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Economy of Belize vs Suriname compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Belize has a GDP of $3.2B compared to $4.42B for Suriname, ranking 168/197 and 164/197 by economy size, respectively.

Belize has $2.1B in government debt (65.4% of GDP), compared to $3.86B (87.3% of GDP) in Suriname.

Belize vs Suriname GDP by year

Belize
Suriname
1x
Year GDP, current $
Belize Suriname
2024 $3,203,631,800 $4,416,775,112
2023 $3,052,362,650 $3,472,693,412
2022 $2,846,604,350 $3,791,603,200
2021 $2,428,606,250 $3,107,923,198
2020 $2,047,284,600 $2,911,807,496
2019 $2,381,187,850 $4,016,040,575
2018 $2,285,915,050 $3,996,198,867
2017 $2,266,028,250 $3,591,679,431
2016 $2,239,604,950 $3,317,421,648
2015 $2,193,095,150 $5,126,237,646
2014 $2,138,242,200 $5,240,606,061
2013 $2,035,191,450 $5,145,757,576
2012 $1,917,083,500 $4,980,000,000
2011 $1,831,576,700 $4,422,276,622
2010 $1,748,988,400 $4,368,370,998
2009 $1,688,012,750 $3,875,409,836
2008 $1,738,453,600 $3,532,969,035
2007 $1,706,190,450 $2,936,612,022
2006 $1,590,463,100 $2,626,380,435
2005 $1,474,298,400 $1,793,410,397
2004 $1,400,202,000 $1,484,092,538
2003 $1,308,280,250 $1,274,190,311
2002 $1,243,912,050 $1,093,574,468
2001 $1,172,045,150 $834,279,358
2000 $1,138,138,100 $947,671,970
1999 $999,713,050 $886,290,698
1998 $929,047,000 $1,110,850,000
1997 $872,916,050 $926,422,500
1996 $850,339,100 $861,372,806
1995 $818,590,250 $691,590,498
1994 $771,838,000 $605,492,537
1993 $752,255,150 $428,764,706
1992 $695,741,150 $404,600,000
1991 $596,682,100 $448,100,000
1990 $546,750,912 $388,400,000
1989 $491,100,000 $542,600,000
1988 $421,450,000 $1,161,000,000
1987 $371,100,000 $980,000,000
1986 $311,500,000 $891,000,000
1985 $287,300,000 $873,000,000
1984 $290,350,000 $864,000,000
1983 $262,150,000 $883,500,000
1982 $248,550,000 $915,000,000
1981 $260,750,000 $889,000,000
1980 $257,400,000 $795,000,000
1979 $151,800,000 $782,500,000
1978 $136,300,000 $735,500,000
1977 $117,650,000 $641,500,000
1976 $97,094,227 $505,500,000
1975 $118,194,026 $465,500,000
1974 $103,160,450 $409,850,000
1973 $78,214,768 $339,450,000
1972 $65,998,069 $311,950,000
1971 $59,074,687 $301,000,000
1970 $53,339,893 $274,900,000
1969 $47,399,905 $259,650,000
1968 $44,999,910 $241,350,000
1967 $47,431,256 $220,700,000
1966 $44,450,044 $190,350,000
1965 $40,110,040 $154,150,000
1964 $36,194,586 $134,400,000
1963 $33,750,114 $125,950,000
1962 $31,857,592 $116,150,000
1961 $29,965,000 $107,700,000
1960 $28,072,478 $99,650,000

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/economy/belize/suriname | CC BY

GDP per capita in Belize vs Suriname by year

Belize
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Suriname
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Belize Suriname
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $7,681 $14,347 $6,962 $21,801
2023 $7,425 $13,730 $5,522 $21,110
2022 $7,068 $13,461 $6,084 $20,079
2021 $6,143 $11,716 $5,030 $18,458
2020 $5,239 $9,639 $4,755 $16,947
2019 $6,172 $10,500 $6,630 $19,772
2018 $6,012 $9,497 $6,666 $17,855
2017 $6,072 $9,121 $6,050 $17,568
2016 $6,141 $9,399 $5,644 $14,475
2015 $6,155 $9,538 $8,814 $16,544
2014 $6,128 $9,490 $9,108 $16,598
2013 $5,957 $9,526 $9,043 $16,173
2012 $5,733 $9,303 $8,851 $15,185
2011 $5,596 $9,722 $7,950 $13,926
2010 $5,461 $9,748 $7,944 $13,039
2009 $5,400 $9,728 $7,130 $12,393
2008 $5,712 $9,975 $6,576 $12,097
2007 $5,762 $10,226 $5,530 $11,530
2006 $5,525 $9,910 $5,003 $10,803
2005 $5,270 $9,466 $3,453 $10,014
2004 $5,154 $9,245 $2,888 $9,389
2003 $4,960 $8,850 $2,516 $8,552
2002 $4,859 $8,154 $2,202 $8,046
2001 $4,719 $7,852 $1,715 $7,865
2000 $4,727 $7,544 $1,988 $7,535
1999 $4,290 $6,790 $1,898 $7,367
1998 $4,126 $6,333 $2,429 $7,521
1997 $4,014 $6,243 $2,068 $7,422
1996 $4,043 $6,087 $1,963 $7,048
1995 $4,010 $6,091 $1,610 $7,000
1994 $3,877 $6,073 $1,434 $6,973
1993 $3,860 $6,075 $1,022 $6,650
1992 $3,643 $5,706 $969 $6,992
1991 $3,190 $5,053 $1,080 $6,852
1990 $2,986 $4,467 $942 $6,493
1989 $2,742 - $1,329 -
1988 $2,406 - $2,886 -
1987 $2,166 - $2,469 -
1986 $1,859 - $2,271 -
1985 $1,754 - $2,256 -
1984 $1,814 - $2,261 -
1983 $1,677 - $2,333 -
1982 $1,629 - $2,430 -
1981 $1,753 - $2,368 -
1980 $1,774 - $2,118 -
1979 $1,071 - $2,072 -
1978 $983 - $1,928 -
1977 $866 - $1,666 -
1976 $729 - $1,302 -
1975 $906 - $1,190 -
1974 $805 - $1,041 -
1973 $619 - $858 -
1972 $529 - $785 -
1971 $481 - $768 -
1970 $442 - $724 -
1969 $402 - $708 -
1968 $392 - $681 -
1967 $426 - $644 -
1966 $412 - $575 -
1965 $383 - $482 -
1964 $356 - $435 -
1963 $342 - $424 -
1962 $332 - $409 -
1961 $320 - $395 -
1960 $307 - $378 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/economy/belize/suriname | CC BY

Belize's GDP per capita is $7,681, ranking 98/197, compared to $6,962 in Suriname, ranking 102/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Belize ranks 117th at $14,347, while Suriname ranks 89th at $21,801.

Economic indicators

Belize Suriname
Gross domestic product
$3.2B
2024
$4.42B
2024
GDP rank
168/197
2024
164/197
2024
GDP growth
3.5%
2023-2024
1.72%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$7,681
2024
$6,962
2024
GDP per capita rank
98/197
2024
102/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$14,347
2024
$21,801
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
117/197
2024
89/197
2024
Government debt
$2.1B
2024
$3.86B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
65.4%
2024
87.3%
2024
Government debt per person
$5,026
2024
$6,077
2024
Government debt per person rank
78/185
2024
74/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$9,204
2026
$3,263
2026
Number of billionaires
1
2025
n/a
Income share by richest 10%
30%
2018
30.1%
2022
Income share by poorest 10%
2.2%
2018
2.2%
2022
Government expenditure, % of GDP
26.3%
2024
29.2%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
3.3%
2023-2024
16.2%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate n/a
10%
2013
Unemployment rate
29.3%
2020
7.92%
2016
Population
430409
646767

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Belize
Spending

Debt
Suriname
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Belize Suriname
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 26.3% 65.4% 29.2% 87.3%
2023 25.8% 67.5% 29% 98.2%
2022 23.4% 66.8% 29.5% 116.9%
2021 25.7% 82.2% 32% 115.8%
2020 33.2% 103% 30.2% 146.4%
2019 27.5% 78.6% 40.5% 84%
2018 26.9% 79% 29.5% 68.6%
2017 27.7% 78.1% 28.7% 73%
2016 27.7% 70.5% 27.9% 75.4%
2015 27.9% 65.1% 29.9% 41.2%
2014 24.8% 61.5% 25.2% 25.2%
2013 23.8% 62.8% 26.2% 27.9%
2012 22.1% 63.1% 25.1% 20.1%
2011 23.5% 66.2% 21% 18.7%
2010 23.3% 68.4% 21% 17.3%
2009 23.2% 69.7% 24% 14.6%
2008 21.8% 64.7% 20.5% 14.8%
2007 22.1% 66.4% 22.6% 16.4%
2006 21.2% 71.4% 22.2% 22.5%
2005 21.4% 72.7% 22.2% 27.1%
2004 21.7% 70.7% 20.8% 29.4%
2003 24.6% 67.2% 19.2% 31.5%
2002 24.4% 53.2% 22.2% 37.4%
2001 25.9% 49.5% 21.8% 37.2%
2000 23.2% 79% 24.4% 48.4%
1999 23.6% 41.5% 19.6% 32.3%
1998 20.9% 38.7% 30.3% 21.6%
1997 19.9% 39.4% 21.1% 16.8%
1996 19.9% 38.4% 21.4% 11.8%
1995 - - 20.2% 16.3%
1994 - - 19.8% 30.5%
1993 - - 21.2% 51.1%
1992 - - 24.4% 64.4%
1991 - - 26.6% 75.7%
1990 - - 22.7% 72.9%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1996–2000, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/belize/suriname | CC BY

In 2024, Belize's government spending was $842M, accounting for 26.3% of its GDP, while Suriname spent $1.29B, or 29.2% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 65.4% in Belize and 87.3% in Suriname, ranking 67/185 and 37/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Belize

Suriname
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Belize Suriname
2024 -1.23% -2.42%
2023 -2.42% -1.68%
2022 -1.04% -2.69%
2021 -3.29% -5.66%
2020 -8.57% -12%
2019 -2.9% -20.2%
2018 -1.37% -8.56%
2017 -3.48% -8.62%
2016 -4.47% -10.2%
2015 -5.14% -8.29%
2014 -1.72% -2.65%
2013 -1.21% -2.64%
2012 -0.22% -0.38%
2011 -1.06% 2.32%
2010 -1.9% -0.15%
2009 -2.46% 2.03%
2008 1.25% 2.39%
2007 -0.19% 5.01%
2006 -2.27% 0.59%
2005 -3.7% -3.39%
2004 -4.52% -1.2%
2003 -8.41% -0.11%
2002 -5.41% -3.3%
2001 -7.23% 3.49%
2000 -6.68% -7.76%
1999 -6.51% -4.92%
1998 -2.69% -6.39%
1997 -1.81% -0.32%
1996 -1.76% 3.42%
1995 - 1.17%
1994 - -1.89%
1993 - -4.68%
1992 - -6.45%
1991 - -9.8%
1990 - -3.04%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/belize/suriname | CC BY

In 2024, Belize's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $39.4M, equivalent to 1.23% of GDP. This compares to Suriname's deficit of $107M, or 2.42% of GDP.

Over the past 29 years, Belize recorded a fiscal deficit in 28 of those years, while Suriname ran a deficit in 22 years. On average, Belize posted an annual deficit equal to 3.19% of GDP, compared to deficit of 3.25% of GDP for Suriname.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Belize

Suriname
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Belize Suriname
2024 3.3% 16.2%
2023 4.4% 51.6%
2022 6.3% 52.4%
2021 3.2% 59.1%
2020 0.1% 34.9%
2019 0.2% -
2018 0.3% -
2017 1.1% 22%
2016 0.7% 55.4%
2015 -0.9% 6.89%
2014 1.2% 3.38%
2013 0.5% 1.92%
2012 1.2% 5.01%
2011 1.7% 17.7%
2010 0.9% 6.94%
2009 -1.1% -0.13%
2008 6.4% 14.7%
2007 2.3% 6.43%
2006 4.2% 11.3%
2005 3.7% 9.9%
2004 3.1% 9.99%
2003 2.6% 23%
2002 2.2% 15.5%
2001 1.1% 38.6%
2000 0.6% 59.4%
1999 -1.2% 98.8%
1998 -0.8% 19%
1997 1% 7.15%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/economy/belize/suriname | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Belize has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 1.73%, compared with 24.9% in Suriname. In 2024, inflation was 3.3% in Belize and 16.2% in Suriname.

Top exports between countries

Belize
Export category Export value
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $4.12M
Raw agricultural goods $147K
Textiles & consumer goods $77K
Wood & paper products $22K
Machinery & equipment $18K
Chemicals & pharma $10K
Suriname
Export category Export value
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $188K
Chemicals & pharma $48K
Textiles & consumer goods $45K
Wood & paper products $30K
Machinery & equipment $1K

Balance of trade

Belize Suriname
Current account balance
-$51.7M
2024
$9.31M
2024
Current account balance ranking
84/190
2024
76/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-1.61%
2024
+0.21%
2024
Goods imports
$1.36B
2024
$1.65B
2024
Goods exports
$482M
2024
$2.58B
2024
Service imports
$362M
2024
$921M
2024
Service exports
$1.16B
2024
$211M
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
53.7%
2024
38.4%
2010
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
55.2%
2024
52.5%
2010

Economic freedom indices

The indices of economic freedom below are issued by the Heritage Foundation. Higher scores indicate stronger economic health.

Belize Suriname
Economic freedom 64.7 53
Economic freedom ranking 71/197 143/197
Property rights 46.3 40.5
Government integrity 46.2 41
Judicial effectiveness 73.9 46.5
Tax burden 81.8 69.1
Government spending 81 74.3
Fiscal health 87.5 76.6
Business freedom 67.2 56.9
Labor freedom 57.6 69
Monetary freedom 72.6 56.4
Trade freedom 57.8 65.2
Investment freedom 55 20
Financial freedom 50 20

Economic freedom comparison by year

Belize
Suriname
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Belize Suriname
2026 64.7 53
2025 64.2 50.9
2024 61.2 46.7
2023 59.8 46.1
2022 56.6 48.1
2021 57.5 46.4
2020 57.4 49.5
2019 55.4 48.1
2018 57.1 48.1
2017 58.6 48
2016 57.4 53.8
2015 56.8 54.2
2014 56.7 54.2
2013 57.3 52
2012 61.9 52.6
2011 63.8 53.1
2010 61.5 52.5
2009 63 54.1
2008 63 54.3
2007 63.3 54.8
2006 64.7 55.1
2005 64.5 51.9
2004 62.8 47.9
2003 63.5 46.9
2002 65.6 48
2001 65.9 44.3
2000 63.3 45.8
1999 60.7 40.1
1998 59.1 39.9
1997 64.3 35.9
1996 61.6 36.7
1995 62.9 -

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09).

GeoRank.org/economy/belize/suriname | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Belize is 64.7, ranking 71/197, compared to 53 for Suriname, ranking 143/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Belize Suriname
Services, % of GDP
62.4%
2024
50.8%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
14.6%
2024
35.1%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
7.95%
2024
6.77%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$2.98B
2024
$3.61B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$13,760
2024
$20,000
2024
Total reserves including gold
$498M
2024
$1.63B
2024
Total reserves ranking
156/177
2024
132/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$126M
2024
$26.5M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$128M
2024
-$37.6M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$2.61M
2024
-$11.1M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
4.15%
2024
20.5%
2023
Poverty at national poverty lines
52%
2018
70%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
19.8%
2024
36.2%
2010

GDP per capita map

1x

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06); U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/belize/suriname | CC BY

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  3. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  4. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  5. TradeMap (2020–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  6. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1996–2000, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  7. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  8. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2025-10-14)
  9. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2020, retrieved 2026-02-20)

Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) — you’re free to copy, share, remix, adapt, and use even commercially as long as you give appropriate credit and clearly indicate if you made changes. Other sources may be subject to different license terms.

The current account balance is the sum of net trade in goods and services, net earnings from cross-border investments, and net transfer payments. It reflects a country's economic transactions with the rest of the world and is a fundamental component of the balance of payments. A surplus indicates that a country exports more than it imports, while a deficit shows the opposite.

Gross National Income (GNI) measures a country's total income. It encompasses income earned by residents, businesses, and foreign sources, defined as employee compensation and investment profits. GNI adds product taxes not included elsewhere and subtracts subsidies. It accounts for income from residents working abroad but excludes earnings from foreigners within the country.

A negative value for Net Foreign Direct Investment indicates a country is a net receiver of investments, as foreign inflows exceed outflows after Balance of Payments adjustments. A positive value indicates a net provider, with outflows exceeding inflows. Inflows are credits (increasing foreign claims on domestic assets), while outflows are debits (increasing domestic assets abroad).

Foreign direct investment (FDI, net inflows) shows how much capital foreign investors bring into a country after accounting for any funds that flow back in the opposite direction. It represents the net value of overseas companies establishing, expanding, or financing businesses in the reporting country. A positive number means more capital entered the country than was withdrawn, while a negative number means foreign investors pulled out more than they invested.

Foreign direct investment (FDI, net outflows) shows how much capital residents of a country invest abroad after accounting for any funds that flow back in the opposite direction. It represents the net value of domestic companies establishing, expanding, or financing businesses in other countries. A positive number means more capital was invested abroad than withdrawn, while a negative number means residents pulled back more than they invested.

Principal and interest payments to the IMF in currency, goods, or services on long-term debt expressed as a share of GNI.

Formerly gross domestic investment, gross capital formation measures the share of a country’s economic output invested in fixed assets, including buildings, machinery, and infrastructure. It indicates how much of the economy is devoted to building productive capacity.