways: 447 km (2014)
Merchant marine: 272 vessels (2023)

Communications

The telecommunications landscape in Venezuela includes a mix of state-controlled and private sectors. Internet and mobile phone usage have increased despite regulatory challenges.

Internet users: 62% of population (2017)
Mobile subscriptions: 20.2 million (2024)

Key Metrics

Metric	Value	Note
Population	31,755,435 (2025 est.)
Area	912,050 sq km
GDP (PPP)	$110.943 billion (2023)
Energy consumption per capita	54.474 million Btu/person (2023)
Birth rate	16.45 births/1,000 population (2025 est.)
Unemployment rate	5.5% (2024 est.)
Life expectancy	74.5 years (2024 est.)