History of Venezuelans in Timeline

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: November 1, 2025

Venezuelans are individuals connected to Venezuela through citizenship, descent, or cultural identity. Many Venezuelans share multiple of these connections, forming the basis of their citizenship or strong bond with the country.

1981: Venezuelan population composition

In 1981, critics and academics estimated that approximately 51.6% of Venezuelans were mestizos or mulattos (Criollos), 45% were white, 2% were black, and 1% were Indians, with minimal presence of pure blacks or indigenous people, except for descendants of immigrants or specific indigenous tribes.

2008: Genetic autosomal DNA study by the University of Brasilia

In 2008, a genetic autosomal DNA study by the University of Brasilia (UNB) determined that the composition of the Venezuelan population consisted of 60.60% European, 23% Native American, and 16% African contributions.

2011: Religious Affiliation

According to a 2011 poll, 88.3 percent of the population is Christian, primarily Roman Catholic (71%), 17 percent Protestant, and the remaining 0.03 percent Mormons (LDS Church). The Venezuelans without religion are 9% (atheist 2%, agnostic or indifferent 6% and doesn't know/doesn't respond 1% ), almost 3% of the population follow other religions (1% of them are of santeria).

2011: Venezuelan Population and Emigration

In 2011, Venezuela had an approximate population of 28 million, ranking it as the sixth-most populous country in Latin America. Over one million Venezuelans (4-6% of the total population) were residing in other countries due to worsening economic conditions, with significant numbers in Guyana, Peru, Colombia, Brazil, Ecuador, the USA, Trinidad and Tobago, Chile, and Panama.

2011: Urbanization and Racial Self-Identification

In 2011, up to 95% of Venezuelans lived primarily in urban areas such as Greater Caracas, Maracaibo, Maracay, Valencia, Lecheria, Barquisimeto/Cabudare, Colonia Tovar, Punto Fijo, the Andean States, Margarita Island, and Araya Peninsula. Approximately 43.6% of the population self-identified as ‘blanco’ (white) in the 2011 census.