Suriname
Republic of Suriname
Current Population (Live)
Annual Growth Rate: +0.88%
Situated in South America, Suriname has a population of approximately 616.5k—a modestly sized nation in population terms. The country extends across 163,820 km², translating to a density of 4.0 people per km². Its capital is Paramaribo, and Dutch is the official language, while the Surinamese dollar serves as the national currency.
Population
616,500
Area
163,820 km²
Density
4/km²
World Rank
#171
Population Trend (1960-2050)
Historical data from 1960 to present with projections to 2050.
Annual Growth Rate by Period
Population growth has effectively stalled at 0% annually, suggesting the country is approaching or has reached a demographic plateau. Births occur at 17.3 per thousand against deaths at 6.7 per thousand, yielding a moderate natural surplus. The age distribution is relatively balanced, with 25.6% of residents under 15 and 7.9% over 65.
General Information
- Capital
- Paramaribo
- Region
- Americas
- Subregion
- South America
- Continent
- South America
- Languages
- Dutch
- Currencies
- Surinamese dollar ($)
- Calling Code
- +597
- Top-Level Domain
- .sr
- Landlocked
- No
- UN Member
- Yes
- Timezones
- UTC-03:00
Population Details
- Total Population
- 616,500
- Land Area
- 163,820 km²
- Population Density
- 4 per km²
- Annual Growth Rate
- +0.88%
- Annual Growth
- +5,425 people
- Daily Growth
- +15 people
- World Population Share
- 0.01%
- Coordinates
- 4.00°, -56.00°
Global Population Share
Demographics & Economy
GDP per capita stands at approximately $7k, placing the economy in the upper-middle-income category—below the global average of $12.5k. Unemployment sits at 7.8%, above the global average of 5.8%. The Gini index of 39.2 indicates a moderate level of income inequality.
Life Expectancy
73.6 years
GDP per Capita
$6,962
Birth Rate
17.3 per 1,000
Death Rate
6.7 per 1,000
Urban Population
65.8%
Fertility Rate
2.25 births/woman
Infant Mortality
15.2 per 1,000
Unemployment
7.8%
Literacy Rate
92.9%
Internet Users
78.4%
Under 15
25.6%
Over 65
7.9%
Health Spending
5.4% GDP
Gini Index
39.2
Age Distribution
0-14 years
158K
15-64 years
410K
65+ years
49K
Urbanization
Urbanization is well advanced, with roughly 65.8% of the population residing in towns and cities, above the global mean of 56%. Paramaribo serves as the administrative heart of the country and concentrates much of its commercial and civic life. Extremely low population density means that settlements are widely dispersed, raising logistical hurdles for infrastructure and public service delivery.
405,410
65.8%
211,090
34.2%
Health & Education Indicators
Average life expectancy of 73.6 years is roughly in line with the global benchmark of 72.8. Infant mortality stands at 15.2 per thousand live births, somewhat higher than the global average. The literacy rate of 92.9% is roughly in line with the world average, reflecting the current state of educational investment.
Life Expectancy
World avg: 72.8
Fertility Rate
World avg: 2.3
Infant Mortality
World avg: 27.5
Literacy Rate
World avg: 86.7
Internet Users
World avg: 63
Major Cities in Suriname
Suriname has 1 cities with a population over 100,000. Click on markers to see details.
Population Projections (2026-2050)
Near-zero growth suggests that Suriname is entering a period of demographic stability—or, depending on policy responses, the early stages of decline. As a United Nations member state, Suriname participates in global discussions on sustainable development that will shape its demographic future.
| Year | Projected Population |
|---|---|
| 2026 | 616,500 |
| 2030 | 638,342 |
| 2035 | 666,422 |
| 2040 | 695,422 |
| 2045 | 725,402 |
| 2050 | 756,421 |
Population History (1960-2026)
Year-by-year population data, growth rates, and trends for Suriname.
Largest Cities in Suriname
Explore the biggest cities and urban centers in Suriname by population.
Neighboring Countries
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Suriname?
The population of Suriname is approximately 616,500 as of 2026, making it #171 in the world by population.
What is the capital of Suriname?
The capital of Suriname is Paramaribo.
What languages are spoken in Suriname?
The main languages spoken in Suriname are Dutch.
How big is Suriname?
Suriname covers an area of 163,820 km² with a population density of 4 people per km².
Is Suriname growing or shrinking?
Suriname is growing at a rate of 0.88% per year, adding approximately 5,425 people annually.
What is the life expectancy in Suriname?
The average life expectancy in Suriname is 73.6 years.
What is the GDP per capita of Suriname?
The GDP per capita of Suriname is $6,962.