委内瑞拉的石油资源全球第一，比沙特都还多，为何还穷困潦倒？

Core Insights - Venezuela possesses the world's largest oil reserves, with proven reserves of 300 billion barrels, accounting for 18.17% of global totals, surpassing Saudi Arabia's 268.5 billion barrels [1][3]. Group 1: Resource Abundance - Venezuela has significant natural resources, including natural gas reserves of 5.6 trillion cubic meters (8th globally), bauxite at 3.48 billion tons (3rd globally), iron ore at 14.68 billion tons, and gold at 161 tons [5]. - The country has a forest area covering 56% of its land, with an average of 20 acres of arable land per person [5]. Group 2: Economic Challenges - The economic growth rate is projected to be only 0.5% by 2025, with GDP at approximately half of its 2013 level [8]. - Inflation rates are astronomically high, reaching 269.9%, with a 2023 inflation rate of 190% [9]. - Over 91% of the population lives in poverty, with 67% in extreme poverty by 2021, and the poorest 10% earning only $8 per month [10]. Group 3: Oil Quality Issues - Venezuela's oil is heavy crude, which is more expensive to extract and process compared to Saudi Arabia's lighter crude, leading to lower profitability [15][16]. Group 4: Economic Mismanagement - The reliance on oil exports led to economic imbalance, with essential goods being imported and other industries underdeveloped [18]. - The high welfare policies initiated by Hugo Chávez, including free education and subsidized goods, strained government finances, leading to hyperinflation and economic collapse [20][23]. Group 5: Resource Curse - Venezuela exemplifies the "resource curse," where dependence on a single resource leads to economic instability and mismanagement [27][29].