Venezuela’s Population Shift: Urban & Rural Dynamics 1950-1990
Population Definitions & Characteristics
Urban Population
This comprises those living in cities and towns with more than 2,500 inhabitants. These areas are primarily dedicated to activities like manufacturing, commerce, and administration.
Urban Area Features
- High population density.
- Presence of essential services.
- Housing predominantly consists of blocks.
- Two main housing types: Multifamily (common in large cities) and Single-family/Uniform (common in smaller cities/towns).
Rural Population
This includes individuals living in areas, including towns, with fewer than 2,500 inhabitants. They are primarily devoted to farming and livestock.
Rural Area Features
- Low population density.
- Few basic services.
- Housing often includes traditional structures like bahareques.
- Key activities include agriculture, hunting, and fishing.
Migration Dynamics
Defining Migration
Migrations are displacements from one geographic area to another for an indefinite period.
Types of Migration
- Internal Migration: Population movements that occur within the same country.
- External Migration: Movements that occur to or from a country.
- Emigration: Outward movement from a country.
- Immigration: Inward movement into a country.
- Net Migration: The difference between the number of immigrants and emigrants.
Consequences of Migration
- Internal: Can lead to the abandonment of rural areas by the young population, the inability of cities to absorb arriving immigrants, resulting in inadequate housing, insufficient public services, and overcrowding.
- External: Can contribute to population growth and support the growth of cities, but may also cause depopulation in the country of origin.
Migration and Population Growth
Population growth is influenced by the migration balance. When the number of immigrants is higher than the number of emigrants (positive balance), the population increases. If the balance is negative (more emigrants than immigrants), the population decreases.
Venezuela’s Urban Transition (1950-1990)
Shift from Rural Dominance
Venezuela was predominantly rural until 1950. Until then, over half of the population was scattered in towns with fewer than 2,500 inhabitants. Since 1950, the urban population exceeded the rural population for the first time, and this trend has continued. At this point, the country ceased to be predominantly rural and transitioned towards being urban.
Becoming an Urban Country
From 1950 onwards, Venezuela progressively transformed into an urban country. This process was significantly driven by oil revenues, which funded major urban development projects.
Rural Population Trends (1950-1990)
Venezuela’s rural population was relatively stagnant between 1950 and 1981, hovering around 2,300,000 inhabitants. Its proportion of the national total declined significantly: from 44% in 1950 to just 16% in 1990.
Urban Population Trends (1950-1990)
Venezuela’s urban population grew steadily during this period. By 1990, a vast majority of the population lived in urban centers, a stark contrast to 1950 when less than half resided in such areas.
Causes of Urban Population Growth
- Rural Exodus: Migration from the countryside to cities.
- Economic Factors: Better living conditions resulting from oil development turned cities into centers of attraction. In contrast, rural areas often had low wages, sometimes paid with tokens or vouchers.
- Services & Security: Better health and medical care in cities provided more security.
- Natural Growth: Natural population growth (births minus deaths) was often higher in urban areas.
- Foreign Immigration: Immigration tended to concentrate in cities.
- Opportunities: Better educational opportunities in cities offered pathways to improve social status.