Economy — Suriname
GDP, employment, industries, public finance, and currency.
Profile updated 2026-06-02
⚡ Economy at a glance
GDP, employment, industries, public finance, and currency. Key figure for Suriname: Economic overview of Suriname: Economy and GDP: Suriname's economy is classified as an upper-middle-income economy. Its GDP (Gross Domestic Product) is primarily driven by the extractive industries, including mining and oil production. Other important sectors include agriculture, manufacturing, construction, and s…
Immigration rules and fees change frequently — confirm current requirements on official government or embassy websites.
Economic overview
- Economic Overview
Economic overview of Suriname: Economy and GDP: Suriname's economy is classified as an upper-middle-income economy.
Its GDP (Gross Domestic Product) is primarily driven by the extractive industries, including mining and oil production.
Other important sectors include agriculture, manufacturing, construction, and services.
Natural Resources: Suriname is rich in natural resources, including bauxite, gold, oil, and hardwood forests.
These resources play a significant role in the country's economy, attracting foreign investments and generating export revenues.
Mining Sector: Suriname has a well-developed mining sector, with bauxite being its most significant mineral export.
Bauxite mining and alumina production are key contributors to the country's economy and provide employment opportunities.
Gold mining is also a prominent industry, with Suriname being one of the top gold producers in South America.
Oil and Energy Sector: Suriname has recently emerged as an oil-producing nation.
Significant offshore oil discoveries have led to the development of oil fields, attracting international oil companies and investment.
The oil sector has the potential to significantly impact Suriname's economy in the coming years.
Agriculture: Agriculture plays an important role in Suriname's economy, employing a significant portion of the population.
Key agricultural products include rice, bananas, citrus fruits, vegetables, and shrimp.
The government has made efforts to promote sustainable agriculture and expand export opportunities for agricultural products.
Services Sector: The services sector is an important contributor to Suriname's economy.
It encompasses a wide range of activities, including trade, transportation, finance, tourism, and telecommunications.
The government has been focusing on diversifying the services sector to reduce reliance on extractive industries.
Infrastructure and Investment: Suriname has been investing in infrastructure development to support economic growth.
Improvements in transportation, energy, telecommunications, and ports are crucial for attracting investments, enhancing trade, and fostering economic development.
Challenges: Suriname faces several economic challenges, including high public debt, inflation, and unemployment.
The country is working towards fiscal consolidation, promoting sustainable economic growth, and attracting foreign investment through policy reforms and initiatives.
Regional Integration: Suriname is a member of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) and the Union of South American Nations (UNASUR).
Regional integration and cooperation play a role in facilitating trade, investment, and economic development in Suriname.
- Industries
bauxite and gold mining, alumina production, oil, lumbering, food processing, fishing
- GDP - per capita (PPP)
$16,700.00 (USD)
- GDP - real growth rate
1.5%
GDP & growth
- GDP - Gross Domestic Product (PPP)
$9,460,000,000 (USD)
- GDP Per Capita
$16,700.00 (USD)
- GDP - real growth rate
1.5%
- GDP - official exchange rate
$5,050,000,000 (USD)
- GDP - composition, by end use
- household consumption: 52%
- government consumption: 11.2%
- investment in fixed capital: 11.9%
- investment in inventories: 26.5%
- exports of goods and services: 24.2%
- imports of goods and services: -25.8%
- GDP by Sector- agriculture
6.2%
- GDP by Sector- Industry
48.7%
- GDP by Sector- services
45.1%
- Industrial Growth Rate
6.5%
Prices & money
- Inflation Rate
6.4%
- Exchange Rate per US Dollar
Surinamese Dollar (SRD)
- Currency Name and Code
Suriname Guilder (SRG)
- Fiscal Year
calendar year
- Commercial Bank Prime Lending Rate
12%
Employment & labor
- Labor Force
165,600
- Unemployment Rate
9.5%
- Major Industries
bauxite and gold mining, alumina production, oil, lumbering, food processing, fishing
- Agriculture Products
- paddy rice, bananas, palm kernels, coconuts, plantains, peanuts
- beef, chickens
- forest products
- shrimp
- Population Below Poverty Line
70%
- Child Labor - # of children ages 5-14
6,094
- Child Labor - % of children ages 5-14
6%
Public finance
- Annual Budget
$392,600,000 (USD)
- Budget Surplus or Deficit - percent of GDP
-2.3%
- Taxes and other revenues - percent of GDP
16.5%