Suriname

Cultural Attributes

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Holidays

• Independence Day

  11/25

  Independence Day

Dates of Interest

• October/November

  Suriname's Javanese community celebrates various cultural events, including Javanese New Year (Suro) and Javanese Independence Day (Hari Kemerdekaan). These celebrations often involve traditional music, dance, and rituals.

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Historical Eras

Overview

Timeline of Key Events

1. 1498

   Christopher Columbus sights the coast of Suriname.

   Christopher Columbus sights the coast of Suriname.

2. 1593

   Spanish explorers visit the area and name it Suriname.

   Spanish explorers visit the area and name it Suriname, after the country’s earliest inhabitants, the Surinen.

3. 1651

   First permanent European settlement in Suriname.

   First permanent European settlement in Suriname, established by the British at Paramaribo by Lord Francis Willoughby.

4. 1667

   British cede their part of Suriname to the Netherlands .

   British cede their part of Suriname to the Netherlands in exchange for New Amsterdam (later called New York City).

5. 1682

   Coffee and sugar cane plantations established and worked by African slaves.

   Coffee and sugar cane plantations established and worked by African slaves.

6. 1799 – 1802

   British rule reimposed.

   British rule reimposed.

7. 1804 – 1816

   British rule reimposed.

   British rule reimposed.

Religion

Languages Spoken

• Dutch

Population

Population

623,236

Population in Major Urban Areas

PARAMARIBO (capital) 278,000

Nationality Noun

Surinamer(s)

Ethnic Groups

Hindustani (also known locally as ""East Indians""; their ancestors emigrated from northern India in the latter part of the 19th century) 37%, Creole (mixed white and black) 31%, Javanese 15%, ""Maroons"" (their African ancestors were brought to the count

Education

Literacy Definition

age 15 and over can read and write

Health Information

Life Expectancy at Birth

Life expectancy at birth in Suriname currently stands at approximately 72 to 74 years for the overall population, with notable differences between sexes. Women in Suriname can expect to live to around 75 to 77 years, while men have a somewhat shorter life expectancy of approximately 70 to 71 years. This gap reflects broader global patterns in which biological and behavioral factors contribute to women outliving men in most countries. Over the past several decades, Suriname has made steady progress in improving life expectancy. In the early 1970s, the average life expectancy hovered closer to the low 60s, meaning that gains of more than a decade have been achieved through improvements in healthcare infrastructure, access to clean water, sanitation, and vaccination programs. Despite this progress, Suriname faces persistent health challenges that continue to influence life expectancy outcomes. Non-communicable diseases such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and hypertension are among the leading causes of premature death. The country also contends with relatively high rates of obesity and limited access to specialized medical care, particularly in the interior regions where indigenous and Maroon communities live in remote areas far from the capital, Paramaribo. Residents of these inland communities often face significantly reduced access to hospitals and clinics compared to those living along the coastal urban strip. Suriname's healthcare system, while functional in urban areas, remains stretched in terms of resources and medical personnel. The country relies on regional cooperation and international partnerships to address gaps in services such as oncology, advanced cardiac care, and mental health treatment. Infectious diseases, including malaria, which remains present in forested interior zones, also continue to pose health risks that can affect longevity among vulnerable populations. Vector-borne illnesses and limited preventive care infrastructure in rural areas compound these risks, particularly for children and the elderly. Compared to regional neighbors, Suriname's life expectancy is broadly in line with many other South American and Caribbean nations, though it lags behind countries with stronger healthcare investments and more equitable distribution of services. Continued development in rural healthcare access, disease prevention, and nutrition programs will be key factors in determining whether Suriname can extend average life expectancy further in the coming decades.

Major Infectious Diseases — degree of risk

very high

Infant Mortality Rate

Suriname's infant mortality rate reflects the country's ongoing challenges in healthcare access, particularly in its remote interior regions. As of recent estimates, Suriname's infant mortality rate stands at approximately 16 to 18 deaths per 1,000 live births, a figure that places it in a moderate range compared to other South American nations but still significantly above the averages seen in more developed countries. The country's geography plays a central role in these statistics. Suriname's vast rainforest interior, which covers roughly 80 percent of the national territory, is sparsely populated by Indigenous and Maroon communities that often have limited access to hospitals, trained midwives, and essential medical supplies. Neonatal complications, respiratory infections, diarrheal diseases, and malnutrition are among the leading contributors to infant deaths in these underserved areas. In contrast, urban centers such as the capital Paramaribo offer considerably better healthcare infrastructure, including modern hospitals and trained obstetric staff. This urban-rural divide creates a stark disparity in health outcomes for newborns across different parts of the country. The government of Suriname, in partnership with international organizations such as UNICEF and PAHO, has worked to improve maternal and child health services through vaccination campaigns, community health worker programs, and outreach to interior communities. These efforts have contributed to a gradual decline in infant mortality rates over the past two decades, down from rates exceeding 30 deaths per 1,000 live births in the early 2000s. Despite this progress, structural barriers remain. Poverty, inadequate sanitation, and shortages of skilled health personnel continue to pose risks for infants, especially in the first 28 days of life — the neonatal period, which accounts for the majority of infant deaths globally. Continued investment in rural healthcare infrastructure and maternal health education remains critical to further reducing infant mortality across Suriname.

Life Expectancy

Life Expectancy at Birth

Life expectancy at birth in Suriname currently stands at approximately 72 to 74 years for the overall population, with notable differences between sexes. Women in Suriname can expect to live to around 75 to 77 years, while men have a somewhat shorter life expectancy of approximately 70 to 71 years. This gap reflects broader global patterns in which biological and behavioral factors contribute to women outliving men in most countries. Over the past several decades, Suriname has made steady progress in improving life expectancy. In the early 1970s, the average life expectancy hovered closer to the low 60s, meaning that gains of more than a decade have been achieved through improvements in healthcare infrastructure, access to clean water, sanitation, and vaccination programs. Despite this progress, Suriname faces persistent health challenges that continue to influence life expectancy outcomes. Non-communicable diseases such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and hypertension are among the leading causes of premature death. The country also contends with relatively high rates of obesity and limited access to specialized medical care, particularly in the interior regions where indigenous and Maroon communities live in remote areas far from the capital, Paramaribo. Residents of these inland communities often face significantly reduced access to hospitals and clinics compared to those living along the coastal urban strip. Suriname's healthcare system, while functional in urban areas, remains stretched in terms of resources and medical personnel. The country relies on regional cooperation and international partnerships to address gaps in services such as oncology, advanced cardiac care, and mental health treatment. Infectious diseases, including malaria, which remains present in forested interior zones, also continue to pose health risks that can affect longevity among vulnerable populations. Vector-borne illnesses and limited preventive care infrastructure in rural areas compound these risks, particularly for children and the elderly. Compared to regional neighbors, Suriname's life expectancy is broadly in line with many other South American and Caribbean nations, though it lags behind countries with stronger healthcare investments and more equitable distribution of services. Continued development in rural healthcare access, disease prevention, and nutrition programs will be key factors in determining whether Suriname can extend average life expectancy further in the coming decades.

Infant Mortality Rate

Suriname's infant mortality rate reflects the country's ongoing challenges in healthcare access, particularly in its remote interior regions. As of recent estimates, Suriname's infant mortality rate stands at approximately 16 to 18 deaths per 1,000 live births, a figure that places it in a moderate range compared to other South American nations but still significantly above the averages seen in more developed countries. The country's geography plays a central role in these statistics. Suriname's vast rainforest interior, which covers roughly 80 percent of the national territory, is sparsely populated by Indigenous and Maroon communities that often have limited access to hospitals, trained midwives, and essential medical supplies. Neonatal complications, respiratory infections, diarrheal diseases, and malnutrition are among the leading contributors to infant deaths in these underserved areas. In contrast, urban centers such as the capital Paramaribo offer considerably better healthcare infrastructure, including modern hospitals and trained obstetric staff. This urban-rural divide creates a stark disparity in health outcomes for newborns across different parts of the country. The government of Suriname, in partnership with international organizations such as UNICEF and PAHO, has worked to improve maternal and child health services through vaccination campaigns, community health worker programs, and outreach to interior communities. These efforts have contributed to a gradual decline in infant mortality rates over the past two decades, down from rates exceeding 30 deaths per 1,000 live births in the early 2000s. Despite this progress, structural barriers remain. Poverty, inadequate sanitation, and shortages of skilled health personnel continue to pose risks for infants, especially in the first 28 days of life — the neonatal period, which accounts for the majority of infant deaths globally. Continued investment in rural healthcare infrastructure and maternal health education remains critical to further reducing infant mortality across Suriname.

Country Identity

Country Name

Suriname

Full Country Name

Republic of Suriname

Local - Long

Republiek Suriname

Local - Short

Suriname

Former Name

Netherlands Guiana, Dutch Guiana

Government Structure

Government Type

constitutional democracy

Legal System

based on Dutch legal system incorporating French penal theory

Executive Branch

chief of state: President Chan Santokhi (since 16 July 2020); Vice President Ronnie Brunswijk (since 16 July 2020); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: President Chan Santokhi (since 16 July 2020); Vice President Ronnie Brunswijk (since 16 July 2020); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government cabinet: Cabinet of Ministers appointed by the president elections: president and vice president elected by the National Assembly or, if no presidential or vice presidential candidate receives a two-thirds constitutional majority in the National Assembly after two votes, by a simple majority in the larger United People's Assembly (893 representatives from the national, local, and regional councils), for five-year terms; election last held on 25 May 2020 (next to be held in 2025) election results: Chan Santokhi elected president unopposed by the National Assembly on 13 July 2020; Santokhi's Progressive Reform Party had won a majority in the May 2020 parliamentary elections, allowing the National Assembly to elect him directly without requiring a vote in the United People's Assembly

Legislative Branch

unicameral National Assembly or Nationale Assemblee (51 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: last held 25 May 2020 (next to be held in 2025) election results: percent of vote by party - VHP 27.45%, NDP 22.35%, ABOP 17.65%, NPS 12.55%, PL 9.80%, other 10.20%; seats by party - VHP 20, NDP 16, ABOP 9, NPS 3, PL 2, other 1

Judicial Branch

Cantonal Courts and a Court of Justice as an appellate court (justices are nominated for life)

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Constitution

ratified 30 September 1987

Independence

25 November 1975 (from Netherlands)

National Holiday

Independence Day, 25 November (1975)

Capital City

Capital Name

Paramaribo

Capital - geographic coordinate

5 50 N, 55 10 W

Capital Time Difference

UTC-3 (2 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

Military

Branches: Suriname Armed Forces: Ground Forces, Naval Forces, Air Forces

Embassy / Diplomatic Mission

Snapshot

Currency Name and Code

Suriname Guilder (SRG)

GDP — official exchange rate

$1,130,000,000 (USD)

GDP Real Growth Rate

2.3%