Suriname
Country statistics · 1990–present
Suriname at a Glance
Suriname is home to 634,431 people as of 2024, with a population that is growing rapidly. At a GDP per capita of $18,748, it is an upper-middle-income economy — reflecting a diversifying economy with growing consumer markets. Life expectancy at birth stands at 73.8 years, close to the global average.
Population Trends
The total resident population stood at 634,431 as of 2024. With a birth rate of 17.2 and a death rate of 6.8 per 1,000 people (2024), the natural growth rate stands at 10.3 per 1,000 — equivalent to roughly 7,000 additional residents each year from natural change alone.
Economy & Development
Suriname is a small economy, with a total GDP that is projected at $13 billion (2029 IMF projection). At $18,748 per person, it is classified as an upper-middle-income economy — reflecting a diversifying economy with growing consumer markets. Real GDP growth is projected at 43.5% in 2029, representing strong expansion. The unemployment rate is projected at 7.0% (2029 IMF projection), indicating moderate unemployment.
Health & Society
Life expectancy at birth is 73.8 years (2024), close to the global average. Current health expenditure per person is $297 (2023), representing very low per-capita healthcare spending, a common constraint in lower-income economies. The adult literacy rate stands at 92.9% (2012), reflecting a majority-literate adult population. 87.4% of the population use the internet (2023), indicating strong digital connectivity. Access to safe drinking water reaches 55.8% of the population (2024), representing limited safe drinking water access, a significant public health priority.