Suriname
South America · South America
Dutch-speaking corner of South America: vast rainforest, multicultural Paramaribo.
At a Glance
📈Suriname's Human Development Index
0.690
Medium human development#122 of 191 countries worldwide, #12 of 12 in South America.
Higher than 36% of countries with data. UNDP Human Development Report.
UNDP builds the index from three dimensions: a long and healthy life, being knowledgeable, and a decent standard of living. They are measured by life expectancy at birth, mean and expected years of schooling, and gross national income per capita.
Closest indicators in this dataset
World Bank, own vintages. UNDP’s own component values are not carried here, so these are related measures rather than the index inputs.
Nearest countries by HDI
Full HDI ranking, all 191 countries →Suriname
Suriname is a small South American country on the Atlantic coast with the largest share of Amazonian rainforest per capita of any nation, a capital in Paramaribo with a UNESCO World Heritage wooden colonial architecture, and a cultural mix of Creole, Hindustani, Javanese, Maroon, and Amerindian communities that is unlike anywhere else in the Americas. The interior jungle is accessible by river and genuinely wild. Those drawn to biodiversity, unusual history, and true cultural plurality will find it fascinating.
- Most ethnically diverse country in South America — descended from African, Indian, Javanese, and indigenous populations.
- Only Dutch-speaking country in South America.
Quick Facts
Capital
Paramaribo
Language
Dutch
Currency
$ SRD
Area
160,508 km²
Nomad Hub
Fixed Broadband
49Mbps
Mobile
58Mbps
GDP / Capita
$7K
PPP / Capita
$23K
Inflation
9.2%
Unemployment
7.8%
GNI / Capita
$6K
FDI Inflows
45.1%
Education Spend
2.9%
Cost of Living
42.3
Price Level Index
82nd pct
20-Year Trend + IMF Forecast
Income & inflation over time
HDI since 2004
0.667 → 0.690 (+0.023)Year by year →UNDP Human Development Report, 2023-24 edition. 19 annual values, none interpolated; hover any point for its year.
Twenty years here
Year by year →The world report →World Bank observations, first to last available year per indicator (roughly 2005–2024; each series has its own window).
Thinking about Suriname for real?
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💬Quick answers
What is Suriname's Human Development Index?
Suriname's Human Development Index is 0.690 (UNDP Human Development Report), ranked #122 of 191 countries.
How expensive is Suriname?
Numbeo's cost-of-living index puts Suriname at 42.3 (New York = 100); that is #75 cheapest of 143 countries with data.
What is life expectancy in Suriname?
Life expectancy at birth in Suriname is 73.8 yrs (World Bank), ranked #99 of 195 countries.