Country Profile: Suriname

Suriname is a small yet diverse nation located in Northern South America, bordered by the North Atlantic Ocean, French Guiana, and Guyana. With a population of approximately 646,758, it is the smallest independent country on the continent, characterized by its lush tropical rainforests. The economy is classified as upper middle-income, heavily reliant on the export of aluminum goods, gold, and hydrocarbons. Suriname operates as a presidential republic, with a history marked by colonial influences and a transition to democracy in the late 20th century.

Geography

Suriname is situated in Northern South America, with its geographic coordinates at 4°N and 56°W. The country spans an area of 163,820 sq km, making it slightly larger than the state of Georgia. The terrain consists primarily of rolling hills and a narrow coastal plain, with a coastline extending 386 km. It is endowed with abundant natural resources, including timber, bauxite, and gold.

91.7% of the land is forested (2023).
Suriname has a tropical climate, moderated by trade winds.
The highest point is Juliana Top at 1,230 m elevation.

People and Society

Suriname's population is estimated at 646,758 (2024), with a relatively balanced gender distribution. The nation is ethnically diverse, with significant groups such as Hindustani (27.4%), Maroon (21.7%), and Creole (15.7%). Dutch is the official language, while Sranang Tongo is widely spoken among the youth. The country exhibits a mix of religious beliefs including Protestantism (23.6%) and Hinduism (22.3%).

The median age is 32 years (2024).
66.4% of the population resides in urban areas (2023).
The life expectancy is 72.7 years (2024).

Economy

Suriname's economy is classified as upper middle-income and relies significantly on the export of gold, aluminum goods, and hydrocarbons. The GDP in purchasing power parity (PPP) is projected to reach $12.316 billion in 2024, with a growth rate of 2.8%. However, the nation faces economic challenges, including high inflation rates and a new IMF fiscal sustainability plan.

The unemployment rate stands at 7.4% (2024).
Agricultural sector contributes 7.5% to GDP (2023).
Gold mining and oil are key industries.

Government

Suriname is a presidential republic, currently led by President Jennifer Geerlings-Simons, who took office on July 16, 2025. The country has a unicameral legislature, the National Assembly, comprising 51 members elected through proportional representation. The capital city is Paramaribo, home to a diverse populace and significant cultural heritage.

The latest constitution was ratified on September 30, 1987.
Suffrage is granted to citizens aged 18 and older.
Suriname became independent from the Netherlands on November 25, 1975.

Military and Security

The Suriname National Army is responsible for national defense and security, comprising approximately 2,000 personnel as of 2025. There is no conscription; however, both men and women are eligible for voluntary military service starting at age 18. The military also aids in law enforcement and domestic security responsibilities.

Military expenditures accounted for 1.2% of GDP (2019).
The army utilizes a mix of older weaponry sourced from various countries, including Brazil and the Netherlands.

Energy

With 99% of the population having access to electricity by 2022, Suriname's energy sector is largely dependent on fossil fuels and hydropower. The installed generating capacity is 537,000 kW, with hydroelectricity contributing 42% of total capacity.

Total petroleum production is 14,000 bbl/day (2023).
Electricity consumption reached 1.896 billion kWh (2023).

Environment

Suriname's environmental challenges include deforestation and pollution stemming from small-scale mining activities. The country is actively engaged in various international environmental agreements, including the Paris Agreement. The land use is predominantly forested, accounting for 91.7% of total land area.

16.9% of municipal solid waste is recycled (2022).
Total renewable water resources estimated at 99 billion cubic meters (2022).

Transportation

Suriname is served by 55 airports and maintains a merchant marine fleet of 13 vessels as of 2023. The road and transportation network primarily connects urban areas along the northern coast.

Key ports include Moengo and Paramaribo, with 3 oil terminals.
The country has 1 heliport and 4 major ports as of 2024.

Communications

Suriname's communication infrastructure includes a wide access to mobile and internet services. As of 2023, around 78% of the population uses the internet and there are approximately 989,000 mobile cellular subscriptions.

Fixed-line telephone subscriptions total 129,000 (2023).
125,000 fixed broadband subscriptions were recorded in 2022.

Key Metrics

Metric	Value	Note
Population	646,758	2024 estimate
Area	163,820 sq km
GDP (PPP)	$12.316 billion	2024 estimate
Unemployment Rate	7.4%	2024 estimate
Life Expectancy	72.7 years	2024 estimate
Birth Rate	14.9 births/1,000 population	2024 estimate
Energy Consumption per Capita	60.896 million Btu/person	2023 estimate
Electricity Access	99%	2022 estimate
Military Personnel	~2,000	2025 estimate
Inflation Rate	16.2%	2024 estimate