Quick facts
Suriname population overview
Suriname is the 12th most populous of 14 countries and territories in South America. The United Nations put the population at 643,394 on 1 January 2026; with an annual growth rate of +0.8% the live estimate on this page rises by roughly 15 people per day.
Over a full year that means about 10,809 births (16.8 per 1,000 people) and 4,504 deaths (7 per 1,000), and net emigration of roughly 965 people. The infant mortality rate is 10.3 per 1,000 live births.
World Bank data show the population grew from 263,918 in 1960 to 639,850 in 2025 — a change of +142.4%, or +1.4% per year on average. The population is at its all-time high today.
Demographically, the median age is 28.9 years; life expectancy at birth is 74 years; women have on average 2.2 children (2024, above the 2.1 replacement level); 25.3% of residents are under 15 and 8.2% are 65 or older (2025); 65.8% of people live in urban areas (2025).
The capital is Paramaribo. Suriname covers 163,820 km², giving a population density of about 4 people per km². GDP was $4.52B in 2025 — about $7,070 per person (World Bank classification: upper middle income).
Suriname population statistics (2026)
| Population (live, October 2026) | 647,652 |
|---|---|
| UN estimate, 1 Jan 2026 | 643,394 |
| World rank | #170 of 238 |
| Rank in South America | #12 of 14 |
| Share of world population | 0.008% |
| Annual growth rate | +0.8% |
| Births per year est. | 10,809 |
| Deaths per year est. | 4,504 |
| Net migration per year est. | -965 |
| Birth rate | 16.8 per 1,000 |
| Death rate | 7 per 1,000 |
| Infant mortality | 10.3 per 1,000 births |
| Sex ratio | 99.7 males per 100 females |
| Median age | 28.9 years |
| Life expectancy | 74 years |
| Fertility rate 2024 | 2.2 births per woman |
| Urban population 2025 | 65.8% |
| Surface area 2023 | 163,820 km² |
| Population density | 4 per km² |
| Capital | Paramaribo |
| GDP (current US$) 2025 | $4.52B |
| GDP per capita 2025 | $7,070 |
| Income group World Bank | Upper middle income |
Suriname population by year
| Year | Population | Change | Annual growth |
|---|---|---|---|
| October 2026 (live, UN-based) | 647,652 | – | – |
| 2025 | 639,850 | +5,419 | +0.9% |
| 2024 | 634,431 | +5,545 | +0.9% |
| 2023 | 628,886 | +5,722 | +0.9% |
| 2022 | 623,164 | +5,268 | +0.9% |
| 2021 | 617,896 | +5,579 | +0.9% |
| 2020 | 612,317 | +30,690 | +1% |
| 2015 | 581,627 | +31,704 | +1.1% |
| 2010 | 549,923 | +30,610 | +1.2% |
| 2005 | 519,313 | +42,670 | +1.7% |
| 2000 | 476,643 | +47,037 | +2.1% |
| 1995 | 429,606 | +17,113 | +0.8% |
| 1990 | 412,493 | +25,521 | +1.3% |
| 1985 | 386,972 | +11,595 | +0.6% |
| 1980 | 375,377 | -15,793 | -0.8% |
| 1975 | 391,170 | +11,728 | +0.6% |
| 1970 | 379,442 | +59,442 | +3.5% |
| 1965 | 320,000 | +56,082 | +3.9% |
| 1960 | 263,918 | – | – |
Change and annual growth are measured against the previous row; growth is annualized where rows are five years apart. The live row extrapolates the UN estimate and is not directly comparable with the World Bank series.
About Suriname
Population over time
- From 263,918 in 1960 to 647,652 today — up 145.4%.
- The population is at its all-time high right now.
- Average change over the last 10 years of data: +1% per year.
Life expectancy & fertility
- Life expectancy at birth: 73.8 years (2024), up 17.2 years since 1960.
- Fertility: 2.2 births per woman (2024) — above the ~2.1 replacement level.
Birth & death rates
- Latest: 17.2 births vs 6.8 deaths per 1,000 people (2024).
- Natural increase of 10.3 per 1,000 a year, before migration.
Age structure
- 25.3% of the population is under 15 and 8.2% is 65 or older (2025).
- The 65+ share has grown from 5% in 1960 — the population is aging.
CO₂ emissions
- Latest total: 2.58 Mt CO₂ (2024).
- Emissions peaked at 2.96 Mt in 2016 — down 13% since.
- Per person: 4.06 t in 2024, vs 1.65 t in 1970.
Energy use & renewables
- Energy use: 1,695.2 kg of oil equivalent per person (2023), up 32.4% since 2000.
- Renewables supplied 14.5% of final energy in 2021 (-9.1 points since 2000).
Forest area (% of land)
- Forest covers 94.4% of land area (2023).
- Net deforestation: cover fell from 95.8% to 94.4% since 1990 — roughly 2,226 km² of forest lost.
Urban population (% of total)
- 65.8% of people live in urban areas (2025), vs 61% in 1960 (+4.8 points).
- Majority-urban for the whole period covered.
Water resources & stress
- Water stress: low — freshwater withdrawals are 0.6% of renewable internal resources (2022, SDG 6.4.2-style bands).
- Renewable freshwater per person: 158,867 m³ in 2022, down 56.2% since 1961.
Economy
- GDP: $4.52B in 2025.
- Nominal GDP is down 11.8% since 2015.
- That works out to $7,070 per person.
Unemployment & inflation
- Unemployment: 7.8% of the labor force (2025, ILO estimate).
- Consumer-price inflation: 9.2% in 2025.
Internet & mobile
- 87.4% of people used the internet in 2023.
- Mobile subscriptions: 142.1 per 100 people (2024) — more subscriptions than people.
Suriname in the news
Frequently asked questions
What is the population of Suriname in 2026?
As of October 2026, Suriname has an estimated population of 647,652. The United Nations estimated 643,394 residents on 1 January 2026; the live figure on this page extrapolates that estimate using the +0.8% annual growth rate.
Is the population of Suriname growing or shrinking?
It is growing at +0.8% per year — roughly 15 more people every day. Each year there are about 10,809 births and 4,504 deaths, with net migration of -965.
What is the population density of Suriname?
About 4 people per square kilometre: 647,652 people living on 163,820 km² of surface area (World Bank, 2023).
What is the median age in Suriname?
The median age is 28.9 years, and life expectancy at birth is 74 years. 25.3% of the population is under 15 and 8.2% is 65 or older (2025).
How does Suriname rank by population?
Suriname is the 170th most populous of 238 countries and territories worldwide and the 12th in South America, with 0.008% of the global population.
How has the population of Suriname changed over time?
In 1960 the population was 263,918; by 2025 it had grown to 639,850 (+142.4%). The year-by-year table above lists the full World Bank series.
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MacauSources & method: the live population is a linear extrapolation of the UN World Population Prospects estimate for 1 January 2026 using the annual growth rate (+0.8%); births, deaths and migration counters apply the UN crude rates to the live figure. Historical series, area, GDP and other indicators are from World Bank Open Data; the encyclopedic summary is from Wikipedia. Figures are statistical estimates, not census counts. Page generated 2026-10-19. More about our data.