Country Profile: Venezuela

Venezuela, located in northern South America, is bordered by the Caribbean Sea, Colombia, and Guyana, featuring a diverse terrain that includes the Andes Mountains and vast plains. The country has a population of approximately 31.8 million people, predominantly concentrated in urban areas like the capital, Caracas. Economically, Venezuela is heavily reliant on its petroleum industry, which has faced significant challenges due to years of mismanagement and political corruption, resulting in a chaotic economy marked by hyperinflation and a declining standard of living. Governance has been contentious, with a federal presidential republic structure marred by authoritarian practices and allegations of electoral fraud.

Geography

Venezuela’s geographic position gives it a significant maritime presence, with a coastline of approximately 2,800 km along the Caribbean Sea. The country's diverse landscapes range from the Andes in the west to the Guiana Highlands in the southeast, and it is rich in natural resources such as oil, natural gas, and minerals.

912,050 sq km: Total area.
5,267 km: Total land boundaries with Colombia, Brazil, and Guyana.
2.9%: Arable land as a proportion of agricultural land (2023 estimate).
53.5%: Percentage of forested land (2023 estimate).
4,978 m: Highest point is Pico Bolivar.
8: Major tepuys supporting unique ecosystems, including Angel Falls, the world's highest waterfall (979 m).

People and Society

Venezuela's population is a mix of various ethnicities, primarily Spanish, Italian, and Indigenous. The country exhibits a youthful demographic, with a median age of 31.3 years, and is predominantly urbanized, with nearly 88.4% of people living in cities. Spanish is the official language, while Roman Catholicism is the major religion.

31.8 million: Estimated population for 2025.
97.2%: Literacy rate (2017 estimate).
16.45: Births per 1,000 population (2025 estimate).
74.5 years: Life expectancy at birth (2024 estimate).
33.1%: Population living below the poverty line (2015 estimate).

Economy

Venezuela's economy has been severely affected by ongoing hyperinflation and dependence on oil exports. Despite possessing vast petroleum reserves, the government’s mismanagement has led to defaults and economic chaos. The agricultural sector also faces challenges amid political corruption and infrastructure neglect.

$110.943 billion: Estimated real GDP (2023).
5.5%: Unemployment rate (2024 estimate).
200.9%: Estimated inflation rate for 2022.
$4,900: Real GDP per capita (2023 estimate).
33.1%: Population below the poverty line (2015 estimate).

Government

Venezuela operates as a federal presidential republic, though recent years have seen significant power consolidation in the executive branch. The National Assembly, while largely seen as illegitimate by opposition groups and international observers, serves as the legislative body.

Delcy Rodríguez: Current Interim President since January 2026.
18 years: Minimum voting age.
277: Seats in the National Assembly.
15%: Required voter petition for constitutional amendments.
5: Year term for elected members of the National Assembly.

Military and Security

The Bolivarian National Armed Forces (FANB) are responsible for both national defense and internal security, operating alongside the Bolivarian National Police. Venezuela has been known to engage in proactive military operations against organized crime and maintains strong ties with other military forces internationally.

125,000-150,000: Estimated active military personnel.
0.6%: Military expenditure as a percentage of the GDP (2024 estimate).
200,000: Estimated size of the Bolivarian Militia (2025).
24-30 months: Mandatory service for military personnel.
1,268: Total military and security forces personnel including police.

Energy

Venezuela's energy landscape is dominated by fossil fuels, particularly petroleum, with a substantial portion of electricity generated from hydroelectric sources. The country relies heavily on its vast oil reserves while facing challenges in energy sector management.

801,000 bbl/day: Total petroleum production (2023).
33.493 million kW: Total installed electricity generating capacity (2023).
100%: Electrification rate of the total population (2022).
78.3%: Percentage of electricity generated from hydroelectric sources (2023).
5.674 trillion cubic meters: Proven natural gas reserves (2021).

Environment

Venezuela faces various environmental challenges, including pollution from oil extraction and urban areas, deforestation, and threats to biodiversity. Efforts to manage these issues are complicated by political and economic instability.

93.3%: Population with access to improved drinking water (2022).
16.1 µg/m³: Particulate matter emissions (2019 estimate).
76.73 million metric tons: Total CO2 emissions (2023 estimate).
1.325 trillion cubic meters: Total renewable water resources (2022).
21.3%: Percentage of municipal solid waste recycled (2022).

Transportation

Venezuela has a diverse transportation network, including extensive air and maritime transport options, though the infrastructure has suffered from years of neglect. The country has numerous airports and a small railway system.

509: Total airports (2025).
272: Total vessels in the merchant marine (2023).
447 km: Length of railways (2014).
31: Total ports (2024).
88: Heliports (2025).

Communications

Venezuela's communications infrastructure includes both state-run and private media, although press freedom is restricted. The country has a significant number of mobile and fixed telephone subscriptions, with internet penetration present but limited by various factors.

20.2 million: Mobile cellular subscriptions (2024).
62%: Internet usage rate (2017 estimate).
2.683 million: Fixed telephone subscriptions (2022).
2.7 million: Fixed broadband subscriptions (2022).
10: Fixed line subscriptions per 100 inhabitants (2022).

Key Metrics

Metric	Value	Note
Population	31,755,435	2025 estimate
Area	912,050 sq km	Total area
GDP (PPP)	$110.943 billion	2023 estimate
Energy Consumption per Capita	54.474 million Btu/person	2023 estimate
Birth Rate	16.45 births/1,000	2025 estimate
Unemployment Rate	5.5%	2024 estimate
Life Expectancy	74.5 years	2024 estimate
Literacy Rate	97.2%	2017 estimate
Inflation Rate	200.9%	2022 estimate