economy
May 8, 2026
55% of the population in Venezuela lives in 'multidimensional poverty', according to Encovi survey
More than half of the population in Venezuela lived in 2025 in conditions of 'multidimensional poverty', calculated from aspects such as income, employment, housing, services, education and health, according to the National Survey of Living Conditions (Encovi) released this Friday by the Andrés Bello Catholic University (UCAB). The figure, however, is lower than that recorded the previous year, when it stood at 57%.
TL;DR
- Over half of Venezuela's population lived in multidimensional poverty in 2025.
- Monetary poverty affected 68.5% of households, and extreme poverty affected 31.7%.
- Despite slight decreases, multidimensional poverty indicators remain concerning.
- Public services, housing conditions, and access to education have not improved.
- The Venezuelan economy experienced an 80% GDP loss due to an eight-year recession, followed by hyperinflation from 2017-2021.
- The minimum monthly wage remains frozen at 130 bolivars (approximately $0.27 USD), insufficient for basic needs.