Quick facts
Venezuela population overview
Venezuela is the 5th most populous of 14 countries and territories in South America. The United Nations put the population at 28,574,443 on 1 January 2026; with an annual growth rate of +0.4% the live estimate on this page rises by roughly 329 people per day.
Over a full year that means about 440,046 births (15.4 per 1,000 people) and 225,738 deaths (7.9 per 1,000), and net emigration of roughly 91,438 people. The infant mortality rate is 14 per 1,000 live births.
World Bank data show the population grew from 8,160,090 in 1960 to 28,516,896 in 2025 — a change of +249.5%, or +1.9% per year on average. It peaked at 30,765,720 in 2016 and has declined 6.8% since.
Demographically, the median age is 29.5 years; life expectancy at birth is 73 years; women have on average 2.1 children (2024, below the 2.1 replacement level); 24.9% of residents are under 15 and 10% are 65 or older (2025); 89.3% of people live in urban areas (2025).
The capital is Caracas. Venezuela covers 912,050 km², giving a population density of about 31.4 people per km². GDP was $99.66B in 2025 — about $3,495 per person (World Bank classification: lower middle income).
Venezuela population statistics (2026)
| Population (live, October 2026) | 28,670,150 |
|---|---|
| UN estimate, 1 Jan 2026 | 28,574,443 |
| World rank | #53 of 238 |
| Rank in South America | #5 of 14 |
| Share of world population | 0.3% |
| Annual growth rate | +0.4% |
| Births per year est. | 440,046 |
| Deaths per year est. | 225,738 |
| Net migration per year est. | -91,438 |
| Birth rate | 15.4 per 1,000 |
| Death rate | 7.9 per 1,000 |
| Infant mortality | 14 per 1,000 births |
| Sex ratio | 97.5 males per 100 females |
| Median age | 29.5 years |
| Life expectancy | 73 years |
| Fertility rate 2024 | 2.1 births per woman |
| Urban population 2025 | 89.3% |
| Surface area 2023 | 912,050 km² |
| Population density | 31.4 per km² |
| Capital | Caracas |
| GDP (current US$) 2025 | $99.66B |
| GDP per capita 2025 | $3,495 |
| Income group World Bank | Lower middle income |
Venezuela population by year
| Year | Population | Change | Annual growth |
|---|---|---|---|
| October 2026 (live, UN-based) | 28,670,150 | – | – |
| 2025 | 28,516,896 | +111,353 | +0.4% |
| 2024 | 28,405,543 | +104,689 | +0.4% |
| 2023 | 28,300,854 | +87,837 | +0.3% |
| 2022 | 28,213,017 | -24,809 | -0.1% |
| 2021 | 28,237,826 | -206,251 | -0.7% |
| 2020 | 28,444,077 | -2,129,895 | -1.4% |
| 2015 | 30,573,972 | +1,760,871 | +1.2% |
| 2010 | 28,813,101 | +2,027,297 | +1.5% |
| 2005 | 26,785,804 | +2,259,096 | +1.8% |
| 2000 | 24,526,708 | +2,332,887 | +2% |
| 1995 | 22,193,821 | +2,366,811 | +2.3% |
| 1990 | 19,827,010 | +2,365,576 | +2.6% |
| 1985 | 17,461,434 | +2,203,216 | +2.7% |
| 1980 | 15,258,218 | +2,042,326 | +2.9% |
| 1975 | 13,215,892 | +1,828,102 | +3% |
| 1970 | 11,387,790 | +1,690,000 | +3.3% |
| 1965 | 9,697,790 | +1,537,700 | +3.5% |
| 1960 | 8,160,090 | – | – |
Change and annual growth are measured against the previous row; growth is annualized where rows are five years apart. The live row extrapolates the UN estimate and is not directly comparable with the World Bank series.
About Venezuela
Population over time
- From 8,160,090 in 1960 to 28,670,150 today — up 251.3%.
- Population peaked at 30,765,720 in 2016 and is down 6.8% since.
- Average change over the last 10 years of data: -0.7% per year.
Life expectancy & fertility
- Life expectancy at birth: 72.7 years (2024), up 14.3 years since 1960.
- Fertility: 2.1 births per woman (2024) — below the ~2.1 replacement level.
Birth & death rates
- Latest: 15.2 births vs 7.7 deaths per 1,000 people (2024).
- Natural increase of 7.6 per 1,000 a year, before migration.
Age structure
- 24.9% of the population is under 15 and 10% is 65 or older (2025).
- The 65+ share has grown from 2.3% in 1960 — the population is aging.
CO₂ emissions
- Latest total: 96.41 Mt CO₂ (2024).
- Emissions peaked at 193.8 Mt in 2012 — down 50.3% since.
- Per person: 3.39 t in 2024, vs 5.21 t in 1970.
Energy use & renewables
- Energy use: 1,331.2 kg of oil equivalent per person (2023), down 33.4% since 1990.
- Renewables supplied 33.7% of final energy in 2021 (+21.7 points since 1990).
Forest area (% of land)
- Forest covers 52.2% of land area (2023).
- Net deforestation: cover fell from 59% to 52.2% since 1990 — roughly 61,556 km² of forest lost.
Urban population (% of total)
- 89.3% of people live in urban areas (2025), vs 61.9% in 1960 (+27.4 points).
- Majority-urban for the whole period covered.
Water resources & stress
- Water stress: low — freshwater withdrawals are 2.8% of renewable internal resources (2022, SDG 6.4.2-style bands).
- Renewable freshwater per person: 28,533 m³ in 2022, down 70% since 1961.
Economy
- GDP: $99.66B in 2025.
- Nominal GDP is down 20.4% since 2015.
- That works out to $3,495 per person.
Unemployment & inflation
- Unemployment: 5.3% of the labor force (2025, ILO estimate).
- Consumer-price inflation: 254.9% in 2016 — persistently high inflation erodes real incomes.
Internet & mobile
- 76.7% of people used the internet in 2024.
- Mobile subscriptions: 71 per 100 people (2024).
Venezuela in the news
Frequently asked questions
What is the population of Venezuela in 2026?
As of October 2026, Venezuela has an estimated population of 28,670,150. The United Nations estimated 28,574,443 residents on 1 January 2026; the live figure on this page extrapolates that estimate using the +0.4% annual growth rate.
Is the population of Venezuela growing or shrinking?
It is growing at +0.4% per year — roughly 329 more people every day. Each year there are about 440,046 births and 225,738 deaths, with net migration of -91,438.
What is the population density of Venezuela?
About 31.4 people per square kilometre: 28,670,150 people living on 912,050 km² of surface area (World Bank, 2023).
What is the median age in Venezuela?
The median age is 29.5 years, and life expectancy at birth is 73 years. 24.9% of the population is under 15 and 10% is 65 or older (2025).
How does Venezuela rank by population?
Venezuela is the 53rd most populous of 238 countries and territories worldwide and the 5th in South America, with 0.3% of the global population.
How has the population of Venezuela changed over time?
In 1960 the population was 8,160,090; by 2025 it had grown to 28,516,896 (+249.5%). The year-by-year table above lists the full World Bank series.
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CameroonSources & method: the live population is a linear extrapolation of the UN World Population Prospects estimate for 1 January 2026 using the annual growth rate (+0.4%); births, deaths and migration counters apply the UN crude rates to the live figure. Historical series, area, GDP and other indicators are from World Bank Open Data; the encyclopedic summary is from Wikipedia. Figures are statistical estimates, not census counts. Page generated 2026-10-19. More about our data.