Suriname profile

Demography and Health

Suriname's population was about 634,431 in 2024, placing it among smaller populations worldwide (rank 168). The country exhibits a birth rate of 17.3 per 1,000 people (2023) and a crude death rate of 6.65 per 1,000 (2023), suggesting a modest natural increase and a relatively stable demographic structure. Life expectancy at birth is 73.6 years (2023), and the under-5 mortality rate stands at 16.2 per 1,000 live births (2023), pointing to ongoing challenges in child health. The prevalence of undernourishment was 10.1% of the population in 2022, highlighting nutrition vulnerabilities for a portion of people. Net migration in 2024 was negative by 1,166 people, which, with a small population base, can influence the age structure and labor supply over time. Health financing appears moderate: current health expenditure is 5.92% of GDP (2022), and government health expenditure per capita (PPP) is 683 international dollars (2022), while the physician density is 1.48 per 1,000 people (2021). A notable public health concern is the suicide mortality rate of 22.3 per 100,000 people (2021), ranked very high (7th), underscoring the importance of mental health services and social support networks. Internet usage is relatively widespread, with 78.4% of the population online in 2023, enabling access to information, telemedicine, and digital health resources. Taken together, these indicators reflect a population with decent longevity and connectivity but facing persistent nutrition, child health, and mental health challenges, alongside a healthcare system that could be stretched given the population size and resource constraints.

Economy

Economically, Suriname recorded a GDP per capita of about 7,431 current US$ in 2024, with a GDP per capita in PPP terms of roughly 22,067 international US$, signaling a moderate standard of living when adjusted for purchasing power. Inflation stood at 16.2% in 2024, indicating significant macroeconomic volatility and potential erosion of real incomes. The energy mix shows renewable energy comprising 14.5% of total final energy consumption in 2021, suggesting some diversification toward cleaner sources but still a heavy reliance on fossil fuel-linked dynamics. Suriname’s current account balance was 0.197% of GDP in 2024, implying a broadly balanced external position in the near term. Foreign direct investment net inflows are negative at -0.797% of GDP (2024), signaling limited inflows of foreign capital and possible outflows or repatriation, which can constrain investment-driven growth. Total greenhouse gas emissions per capita are 5.94 tonnes CO2e (2023), a moderate footprint consistent with a small economy with resource extraction activities. The population size and income level collectively point to a small, dynamic economy with potential but vulnerable to external shocks and policy missteps, especially in a high-inflation environment.

Trade and Investment

Suriname’s external sector shows a near-balance in the current account, with a positive 0.197% of GDP in 2024, suggesting that trade and financial flows have not resulted in a large external imbalance in the short term. However, foreign direct investment net inflows are negative (-0.797% of GDP in 2024), indicating limited capital formation from foreign sources and potential challenges in attracting sustainable investment. The presence of high-technology exports totaling about 5.3 million USD in 2023 points to a nascent but real capacity for specialized production, albeit currently at a modest scale relative to peers. Digital connectivity remains a positive signal, with 78.4% of the population using the Internet in 2023, creating a platform for digital services, e-commerce, and potential knowledge-based trade to complement traditional exports. Overall, Suriname’s trade and investment landscape suggests a small, export-diversified economy that could benefit from a more supportive investment climate, stronger governance, and targeted sector development to translate connectivity into higher value-added trade.

Governance and Institutions

Suriname’s governance indicators are mixed and reveal notable weaknesses alongside pockets of stability. Political stability and absence of violence/terrorism score 0.413 in 2023, with a rank of 75, indicating a moderate level of political steadiness relative to comparators. By contrast, regulatory quality is deeply negative at -0.728 (rank 152), and government effectiveness is particularly low at -0.967 (rank 166), signaling substantial capacity constraints in policy design and public administration. The rule of law sits near neutral at -0.0623 (rank 94), while control of corruption is modest at -0.404 (rank 115). This constellation suggests that, despite some political continuity, the governance framework struggles with policy implementation, enforcement, and anti-corruption performance, which can impede investment, public service delivery, and the efficiency of state institutions. Strengthening governance—particularly regulatory quality and government effectiveness—could unlock investment, improve service outcomes, and support more resilient economic development.

Infrastructure and Technology

Suriname benefits from relatively high digital connectivity, with 78.4% of the population using the Internet in 2023, supporting digital services, education, and economic activity. The country reports high-technology exports of about 5.3 million USD in 2023, signaling an emerging but limited high-tech sector in the economy. The health sector shows a workforce density of 1.48 physicians per 1,000 people in 2021, and public health expenditure per capita (PPP) stands at 683 international dollars (2022), reflecting ongoing investment in health but a need to expand capacity to improve access and outcomes. Renewable energy accounts for 14.5% of total final energy consumption (2021), indicating some diversification of energy sources but substantial room to grow sustainable power generation. Taken together, Suriname’s infrastructure and technology profile points to meaningful digital engagement and a developing technology base, but also to constraints in health workforce capacity and energy infrastructure that could limit industrial competitiveness unless addressed through targeted investments and policy reforms.

Environment and Sustainability

Environmentally, Suriname faces a combination of vulnerability and opportunity. The prevalence of undernourishment at 10.1% (2022) highlights ongoing food-security concerns that deserve continued attention from social and agricultural policy. Freshwater withdrawal as a share of available resources—level of water stress—is 3.95% (2021), indicating relatively low stress on water resources currently, though climate variability and growing demand could alter this in the future. Per capita greenhouse gas emissions are 5.94 tCO2e (2023), placing Suriname in a moderate emissions tier for a small economy. Renewable energy accounts for 14.5% of total final energy consumption (2021), underscoring progress toward cleaner energy but signaling substantial potential to expand renewables, increase energy security, and reduce vulnerability to external energy price swings. Together, these indicators suggest that Suriname has opportunities to pursue sustainable growth through investments in nutrition security, water management, and a broader shift toward renewable energy while building resilience against climate risks and unequal development pressures.