Religious Landscape of Venezuela: 2011 Census Overview

Venezuela's Constitution guarantees freedom of religion. The 2011 census (latest comprehensive data) reveals a diverse, predominantly Christian society with growing pluralism.

Major Affiliations (2011 Estimates)

• Roman Catholic: ~71% – Historically dominant; deep cultural influence despite declining practice.
• Protestant/Evangelical: ~17.9% – Rapid growth since 1990s; Pentecostal and charismatic movements lead.
• Irreligious (atheist/agnostic/none): ~8.6% – Rising, especially among urban youth.
• Other Christian: Small Anglican, Lutheran, Methodist communities.
• Judaism: ~10,000 – Concentrated in Caracas; declining due to emigration.
• Islam: ~10,000 – Mostly Sunni; growing via conversion and immigration.
• Afro-Venezuelan syncretic: Santería, María Lionza (blending African, Indigenous, Catholic elements). Coastal regions.
• Indigenous beliefs: Animism, shamanism, nature worship among 50+ recognized groups.

Trends Since 2011

• Catholic share likely declined further; Evangelical growth continued.
• Economic crisis (2013–present) accelerated emigration, affecting all communities.
• Non-religious identification likely increased.
• Government-Church tensions under Chávez/Maduro altered public religion dynamics.

For current data, consult the Instituto Nacional de Estadística (INE) or academic studies (e.g., Latinobarómetro, Pew Research).