Demographics of Venezuela
Encyclopedia
The Demographics of Venezuela
are the condition and overview of Venezuela
's peoples. Demographic
topics include basic education, health
, and population statistics as well as identified racial and religious affiliations.
, Portuguese
and Germans) migrated to Venezuela in the 20th century, influencing many aspects of Venezuelan life, including its culture, language, food, and music.
According to most sources, about half of the population is of racially mixed origin; Mestizo
s (European/Amerindian), Mulatto
s (European/African) and Zambo
s (Amerindian/African). Around one-fifth is said to be of European ancestry, and one-tenth African. The remaining Amerindian population is statistically small. Three Amerindian tribes located in the country are the Wayuu
, located in the west, in Zulia State, and the Timoto-cuicas
, also in the west, in Mérida State, in the Andes
.
About 85% of the population live in urban areas in the northern portion of the country and currently resides in the urban conglomerations (Caracas
, Maracay
, Maracaibo
, Valencia, etc.) that are concentrated in Venezuela's northern coastal mountain strip. Nearly half of Venezuela's geographic area lies south of the Orinoco River; however, this region contains only 5% of the Venezuelan population.
The World Factbook 2011 estimate puts Venezuela's total population at 27,635,743 inhabitants. Additionally, over the past five years, Venezuelan society's general age structure has been trending towards the homologous structure found in Cuba, Western Europe, Japan, and other healthy and rapidly aging societies. Notably, there has been a significant increase in the proportion and gross numbers of elderly Venezuelans (aged 65 and up), as well as a corresponding drop in the total fertility.
rate is that proportion or percentage of the Venezuelan population older than age 15 that can both read and write. The below are 2006 estimates from the INE.
; this is true nominally if not in practice.
Alternatively, according to government estimates, 92% of the population is at least nominally Roman Catholic
, and the remaining 8% are Protestant
, a member of another religion, or non-religious
. The Venezuelan Evangelical Council estimates that Evangelical
Protestants constitute 10% of the population.
Venezuela
Venezuela , officially called the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela , is a tropical country on the northern coast of South America. It borders Colombia to the west, Guyana to the east, and Brazil to the south...
are the condition and overview of Venezuela
Venezuela
Venezuela , officially called the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela , is a tropical country on the northern coast of South America. It borders Colombia to the west, Guyana to the east, and Brazil to the south...
's peoples. Demographic
Demographics
Demographics are the most recent statistical characteristics of a population. These types of data are used widely in sociology , public policy, and marketing. Commonly examined demographics include gender, race, age, disabilities, mobility, home ownership, employment status, and even location...
topics include basic education, health
Healthcare in Venezuela
Extensive inoculation programs and the availability of low- or no-cost health care provided by the Venezuelan Institute of Social Security have made Venezuela's health care infrastructure one of the more advanced in Latin America. Once the most comprehensive and well funded in the region, the...
, and population statistics as well as identified racial and religious affiliations.
Overview
The Venezuelan people comprise a combination of heritages. The historically present Amerindians, Spanish colonists, and African slaves have all contributed to varying degrees. Later, waves of European groups (ItaliansItalian people
The Italian people are an ethnic group that share a common Italian culture, ancestry and speak the Italian language as a mother tongue. Within Italy, Italians are defined by citizenship, regardless of ancestry or country of residence , and are distinguished from people...
, Portuguese
Portuguese people
The Portuguese are a nation and ethnic group native to the country of Portugal, in the west of the Iberian peninsula of south-west Europe. Their language is Portuguese, and Roman Catholicism is the predominant religion....
and Germans) migrated to Venezuela in the 20th century, influencing many aspects of Venezuelan life, including its culture, language, food, and music.
According to most sources, about half of the population is of racially mixed origin; Mestizo
Mestizo
Mestizo is a term traditionally used in Latin America, Philippines and Spain for people of mixed European and Native American heritage or descent...
s (European/Amerindian), Mulatto
Mulatto
Mulatto denotes a person with one white parent and one black parent, or more broadly, a person of mixed black and white ancestry. Contemporary usage of the term varies greatly, and the broader sense of the term makes its application rather subjective, as not all people of mixed white and black...
s (European/African) and Zambo
Zambo
Zambo or Cafuzo are racial terms used in the Spanish and Portuguese Empires and occasionally today to identify individuals in the Americas who are of mixed African and Amerindian ancestry...
s (Amerindian/African). Around one-fifth is said to be of European ancestry, and one-tenth African. The remaining Amerindian population is statistically small. Three Amerindian tribes located in the country are the Wayuu
Wayuu
Wayuu is an Amerindian ethnic group of the La Guajira Peninsula in northern Colombia and northwest Venezuela. They are part of the Maipurean language family.- Geography :...
, located in the west, in Zulia State, and the Timoto-cuicas
Timoto-cuicas
Timoto–Cuica people were an indigenous group compromised primarily of two tribes, the Timotes and the Cuicas, that inhabited in the Andean region of western Venezuela. They were closely related to the Muisca, or also known as the Chibchas, indigenous people of the Andes...
, also in the west, in Mérida State, in the Andes
Andes
The Andes is the world's longest continental mountain range. It is a continual range of highlands along the western coast of South America. This range is about long, about to wide , and of an average height of about .Along its length, the Andes is split into several ranges, which are separated...
.
About 85% of the population live in urban areas in the northern portion of the country and currently resides in the urban conglomerations (Caracas
Caracas
Caracas , officially Santiago de León de Caracas, is the capital and largest city of Venezuela; natives or residents are known as Caraquenians in English . It is located in the northern part of the country, following the contours of the narrow Caracas Valley on the Venezuelan coastal mountain range...
, Maracay
Maracay
Maracay is a city in north-central Venezuela, near the Caribbean coast, and is the capital and most important city of the state of Aragua. Most of it falls under the jurisdiction of the Girardot Municipality. The population as per the 2001 census was 750,000...
, Maracaibo
Maracaibo
Maracaibo is a city and municipality located in northwestern Venezuela off the western coast of the Lake Maracaibo. It is the second-largest city in the country after the national capital Caracas and the capital of Zulia state...
, Valencia, etc.) that are concentrated in Venezuela's northern coastal mountain strip. Nearly half of Venezuela's geographic area lies south of the Orinoco River; however, this region contains only 5% of the Venezuelan population.
The World Factbook 2011 estimate puts Venezuela's total population at 27,635,743 inhabitants. Additionally, over the past five years, Venezuelan society's general age structure has been trending towards the homologous structure found in Cuba, Western Europe, Japan, and other healthy and rapidly aging societies. Notably, there has been a significant increase in the proportion and gross numbers of elderly Venezuelans (aged 65 and up), as well as a corresponding drop in the total fertility.
CIA World Factbook demographic statistics
The following demographic statistics are from the CIA World Factbook, unless otherwise indicated.Life expectancy at birth
- total population: 73.93 years
- male: 70.84 years
- female: 77.17 years (2011 est.)
Birth and death rates
- 18.71 births per 1,000 population (2006 estimate).
- 4.92 deaths per 1,000 population (2006 estimate).
Age structure
| age group (years) | % | male | female |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0-14: | 29.9% | 3,909,876 | 3,667,958 |
| 15-64: | 65% | 8,287,255 | 8,209,599 |
| 65 and up: | 5.1% | 590,236 | 710,357 |
Sex ratio
| Age | Ratio (males/females) |
|---|---|
| Total: | 1.02 |
| At birth: | 1.07 |
| Under 15: | 1.07 |
| 15-64: | 1.01 |
| Over 65: | 0.83 |
Net emigration rate
Net emigration rate is zero (2006 estimate) according to the CIA world fact book.Literacy and education
The accepted formal and demographic definition of the literacyLiteracy
Literacy has traditionally been described as the ability to read for knowledge, write coherently and think critically about printed material.Literacy represents the lifelong, intellectual process of gaining meaning from print...
rate is that proportion or percentage of the Venezuelan population older than age 15 that can both read and write. The below are 2006 estimates from the INE.
| Population group | % |
|---|---|
| Total population: | 95.1% |
| Male: | 95.4% |
| Female: | 94.8% |
Ethnicity
According to the CIA's World FactBook, Venezuela's main ethnic groups are those of European, African and indigenous ancestry.Religious affiliation
The overwhelming majority of Venezuelans denote themselves as adherents of CatholicismRoman Catholic Church
The Catholic Church, also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the world's largest Christian church, with over a billion members. Led by the Pope, it defines its mission as spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ, administering the sacraments and exercising charity...
; this is true nominally if not in practice.
| Religion | % |
|---|---|
| Roman Catholic: | 96% |
| Protestant: | 2% |
| Others: | 2% |
Alternatively, according to government estimates, 92% of the population is at least nominally Roman Catholic
Roman Catholic Church
The Catholic Church, also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the world's largest Christian church, with over a billion members. Led by the Pope, it defines its mission as spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ, administering the sacraments and exercising charity...
, and the remaining 8% are Protestant
Protestantism
Protestantism is one of the three major groupings within Christianity. It is a movement that began in Germany in the early 16th century as a reaction against medieval Roman Catholic doctrines and practices, especially in regards to salvation, justification, and ecclesiology.The doctrines of the...
, a member of another religion, or non-religious
Irreligion
Irreligion is defined as an absence of religion or an indifference towards religion. Sometimes it may also be defined more narrowly as hostility towards religion. When characterized as hostility to religion, it includes antitheism, anticlericalism and antireligion. When characterized as...
. The Venezuelan Evangelical Council estimates that Evangelical
Evangelicalism
Evangelicalism is a Protestant Christian movement which began in Great Britain in the 1730s and gained popularity in the United States during the series of Great Awakenings of the 18th and 19th century.Its key commitments are:...
Protestants constitute 10% of the population.