Suriname Crime Rate & Safety
Homicide statistics, crime trends, and travel safety for Suriname
US State Department Travel Advisory
Exercise Normal Precautions
Updated December 13, 2024
Suriname recorded 6.5 intentional homicides per 100,000 people in 2023, a rate that is moderate by global standards. That places Suriname #57 of 195 countries by homicide rate, compared with the Americas average of 20.8 per 100,000 and a world average of 5.2. Homicide rates have risen 28% over the past decade (from 5.1 in 2013). For travelers, the US State Department currently rates Suriname at Level 1 of 4: Exercise Normal Precautions.
Homicide Rate
6.5 /100k
Safety Rank
#139 of 195
Travel Advisory
Level 1 of 4
Data Year
2023
Homicide Rate Trend (2000-2023)
Intentional homicides per 100,000 people. Homicide rates have risen 28% over the past decade (from 5.1 in 2013). Source: UNODC via World Bank.
How Suriname Compares
Intentional homicides per 100,000 people, latest available year per country.
Who Is Affected
In Suriname, the homicide rate for men is 4.9× higher than the rate for women — 10.8 vs 2.2 per 100,000 (2023).
Homicide victims per 100,000 of each sex. Source: UNODC via World Bank.
Safety for Travelers
Summary of the current US State Department advisory for Suriname:
Reissued with obsolete COVID-19 page links removed. Exercise normal precautions in Suriname. Read the country information page for additional information on travel to Suriname. If you decide to travel to Suriname: Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive Alerts and make it easier to locate you in an emergency. Follow the Department of State on Facebook and Twitter . Review the Country Security Report for Suriname. Prepare a contingency plan for emergency situations. Review the Traveler's Checklist .
Level 1
Exercise Normal Precautions
Level 2
Exercise Increased Caution
Level 3
Reconsider Travel
Level 4
Do Not Travel
Safety Guidance for Suriname
Practical safety information for visitors, from US State Department country information (last updated September 30, 2022).
Crime
There is limited police presence outside of Paramaribo. Pickpocketing and robbery are common in Paramaribo’s business and shopping districts. Principal concerns include burglary, armed robbery, and home invasions. Avoid wearing expensive jewelry and don’t display large amounts of money in public. Don’t walk alone at night, particularly in the immediate vicinity of major tourist hotels. Avoid the Palm Garden area (“Palmentuin” in Dutch) after dark. Drive with your windows closed and doors locked. Avoid leaving bags, luggage, and valuables in vehicles in plain sight. Avoid travel at night or during periods of potential civil unrest. Be aware of your surroundings and exercise caution when using ATMs. If you plan to travel outside Paramaribo, use a well-established tour company.
International Financial Scams
See the Department of State and the FBI pages for information.
Victims of Crime
Report crimes to the local police by dialing 115. Some operators may not speak English. U.S. citizens may also contact the U.S. Embassy at (+597) 556-700 during business hours or (+597) 710-1112 during evenings and weekends. U.S. citizen victims of sexual assault are encouraged to contact the U.S. Embassy for assistance. Remember that local authorities are responsible for investigating and prosecuting crime. See our webpage on help for U.S. victims of crime overseas .
Domestic Violence
U.S. citizen victims of domestic violence are encouraged to contact the Embassy for assistance. Victims of domestic violence or sexual assault can also contact Suriname’s Victim’s Assistance Office (Bureau Slachtofferzorg) at the Ministry of Justice and Police at (+597) 888-7477. The office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Tourism
The tourism industry is unevenly regulated, and safety inspections for equipment and facilities do not commonly occur. Hazardous areas/activities are not always identified with appropriate signage, and staff may not be trained or certified either by the host government or by recognized authorities in the field. In the event of an injury, appropriate medical treatment is typically available only in/near major cities. First responders are generally unable to access areas outside of major cities and to provide urgent medical treatment. U.S. citizens are encouraged to purchase medical evacuation insurance. See our webpage for more information on insurance providers for overseas coverage
About This Data
Homicide figures are intentional homicides per 100,000 people, compiled by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and published by the World Bank (indicator VC.IHR.PSRC.P5). Homicide is the most reliably comparable crime statistic across countries because definitions of other offences (assault, theft, robbery) vary widely between national legal systems and reporting practices.
Travel advisory levels are issued by the US Department of State and updated continuously. They reflect risks to travelers including crime, terrorism, civil unrest, health, and natural disasters — not only crime rates. Countries report crime data with different lags; the most recent available year is shown for each metric.
Suriname Population & Demographics
Population of 634,431, growth trends, economy, and more.
Crime & Safety in Neighboring Countries
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Suriname safe to visit?
The US State Department rates Suriname at Level 1 of 4 (Exercise Normal Precautions). The homicide rate of 6.5 per 100,000 is moderate by global standards.
What is the crime rate in Suriname?
Suriname has an intentional homicide rate of 6.5 per 100,000 people (2023, World Bank/UNODC), ranking #57 of 195 countries.
What is the US travel advisory level for Suriname?
Suriname is currently at Level 1: Exercise Normal Precautions. Advisory levels range from Level 1 (Exercise Normal Precautions) to Level 4 (Do Not Travel).
How does crime in Suriname compare to other countries?
Suriname's homicide rate of 6.5 per 100,000 is above the world average of 5.2 and below the Americas average of 20.8.