People and Society of Suriname

Nationality

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

Population

623,236

Population in Major Urban Areas

PARAMARIBO (capital) 278,000

Medical care, including emergency medical care, is limited in many areas and does not meet U.S. standards. There is one public emergency room in Paramaribo, and only a small ambulance fleet providing emergency transport with limited first response capabilities. The emergency room has no neurosurgeon, and other medical specialists may not always be available. In general, hospital facilities are not air conditioned, although private rooms with individual air conditioning are available at extra cost and on a space-available basis. Emergency medical care outside Paramaribo is limited, and is virtually non-existent in the interior of the country. The yellow fever vaccine is recommended for all travelers over 9 months of age. Rabies risk is present; all dog and bat bites or scratches should be taken seriously and post-exposure prophylaxis sought. Insect precautions are recommended. Due to the presence of Schistosomiasis in some of the freshwater bodies, avoidance of freshwater exposure is recommended.

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.

Major Infectious Diseases

very high

Literacy Definition

age 15 and over can read and write

• Hindu27.4%
• Protestant (predominantly Moravian)25.2%
• Roman Catholic22.8%
• Muslim19.6%
• indigenous beliefs5.0%

Dutch (official), English (widely spoken), Sranang Tongo (Surinamese, sometimes called Taki-Taki, is native language of Creoles and much of the younger population and is lingua franca among others), Hindustani (a dialect of Hindi), Javanese

• Dutch

Crime Information

Criminal activity throughout the country has shown a slight increase since September 2010 and travelers, including U.S. citizens, may be viewed as targets of opportunity. Burglary, armed robbery, and violent crime occur with some frequency in Paramaribo and in outlying areas. Pick-pocketing and robbery are common in the major business and shopping districts of the capital. Visitors should avoid wearing expensive or flashy jewelry and should not display large amounts of money in public. There have been several reports of criminal incidents in the vicinity of the major tourist hotels. Night walks, outside the immediate vicinity of the hotels, are not recommended, especially if you are alone. Visitors should specifically avoid the Palm Garden area (“Palmentuin” in Dutch) after dark, as there is no police presence and it is commonly the site of criminal activity. Theft from vehicles is infrequent, but does occur, especially in areas near the business district. Drivers are cautioned not to leave packages and other belongings in plain view in their vehicles. There have been a few reports of carjackings within Paramaribo, mainly in residential areas. When driving, car windows should be closed and doors locked. The use of public minibuses is discouraged, due to widespread unsafe driving and poor maintenance. Taxis in Suriname are not clearly identified; they do not display the “Taxi” sign. As there are no meters in the taxis, you should verify the price before entering the taxi. The Embassy recommends that you use hotel concierge taxis. Travel to the interior is usually trouble-free, but there have been reports of tourists being robbed. Police presence outside Paramaribo is minimal, and banditry and lawlessness are occasionally of concern in the cities of Albina and Moengo, and the district of Brokopondo, as well as along the East-West Highway between Paramaribo and Albina, and the Afobakka Highway in the district of Para. There have been reports of attempted and actual carjackings committed by gangs along the East-West Highway. If you plan on traveling to the interior, you are advised to make use of well-established tour companies for a safer experience. Don’t buy counterfeit and pirated goods, even if they are widely available. Not only are the bootlegs illegal in the United States, you may be breaking local law.

Criminal Penalties

While you are traveling in Suriname, you are subject to its laws even if you are a U.S. citizen. Foreign laws and legal systems can be vastly different than our own. In Suriname you may be taken in for questioning if you don’t have your passport with you. In some places, it is illegal to take pictures of certain buildings, particularly government buildings. In some places driving under the influence could land you immediately in jail. If suspected of driving under the influence and caught in an accident, the Surinamese Police may not be able to measure the alcohol level on the scene; they will take you to the nearest medical center to measure blood alcohol content. You will be held by the police for up to six hours until the results of your blood alcohol content are determined. There are also some things that might be legal in the country you visit, but still illegal in the United States. You can be prosecuted under U.S. law if you buy pirated goods. Engaging in sexual conduct with children or using or disseminating child pornography in Suriname is a crime, which is also prosecutable in the United States. If you break local laws in Suriname, your U.S. passport won’t help you avoid arrest or prosecution. It’s very important to know what’s legal and what’s not where you are going. Based on the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations, bilateral agreements with certain countries, and customary international law, if you are arrested in Suriname, you have the option to request that the police, prison officials, or other authorities alert the nearest U.S. Embassy, which for Suriname is located in the capital city, Paramaribo.