World · permanent entity record · NS
Suriname
Thirty-second orientation
Suriname at a glance
- Nationality / demonym
- noun: Surinamer(s); adjective: Surinamese
- CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · as of 2026-02-04
- Government
- presidential republic
- CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · as of 2026-02-04
- Languages
- Dutch (official), English (widely spoken), Sranang Tongo (Surinamese, sometimes called Taki-Taki, is the native language of Creoles and much of the younger population), Caribbean Hindustani (a dialect of Hindi), Javanese
- CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · as of 2026-02-04
Independently structured milestones · not a complete national history
Suriname through time
Admitted to the United Nations
Suriname became a member of the United Nations.
United Nations, Member States · source checked 2026-09-04
Source history · changed fields only
Changes since the final CIA profile
| Field | Maintained Almanac value | Final CIA profile |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 639,850World Bank, World Development Indicators · observation year 2025 | total: 653,605 (2025 est.) male: 323,747 female: 329,858CIA World Factbook · as of 2026-01-18 |
A difference may reflect a newer observation, a revised estimate, or a different source definition. This table reports the values and dates; it does not manufacture a trend.
World Development Indicators · latest available observation
People, economy, and access
Observation years vary by measure. Each row identifies the series and year instead of presenting unlike dates as one current snapshot.
- Gross domestic product
- $4.5 billion
- World Bank, World Development Indicators · indicator NY.GDP.MKTP.CD · observation year 2025 · dataset updated 2026-07-13World Development Indicators observation for 2025; indicator NY.GDP.MKTP.CD. Underlying providers: National statistical authorities, central banks, OECD national accounts, and World Bank staff estimates. Retrieved 2026-09-08.
- Gross domestic product per person
- $7,070
- World Bank, World Development Indicators · indicator NY.GDP.PCAP.CD · observation year 2025 · dataset updated 2026-07-13World Development Indicators observation for 2025; indicator NY.GDP.PCAP.CD. Underlying providers: National statistical authorities, central banks, OECD national accounts, and World Bank staff estimates. Retrieved 2026-09-08.
- Life expectancy at birth
- 73.8 years
- World Bank, World Development Indicators · indicator SP.DYN.LE00.IN · observation year 2024 · dataset updated 2026-07-13World Development Indicators observation for 2024; indicator SP.DYN.LE00.IN. Underlying providers: UN Population Division, national statistical offices, and Eurostat. Retrieved 2026-09-08.
- Urban population
- 65.8%
- World Bank, World Development Indicators · indicator SP.URB.TOTL.IN.ZS · observation year 2025 · dataset updated 2026-07-13World Development Indicators observation for 2025; indicator SP.URB.TOTL.IN.ZS. Underlying providers: UN Population Division, World Urbanization Prospects. Retrieved 2026-09-08.
- Access to electricity
- 99.0%
- World Bank, World Development Indicators · indicator EG.ELC.ACCS.ZS · observation year 2024 · dataset updated 2026-07-13World Development Indicators observation for 2024; indicator EG.ELC.ACCS.ZS. Underlying providers: World Bank ESMAP, Tracking SDG 7. Retrieved 2026-09-08.
- People using the internet
- 87.4%
- World Bank, World Development Indicators · indicator IT.NET.USER.ZS · observation year 2023 · dataset updated 2026-07-13World Development Indicators observation for 2023; indicator IT.NET.USER.ZS. Underlying providers: International Telecommunication Union. Source footnote: Source and notes: ITU estimate., Retrieved 2026-09-08.
World Development Indicators data are provided under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0). The linked indicator metadata identifies the underlying statistical providers.
Maintained profile
- Capital
- Paramaribo
- CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · The nation set and displayed federal short name follow the current State Department independent-states register, dated August 11, 2026.
- Area
- 163,820 sq km
- CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · Final CIA source data preserved by a community mirror after the Factbook was retired; the mirror is not the issuing authority.
- Population
- 639,850
- World Bank, World Development Indicators · World Development Indicators observation for 2025; indicator SP.POP.TOTL. Underlying providers: UN Population Division, national statistical offices, and Eurostat. Retrieved 2026-09-08.
- Currency
- Surinamese dollars (SRD)
- CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · Currency label extracted from the Factbook exchange-rate field.
- Languages
- Dutch (official), English (widely spoken), Sranang Tongo (Surinamese, sometimes called Taki-Taki, is the native language of Creoles and much of the younger population), Caribbean Hindustani (a dialect of Hindi), Javanese
- CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · Factbook language listing reproduced without inferring official status beyond the source wording.
- Nationality / demonym
- noun: Surinamer(s); adjective: Surinamese
- CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · The source’s noun and adjective forms are retained. These are language labels, not evidence of any individual person’s citizenship.
- Continent
- South America
- CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · Continental label standardized from the archived profile region “South America.”
- Coastline
- 386 km
- CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · Preserved final CIA profile; this field is a historical baseline, not a claim of current conditions.
- Climate
- tropical; moderated by trade winds
- CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · Preserved final CIA profile; this field is a historical baseline, not a claim of current conditions.
- Religions
- Protestant 23.6% (includes Evangelical 11.2%, Moravian 11.2%, Reformed 0.7%, Lutheran 0.5%), Hindu 22.3%, Roman Catholic 21.6%, Muslim 13.8%, other Christian 3.2%, Winti 1.8%, Jehovah's Witness 1.2%, other 1.7%, none 7.5%, unspecified 3.2% (2012 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · Preserved final CIA profile; this field is a historical baseline, not a claim of current conditions.
- Flag colors
- green, white, red, yellow
- CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · Colors extracted from the flag description in the preserved final CIA profile.
- National symbol
- royal palm, faya lobi (flower)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · Preserved final CIA profile; this field is a historical baseline, not a claim of current conditions.
- Highest point
- Juliana Top · 4,035 ft (1,230 m)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · Preserved final CIA profile; this field is a historical baseline, not a claim of current conditions.
- Lowest point
- unnamed location in the coastal plain · -7 ft (-2 m)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · Preserved final CIA profile; this field is a historical baseline, not a claim of current conditions.
- NATO membership
- Not a member
- NATO, What is NATO? · Membership status is reported from the organization's current member list as of the stated date.
- BRICS membership
- Not a member
- BRICS Brazil, About the BRICS · Membership status is reported from the organization's current member list as of the stated date.
Preserved public-domain record · not maintained current data
Final CIA World Factbook profile
This is the preserved historical baseline from the Factbook’s final public snapshot. It is presented as the CIA stated it, not as a current Standard American Almanac finding. Current, independently maintained facts appear above when available.
CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · profile updated · pinned source record · commit d81154954b8b
Introduction1 fields
- Background
- The Spaniards first explored Suriname in the 16th century, and the English then settled it in the mid-17th century. Suriname became a Dutch colony in 1667. With the abolition of African slavery in 1863, workers were brought in from India and Java. The Netherlands granted the colony independence in 1975. Five years later, the civilian government was replaced by a military regime that soon declared Suriname a socialist republic. It continued to exert control through a succession of nominally civilian administrations until 1987, when international pressure finally forced a democratic election. In 1990, the military overthrew the civilian leadership, but a democratically elected government -- a four-party coalition -- returned to power in 1991. The coalition expanded to eight parties in 2005 and ruled until 2010, when voters returned former military leader Desire BOUTERSE and his opposition coalition to power. President BOUTERSE ran unopposed in 2015 and was reelected. Opposition parties campaigned hard against BOUTERSE in the run-up to the 2020 elections, and a multi-party coalition led by Chandrikapersad SANTOKHI’s VHP and Ronnie Brunswijk’s ABOP was installed.
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Geography18 fields
- Location
- Northern South America, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between French Guiana and Guyana
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Area
- total : 163,820 sq km land: 156,000 sq km water: 7,820 sq km
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Land boundaries
- total: 1,907 km border countries (3): Brazil 515 km; French Guiana 556 km; Guyana 836 km
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Maritime claims
- territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Terrain
- mostly rolling hills; narrow coastal plain with swamps
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Elevation
- highest point: Juliana Top 1,230 m lowest point: unnamed location in the coastal plain -2 m mean elevation: 246 m
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Natural resources
- timber, hydropower, fish, kaolin, shrimp, bauxite, gold, and small amounts of nickel, copper, platinum, iron ore
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Land use
- agricultural land: 0.4% (2023 est.) arable land: 0.3% (2023 est.) permanent crops: 0% (2023 est.) permanent pasture: 0.1% (2023 est.) forest: 91.7% (2023 est.) other: 7.9% (2023 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Major watersheds (area sq km)
- Atlantic Ocean drainage: Amazon (6,145,186 sq km)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Population distribution
- population is concentrated along the northern coastal strip; the remainder of the country is sparsely populated
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Geography - note
- smallest independent country on the South American continent; mostly tropical rainforest; great diversity of flora and fauna; relatively small population, mostly along the coast
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
People and Society33 fields
- Population
- total: 653,605 (2025 est.) male: 323,747 female: 329,858
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Nationality
- noun: Surinamer(s) adjective: Surinamese
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Ethnic groups
- Hindustani (also known locally as "East Indians"; their ancestors emigrated from northern India in the latter part of the 19th century) 27.4%, Maroon (their African ancestors were brought to the country in the 17th and 18th centuries as slaves and escaped to the interior) 21.7%, Creole (mixed White and Black) 15.7%, Javanese 13.7%, mixed 13.4%, other 7.6%, unspecified 0.6% (2012 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Languages
- Dutch (official), English (widely spoken), Sranang Tongo (Surinamese, sometimes called Taki-Taki, is the native language of Creoles and much of the younger population), Caribbean Hindustani (a dialect of Hindi), Javanese major-language sample(s): Het Wereld Feitenboek, een omnisbare bron van informatie. (Dutch) The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information. (English)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Religions
- Protestant 23.6% (includes Evangelical 11.2%, Moravian 11.2%, Reformed 0.7%, Lutheran 0.5%), Hindu 22.3%, Roman Catholic 21.6%, Muslim 13.8%, other Christian 3.2%, Winti 1.8%, Jehovah's Witness 1.2%, other 1.7%, none 7.5%, unspecified 3.2% (2012 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Age structure
- 0-14 years: 22.5% (male 73,864/female 71,573) 15-64 years: 70% (male 226,417/female 226,235) 65 years and over: 7.5% (2024 est.) (male 20,071/female 28,598)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Dependency ratios
- total dependency ratio: 43 (2025 est.) youth dependency ratio: 31.8 (2025 est.) elderly dependency ratio: 11.2 (2025 est.) potential support ratio: 8.9 (2025 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Median age
- total: 32.3 years (2025 est.) male: 31 years female: 32.9 years
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Birth rate
- 14.63 births/1,000 population (2025 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Death rate
- 6.74 deaths/1,000 population (2025 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Net migration rate
- 2.46 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2025 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Population distribution
- population is concentrated along the northern coastal strip; the remainder of the country is sparsely populated
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Urbanization
- urban population: 66.4% of total population (2023) rate of urbanization: 0.88% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Major urban areas - population
- 239,000 PARAMARIBO (capital) (2018)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Sex ratio
- at birth: 1.07 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.03 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.7 male(s)/female total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2024 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Maternal mortality ratio
- 84 deaths/100,000 live births (2023 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Infant mortality rate
- total: 29.3 deaths/1,000 live births (2025 est.) male: 37.6 deaths/1,000 live births female: 21 deaths/1,000 live births
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Life expectancy at birth
- total population: 72.7 years (2024 est.) male: 69 years female: 76.7 years
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Total fertility rate
- 1.87 children born/woman (2025 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Drinking water source
- urban: 98.7% of population (2022 est.) rural: 96.6% of population (2022 est.) total: 98% of population (2022 est.) urban: 1.3% of population (2022 est.) rural: 3.4% of population (2022 est.) total: 2% of population (2022 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Health expenditure
- 5.7% of GDP (2021) 13.1% of national budget (2022 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Physician density
- 1.36 physicians/1,000 population (2023)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Hospital bed density
- 2.9 beds/1,000 population (2020 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Sanitation facility access
- urban: 98.5% of population (2022 est.) rural: 91.2% of population (2022 est.) total: 96.1% of population (2022 est.) urban: 1.5% of population (2022 est.) rural: 8.8% of population (2022 est.) total: 3.9% of population (2022 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Alcohol consumption per capita
- total: 6.6 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.) beer: 3.4 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.) wine: 0.14 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.) spirits: 2.87 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.) other alcohols: 0.18 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Children under the age of 5 years underweight
- 6.7% (2018 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Currently married women (ages 15-49)
- 52.2% (2018 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Child marriage
- women married by age 15: 8.8% (2018) women married by age 18: 36% (2018) men married by age 18: 19.6% (2018)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Education expenditure
- 2.9% of GDP (2023 est.) 8.6% national budget (2024 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)
- total: 11 years (2021 est.) male: 10 years (2021 est.) female: 11 years (2021 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Environment10 fields
- Environmental issues
- deforestation; pollution of inland waterways from small-scale mining activities
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- International environmental agreements
- party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Climate Change-Paris Agreement, Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping-London Convention, Marine Dumping-London Protocol, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 2006, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Land use
- agricultural land: 0.4% (2023 est.) arable land: 0.3% (2023 est.) permanent crops: 0% (2023 est.) permanent pasture: 0.1% (2023 est.) forest: 91.7% (2023 est.) other: 7.9% (2023 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Urbanization
- urban population: 66.4% of total population (2023) rate of urbanization: 0.88% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Carbon dioxide emissions
- 2.521 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.) from petroleum and other liquids: 2.507 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.) from consumed natural gas: 14,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Particulate matter emissions
- 12.2 micrograms per cubic meter (2019 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Waste and recycling
- municipal solid waste generated annually: 78,600 tons (2024 est.) percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 16.9% (2022 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Total water withdrawal
- municipal: 49.3 million cubic meters (2022 est.) industrial: 135.5 million cubic meters (2022 est.) agricultural: 431.1 million cubic meters (2022 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Total renewable water resources
- 99 billion cubic meters (2022 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Government23 fields
- Country name
- conventional long form: Republic of Suriname conventional short form: Suriname local long form: Republiek Suriname local short form: Suriname former: Netherlands Guiana, Dutch Guiana etymology: name may derive from the Surinen people who inhabited the area at the time of European contact
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Capital
- name: Paramaribo geographic coordinates: 5 50 N, 55 10 W time difference: UTC-3 (2 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time) etymology: the name comes from the Guaraní words para (water or river) and maribo (inhabitants)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Administrative divisions
- 10 districts (distrikten, singular - distrikt); Brokopondo, Commewijne, Coronie, Marowijne, Nickerie, Para, Paramaribo, Saramacca, Sipaliwini, Wanica
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Legal system
- civil law system influenced by Dutch civil law
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Constitution
- history: previous 1975; latest ratified 30 September 1987, effective 30 October 1987 amendment process: proposed by the National Assembly; passage requires at least two-thirds majority vote of the total membership
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- International law organization participation
- accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; accepts ICCt jurisdiction
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Citizenship
- citizenship by birth: no citizenship by descent only: at least one parent must be a citizen of Suriname dual citizenship recognized: no residency requirement for naturalization: 5 years
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Executive branch
- chief of state: President Jennifer GEERLINGS-SIMONS (since 16 July 2025) head of government: President Jennifer GEERLINGS-SIMONS (since 16 July 2025) cabinet: Cabinet of Ministers appointed by the president election/appointment process: president and vice president indirectly elected by the National Assembly; president and vice president serve a 5-year term (no term limits) most recent election date: 6 July 2025 election results: 2025: Jennifer GEERLINGS-SIMONS elected president unopposed; National Assembly vote - NA 2020: Chandrikapersad "Chan" SANTOKHI elected president unopposed; National Assembly vote - NA 2015: Desire Delano BOUTERSE reelected president unopposed; National Assembly vote - NA expected date of next election: 2030 note: the president is both chief of state and head of government
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Legislative branch
- legislature name: National Assembly (Nationale Assemblee) legislative structure: unicameral number of seats: 51 (all directly elected) electoral system: proportional representation scope of elections: full renewal term in office: 5 years most recent election date: 5/25/2025 parties elected and seats per party: National Democratic Party (NDP) (18); Progressive Reform Party (VHP) (17); National Party of Suriname (NPS) (6); General Liberation and Development Party (ABOP) (6); Other (4) percentage of women in chamber: 31.4% expected date of next election: May 2030
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Judicial branch
- highest court(s): High Court of Justice of Suriname (consists of the court president, vice president, and 4 judges) judge selection and term of office: court judges appointed by the national president in consultation with the National Assembly, the State Advisory Council, and the Order of Private Attorneys; judges serve for life subordinate courts: cantonal courts note: appeals beyond the High Court are referred to the Caribbean Court of Justice; human rights violations can be appealed to the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights with judgments issued by the Inter-American Court on Human Rights
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Political parties
- Brotherhood and Unity in Politics or BEP Democratic Alternative '91 or DA91 General Liberation and Development Party or ABOP National Democratic Party or NDP National Party of Suriname or NPS Party for Democracy and Development in Unity or DOE Party for National Unity and Solidarity or KTPI People's Alliance (Pertjajah Luhur) or PL Progressive Workers' and Farmers' Union or PALU Progressive Reform Party or VHP Reform and Renewal Movement or HVB Surinamese Labor Party or SPA
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Diplomatic representation in the US
- chief of mission: Ambassador Jan Marten Willem SCHALKWIJK (since 19 April 2022) chancery: 4301 Connecticut Avenue NW, Suite 400, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 629-4302 FAX: [1] (202) 629-4769 email address and website: amb.vs@gov.sr https://surinameembassy.org/index.html consulate(s) general: Miami
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Diplomatic representation from the US
- chief of mission: Ambassador Robert J. FAUCHER (since 31 January 2023) embassy: 165 Kristalstraat, Paramaribo mailing address: 3390 Paramaribo Place, Washington DC 20521-3390 telephone: [597] 556-700 FAX: [597] 551-524 email address and website: caparamar@state.gov https://sr.usembassy.gov/
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- International organization participation
- ACP, ACS, AOSIS, Caricom, CD, CDB, CELAC, FAO, G-77, IADB, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITU, ITUC (NGOs), LAES, MIGA, NAM, OAS, OIC, OPANAL, OPCW, PCA, Petrocaribe, UN, UNASUR, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Independence
- 25 November 1975 (from the Netherlands)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- National holiday
- Independence Day, 25 November (1975)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Flag
- description: five horizontal bands of green (top, double-width), white, red (quadruple-width), white, and green (double-width); a five-pointed yellow star is centered on the red band meaning: red stands for progress and love, green for hope and fertility, and white for peace, justice, and freedom; the star represents the unity of ethnic groups
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- National symbol(s)
- royal palm, faya lobi (flower)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- National anthem(s)
- title: "God zij met ons Suriname!" (God Be With Our Suriname) lyrics/music: Cornelis Atses HOEKSTRA and Henry DE ZIEL/Johannes Corstianus DE PUY history: adopted 1959; originally adapted from a Sunday-school song written in 1893; contains lyrics in both Dutch and Sranang Tongo
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- National heritage
- total World Heritage Sites: 3 (2 cultural, 1 natural) selected World Heritage Site locales: Central Suriname Nature Reserve (n); Historic Inner City of Paramaribo (c); Jodensavanne Archaeological Site: Jodensavanne Settlement and Cassipora Creek Cemetery (c)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Economy28 fields
- Economic overview
- upper middle-income South American economy; new floating currency regime; key aluminum goods, gold, and hydrocarbon exporter; new IMF plan for economic recovery and fiscal sustainability; controversial hardwood industry
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Real GDP (purchasing power parity)
- $12.316 billion (2024 est.) $11.976 billion (2023 est.) $11.68 billion (2022 est.) note: data in 2021 dollars
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Real GDP growth rate
- 2.8% (2024 est.) 2.5% (2023 est.) 2.4% (2022 est.) note: annual GDP % growth based on constant local currency
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Real GDP per capita
- $19,400 (2024 est.) $19,000 (2023 est.) $18,700 (2022 est.) note: data in 2021 dollars
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- GDP (official exchange rate)
- $4.714 billion (2024 est.) note: data in current dollars at official exchange rate
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Inflation rate (consumer prices)
- 16.2% (2024 est.) 51.6% (2023 est.) 52.4% (2022 est.) note: annual % change based on consumer prices
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- GDP - composition, by sector of origin
- agriculture: 7.5% (2023 est.) industry: 39.9% (2023 est.) services: 48.3% (2023 est.) note: figures may not total 100% due to non-allocated consumption not captured in sector-reported data
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Agricultural products
- rice, sugarcane, oranges, vegetables, chicken, cassava, plantains, pineapples, eggs, citrus fruits (2023) note: top ten agricultural products based on tonnage
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Industries
- gold mining, oil, lumber, food processing, fishing
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Industrial production growth rate
- 2.1% (2023 est.) note: annual % change in industrial value added based on constant local currency
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Labor force
- 255,500 (2024 est.) note: number of people ages 15 or older who are employed or seeking work
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Unemployment rate
- 7.4% (2024 est.) 7.7% (2023 est.) 8.2% (2022 est.) note: % of labor force seeking employment
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24)
- total: 24.2% (2024 est.) male: 16.9% (2024 est.) female: 35.9% (2024 est.) note: % of labor force ages 15-24 seeking employment
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income
- 39.2 (2022 est.) note: index (0-100) of income distribution; higher values represent greater inequality
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Household income or consumption by percentage share
- lowest 10%: 2.2% (2022 est.) highest 10%: 30.1% (2022 est.) note: % share of income accruing to lowest and highest 10% of population
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Remittances
- 3.4% of GDP (2024 est.) 4.3% of GDP (2023 est.) 3.9% of GDP (2022 est.) note: personal transfers and compensation between resident and non-resident individuals/households/entities
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Budget
- revenues: $863 million (2019 est.) expenditures: $1.648 billion (2019 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Current account balance
- $9.306 million (2024 est.) $148.118 million (2023 est.) $76.321 million (2022 est.) note: balance of payments - net trade and primary/secondary income in current dollars
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Exports
- $2.793 billion (2024 est.) $2.533 billion (2023 est.) $2.6 billion (2022 est.) note: balance of payments - exports of goods and services in current dollars
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Exports - partners
- Switzerland 49%, UAE 28%, Guyana 5%, USA 4%, France 3% (2023) note: top five export partners based on percentage share of exports
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Exports - commodities
- gold, fish, refined petroleum, wood, tobacco (2023) note: top five export commodities based on value in dollars
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Imports
- $2.571 billion (2024 est.) $2.203 billion (2023 est.) $2.342 billion (2022 est.) note: balance of payments - imports of goods and services in current dollars
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Imports - partners
- USA 22%, China 12%, Netherlands 11%, Trinidad & Tobago 9%, Guyana 8% (2023) note: top five import partners based on percentage share of imports
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Imports - commodities
- refined petroleum, ships, excavation machinery, trucks, tobacco (2023) note: top five import commodities based on value in dollars
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Reserves of foreign exchange and gold
- $1.632 billion (2024 est.) $1.346 billion (2023 est.) $1.195 billion (2022 est.) note: holdings of gold (year-end prices)/foreign exchange/special drawing rights in current dollars
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Debt - external
- $2.645 billion (2023 est.) note: present value of external debt in current US dollars
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Exchange rates
- Surinamese dollars (SRD) per US dollar - 33.181 (2024 est.) 36.776 (2023 est.) 24.709 (2022 est.) 18.239 (2021 est.) 9.31 (2020 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Energy7 fields
- Electricity access
- electrification - total population: 99% (2022 est.) electrification - urban areas: 100% electrification - rural areas: 98%
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Electricity
- installed generating capacity: 537,000 kW (2023 est.) consumption: 1.896 billion kWh (2023 est.) transmission/distribution losses: 245.206 million kWh (2023 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Electricity generation sources
- fossil fuels: 57.1% of total installed capacity (2023 est.) solar: 0.6% of total installed capacity (2023 est.) hydroelectricity: 42% of total installed capacity (2023 est.) biomass and waste: 0.3% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Petroleum
- total petroleum production: 14,000 bbl/day (2023 est.) refined petroleum consumption: 17,000 bbl/day (2023 est.) crude oil estimated reserves: 89 million barrels (2021 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Natural gas
- production: 7.173 million cubic meters (2023 est.) consumption: 6.967 million cubic meters (2023 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Energy consumption per capita
- 60.896 million Btu/person (2023 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Communications6 fields
- Telephones - fixed lines
- total subscriptions: 129,000 (2023 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 20 (2023 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Telephones - mobile cellular
- total subscriptions: 902,000 (2024 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 142 (2024 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Broadcast media
- 2 state-owned TV stations; 1 state-owned radio station; multiple private radio and TV stations (2019)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Internet users
- percent of population: 78% (2023 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Broadband - fixed subscriptions
- total: 125,000 (2022 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 20 (2022 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Transportation5 fields
- Civil aircraft registration country code prefix
- PZ
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Merchant marine
- total: 13 (2023) by type: general cargo 5, oil tanker 3, other 5
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Ports
- total ports: 4 (2024) large: 0 medium: 0 small: 1 very small: 3 ports with oil terminals: 3 key ports: Moengo, Nieuw Nickerie, Paramaribo, Paranam
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Military and Security6 fields
- Military and security forces
- Suriname National Army (Nationaal Leger or NL); Army (Landmacht), Navy (Marine); Air Force (Luchtmacht), Military Police (Korps Militaire Politie) Ministry of Justice and Police: Suriname Police Force (Korps Politie Suriname or KPS) (2026)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Military expenditures
- 1.2% of GDP (2019 est.) 1.1% of GDP (2018 est.) 1.1% of GDP (2017 est.) 1.2% of GDP (2016 est.) 1.4% of GDP (2015 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Military and security service personnel strengths
- approximately 2,000 National Army (2025)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Military equipment inventories and acquisitions
- the Suriname Army has a limited inventory of older or secondhand armaments originating from such suppliers as Brazil, France, the Netherlands, and India (2025)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Military service age and obligation
- 18-28 years of age for voluntary military service for men and women; no conscription (2025)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Military - note
- the National Leger is responsible for defending the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Suriname against foreign aggression; other special tasks include border control and supporting domestic security as required; the military police, for example, have direct responsibility for immigration control at the country’s ports of entry, and the military assists the police in combating crime, particularly narco-trafficking, including joint military and police patrols, as well as joint special security teams; in addition, the military provides aid and assistance during times of natural emergencies and participates in socio-economic development projects (2025)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Transnational Issues1 fields
- Refugees and internally displaced persons
- refugees: 3,241 (2024 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
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