现代委内瑞拉的发展进程与石油密切相关。石油业的蓬勃发展显著地改善了这个国家的经济、政治和社会，成为该国推动现代化进程的“引擎”。但是，对石油的高度依赖导致委内瑞拉经济的单一化，使该国面对“食利经济”带来的一系列制约。时至今日，委内瑞拉经济对石油的依赖有增无减，不得不频频面对国际石油市场价格波动带来的剧烈冲击。为降低经济的脆弱性，该国迫切需要推动非石油部门的发展，有效地提高生产率。
Oil is the core factor of the modern economy in Venezuela. In the 20th century，the country witnessed a complete restructure of politics，economics and society as a result of the sharp rise of oil economy. It is especially noteworthy that Venezuela continued to be vulnerable to fluctuations of oil price and restricted by the rentier economy based on oil income. To achieve a steady and sustained development，Venezuela is required to promote diversification of the economy and gain momentum from non-oil sectors to reverse the long lasting economic downturn.
