Suriname economy in figures
Suriname's economy is recovering: inflation fell to 7.3% in September 2026, reserves are around USD 2 billion and the dollar rate has been fairly stable at SRD 37.5 to 37.8 since spring 2026. But public debt is high, borrowing is expensive (close to 14% on average) and the big jump in growth only comes with first oil from GranMorgu in 2028. Below are the key figures, each with date and source.
On this page (12)
- Growth: 1.5% in 2025; the IMF expects 3.9% in 2026, 4.4% in 2027 and 28.5% in 2028, once oil starts flowing.
- Inflation: 7.3% in September 2026 (ABS), down from 10.9% in April. Prices are still rising, but more slowly.
- Exchange rate: the SRD floats freely; the dollar moved around SRD 37.5 to 37.8 in 2026.
- Debt: USD 4.65 billion in June 2026: 119.6% of GDP under the legal definition, 74.5% measured against IMF GDP for 2026.
- Borrowing: average lending rate 13.8%; the banks themselves are well capitalised (solvency 19.8%).
- Exports: gold and oil together are about 90% of goods exports. Exporters must sell 35% of their foreign currency.
Fact table
| Indicator | Value | Source and date |
|---|---|---|
| Real GDP growth | 1.7% in 2024; 1.5% in 2025 | IMF Article IV, January 2026 |
| Growth forecast | 3.9% in 2026; 4.4% in 2027; 28.5% in 2028 | IMF Article IV, January 2026 |
| Economic activity (MEAI) | +9.6% year on year in April 2026 (7.7% in January) | SEOB bulletin 30, September 2026 |
| Inflation | 7.3% year on year in September 2026; 0.1% on August | ABS, 22 October 2026 |
| Exchange rate today | USD: SRD 37.80; EUR: SRD 42.10 (selling) | CME, 26 October 2026 |
| Exchange rate, monthly | USD: SRD 37.8 in July 2026; EUR: SRD 43.8 in May 2026 | SEOB bulletins 29 and 30, 2026 |
| International reserves | About USD 2.0 billion in July 2026, 8.2 months of import cover | SEOB bulletin 30, September 2026 |
| Public debt | USD 4.65 billion in June 2026: 119.6% of GDP (legal) or 74.5% (IMF GDP 2026); ceiling 60% | Debt Management Office, 28 August 2026 |
| Budget 2027 | Revenue SRD 70.1 billion, spending SRD 80.9 billion, deficit 4% of GDP | President's annual address, 30 September 2026 |
| Average lending rate | 13.8% (14.0% in April 2026); savings rate 7.1% in April 2026 | SEOB bulletins 29 and 30, 2026 |
| Banks | Solvency 19.8% (June 2026); net non-performing loans 2.3% | SEOB bulletin 30, September 2026 |
| Credit ratings | Moody's Caa1, positive (22 October 2024); S&P CCC+, stable (December 2023); no current public Fitch rating found | Government of Suriname; rating databases, October 2026 |
| IMF programme | Extended Fund Facility completed in March 2025; SDR 430.7 million still outstanding on 31 March 2026 | IMF |
| Goods exports | USD 2.47 billion in 2025, of which USD 2.22 billion gold and petroleum | IMF Article IV, January 2026 |
| Main suppliers | United States 22.5%, China 13.7%, Netherlands 11.7% of imports (2024) | Statistics Netherlands (CBS), November 2025 |
| GranMorgu first oil | Mid-2028; 220,000 barrels a day | Government (annual address 2026); TotalEnergies |
Growth: recovery now, oil from 2028
After the 2020 to 2021 crisis the economy is growing again, but modestly: 1.7% in 2024 and 1.5% in 2025 according to the IMF. For 2026 both the IMF and the government expect about 3.9%. The Central Bank's monthly economic activity index (MEAI) shows a stronger pickup in 2026, from 7.7% in January to 9.6% in April (SEOB). In March, water supply, trade, hospitality and government were strongest; transport and mining were weaker. The MEAI is a quick indicator, not a GDP figure.
The real jump comes with oil. The IMF expects 28.5% growth in 2028, the year the offshore GranMorgu project in Block 58 is due to start producing. According to the IMF, oil output rises from 6.3 million barrels in 2025 to 86.3 million in 2028. What that means for suppliers: Oil and gas: GranMorgu.
Inflation and exchange rate
Inflation still rose to 10.9% in April 2026, then fell quickly: 10.4% in June, 8.9% in July, 8.0% in August and 7.3% in September (ABS). Fruit and vegetables stayed expensive. The Surinamese dollar has floated since 2021; from April to July 2026 the US dollar stayed around SRD 37.5 to 37.8, and the euro stood at SRD 43.8 in May.
Today (CME, 26 October 2026): USD selling SRD 37.80, EUR selling SRD 42.10. All bank rates: Exchange rates today.
Reserves, debt and public finances
International reserves rose to about USD 2.0 billion in July 2026, enough for 8.2 months of imports according to the SEOB. The IMF uses a different measure and put end-2025 reserves at USD 1.3 billion and 3.5 months of imports. Both are above the usual three-month benchmark.
Two debt ratios are in circulation. The Debt Management Office reported USD 4.65 billion in June 2026 (SRD 175.3 billion), of which USD 3.9 billion is external. Measured against ABS GDP for 2024, as the Public Debt Act requires, that is 119.6%. Measured against the larger IMF GDP for 2026, it is 74.5%. The difference comes from the denominator, not from a different debt. The legal ceiling is 60%. For 2027 the government projects a deficit of SRD 10.8 billion, 4% of GDP.
Banks and interest rates
The weighted average lending rate was 14.0% in April 2026 and eased slightly to 13.8% (SEOB, September 2026). The savings rate was 7.1% in April. With inflation at 7.3%, you pay a real interest rate of over 6%. According to the SEOB the banking sector is stable: solvency of 19.8% in June 2026 and net non-performing loans of 2.3%.
Credit ratings and the IMF
Moody's upgraded Suriname by two notches to Caa1 with a positive outlook on 22 October 2024. S&P rates Suriname CCC+, stable (December 2023). Both are far below investment grade. We found no current public Fitch rating; Fitch held talks with Surinamese business groups in October 2026. In November 2025 Suriname issued USD 1.575 billion in bonds (maturing 2030 and 2035), topped up with USD 265 million in February 2026, mainly to refinance older debt.
The IMF programme (2021 Extended Fund Facility) was completed in March 2025. Since then the IMF follows Suriname through the annual Article IV consultation; the latest was discussed on 26 January 2026. On 31 March 2026, SDR 430.7 million in IMF credit was still outstanding.
Exports and trading partners
Suriname lives off gold. According to the IMF, goods exports were USD 2.47 billion in 2025, of which USD 2.22 billion (about 90%) was gold and petroleum. Gold output was 712,000 troy ounces. In the fourth quarter of 2025 gold alone earned more than USD 635 million, with the United Arab Emirates as the main destination (Central Bank). Other exports include rice, fish and shrimp, timber and bananas.
On the import side, the United States (22.5%), China (13.7%) and the Netherlands (11.7%) were the largest suppliers in 2024. More on trade: Exporting from Suriname · Importing goods · Trade agreements and market access · Sectors and opportunities
What it means for your business
- Pricing in SRD or USD. The rate has been stable for months, but the SRD floats. If you buy in dollars, calculate your cost price at the day's selling rate and agree an exchange rate clause in large or long contracts. Price and markup · Exchange rates today
- Interest costs. At 13.8%, a loan of SRD 1,000,000 costs you about SRD 138,000 in interest in the first year. Run the numbers on an investment before you borrow, and compare banks and the NOB development bank. Loan calculator · Business financing
- Access to foreign currency. With reserves around USD 2 billion there is more currency available than in the crisis years. Still plan large foreign payments with your bank in good time and allow for the gap between bank and exchange office rates. Opening a business bank account
- The retention rule. If you export, you sell 35% of your proceeds to a Surinamese bank within three working days. Build that into your prices and cash planning. Exporting from Suriname
- A stricter tax office. High debt and a deficit mean the government wants to collect more tax, mainly through better enforcement. Keep your records in order. New laws and rules
- Opportunities around oil. Building GranMorgu and the growth after 2028 need suppliers, staff and services. Register with the procurement portals and follow the local content rules. Oil and gas: GranMorgu · Become an oil and gas supplier
Suriname at a glance: country basics
| Topic | Fact |
|---|---|
| Capital | Paramaribo |
| Area | Over 160,000 km², mostly forest; most business activity is on the coastal plain. Business by district |
| Population | 541,638 at the latest published census (2012, ABS). Results of the 2024 census have not been published yet; the UN estimated 612,985 people in 2021. |
| Language | Dutch is the official language (laws, government, contracts). Sranan Tongo is the everyday language; English is widely spoken, including in business. |
| Time zone | UTC−3 all year, no daylight saving time |
| Currency | Surinamese dollar (SRD), since 2004; freely floating. Exchange rates today |
| Budget and tax year | Calendar year; the President presented the 2027 budget on 30 September 2026. Tax deadlines |
| Public holidays | Public holidays 2026 and 2027 |
| Banks | Opening hours differ by bank and branch; check your bank's website. Opening a business bank account |
| Electricity | 60 Hz; both 127 V and 220 V are in use. Check the voltage of each socket before you plug in European equipment (230 V, 50 Hz). Power cuts: EBS power outages |
| Phone and internet | Country code +597. Mobile: Telesur (state-owned) and Digicel. Fixed internet and fibre: mainly Telesur. |
| Traffic | Drive on the left |
| Airport | Johan Adolf Pengel International Airport (Zanderij), the only airport for large jet aircraft |
| Port | Dr. Jules Sedney Harbour in Paramaribo, with a DP World container terminal |
What if...
- ...the exchange rate suddenly rises? Your purchase prices in SRD go up at once. Adjust your price list, and state on quotes how long a price is valid. Quote generator
- ...I need to show an investor figures? Use the figures above with their date and source, and see Investing in Suriname and Writing a business plan.
- ...I see a figure that differs from this page? Check the date and the definition. Especially for public debt and reserves, sources use different measures.
Sources
- IMF: Suriname 2025 Article IV Consultation, Country Report No. 26/37 (January 2026)
- IMF: Suriname and the IMF
- Algemeen Bureau voor de Statistiek (ABS): consumentenprijsindex september 2026
- Starnieuws: inflatie daalt naar 7,3% (23 October 2026)
- SEOB-bulletin 29 (June 2026)
- Suriname Times: SEOB-bulletin 30 (September 2026)
- De West: overheidsfinanciën en staatsschuld volgens de SEOB (30 September 2026)
- Bureau voor de Staatsschuld: totale staatsschuld USD 4,65 miljard (28 August 2026)
- gov.sr: jaarrede president Simons (30 September 2026)
- Starnieuws: jaarrede, obligaties en heropening februari 2026 (30 September 2026)
- GFC Nieuws: begroting 2027 (30 September 2026)
- gov.sr: Moody's verhoogt kredietwaardigheid Suriname (October 2024)
- Trading Economics: ratings Suriname (S&P, Moody's)
- De West: Fitch Ratings in gesprek met bedrijfsleven (13 October 2026)
- Morgan Lewis: Suriname USD 1,575 miljard obligaties (November 2025)
- GFC Nieuws: CBvS over goudexport vierde kwartaal 2025 (23 April 2026)
- CBS: export naar Suriname en invoeraandelen 2024 (November 2025)
- gov.sr: eerste olie GranMorgu medio 2028 (30 September 2026)
- TotalEnergies: final investment decision GranMorgu
- ABS: volkstellingen
- BuddeComm: Suriname telecoms, mobile and broadband
Checked on 26 October 2026. Exchange rate today: updated automatically. Other figures carry their own date.
Frequently asked questions
What is the inflation rate in Suriname?
According to the statistics bureau ABS, annual inflation was 7.3% in September 2026, down from 8.0% in August and 8.9% in July. Prices rose 0.1% from August to September.
How high is Suriname's public debt?
The Debt Management Office reported USD 4.65 billion in June 2026. That is 119.6% of GDP under the legal definition (ABS GDP for 2024) and 74.5% measured against IMF GDP for 2026. The legal ceiling is 60%.
When does GranMorgu oil production start?
First oil from GranMorgu (Block 58, TotalEnergies, APA and Staatsolie) is planned for mid-2028, with a capacity of 220,000 barrels a day. The IMF expects 28.5% economic growth in 2028 as a result.
Does Suriname still have an IMF programme?
No. The IMF programme (Extended Fund Facility, 2021) was completed in March 2025. The IMF now does the regular annual Article IV consultation; the latest was discussed by its board on 26 January 2026.
What is Suriname's credit rating?
Moody's rated Suriname Caa1 with a positive outlook on 22 October 2024. S&P is at CCC+ with a stable outlook (December 2023). We found no current public Fitch rating; Fitch held talks with Surinamese business groups in October 2026.
What is Suriname's main export?
Gold. According to the IMF, gold and petroleum together made up about 90% of goods exports in 2025 (USD 2.2 of 2.5 billion). Gold goes mainly to the United Arab Emirates.