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Economy of Guyana vs Suriname compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Guyana has a GDP of $24.7B compared to $4.42B for Suriname, ranking 120/197 and 164/197 by economy size, respectively.

Guyana has $5.99B in government debt (24.3% of GDP), compared to $3.86B (87.3% of GDP) in Suriname.

Guyana vs Suriname GDP by year

Guyana
Suriname
1x
Year GDP, current $
Guyana Suriname
2024 $24,662,709,832 $4,416,775,112
2023 $16,918,503,597 $3,472,693,412
2022 $14,718,388,489 $3,791,603,200
2021 $8,041,362,110 $3,107,923,198
2020 $5,471,256,595 $2,911,807,496
2019 $5,173,760,192 $4,016,040,575
2018 $4,787,636,998 $3,996,198,867
2017 $4,748,174,334 $3,591,679,431
2016 $4,482,697,337 $3,317,421,648
2015 $4,279,840,194 $5,126,237,646
2014 $4,127,660,152 $5,240,606,061
2013 $4,167,800,929 $5,145,757,576
2012 $4,063,088,536 $4,980,000,000
2011 $3,691,384,318 $4,422,276,622
2010 $3,432,912,517 $4,368,370,998
2009 $3,165,663,153 $3,875,409,836
2008 $3,025,187,433 $3,532,969,035
2007 $2,730,971,595 $2,936,612,022
2006 $2,379,817,991 $2,626,380,435
2005 $824,880,550 $1,793,410,397
2004 $787,814,379 $1,484,092,538
2003 $743,063,950 $1,274,190,311
2002 $726,131,435 $1,093,574,468
2001 $712,167,450 $834,279,358
2000 $712,667,897 $947,671,970
1999 $694,754,988 $886,290,698
1998 $717,530,683 $1,110,850,000
1997 $749,138,010 $926,422,500
1996 $705,406,001 $861,372,806
1995 $621,626,786 $691,590,498
1994 $540,874,934 $605,492,537
1993 $454,101,382 $428,764,706
1992 $373,573,141 $404,600,000
1991 $348,533,095 $448,100,000
1990 $396,582,263 $388,400,000
1989 $379,779,390 $542,600,000
1988 $413,799,990 $1,161,000,000
1987 $354,591,847 $980,000,000
1986 $504,651,140 $891,000,000
1985 $453,488,372 $873,000,000
1984 $437,631,605 $864,000,000
1983 $489,333,333 $883,500,000
1982 $482,000,000 $915,000,000
1981 $570,357,107 $889,000,000
1980 $603,200,000 $795,000,000
1979 $530,440,000 $782,500,000
1978 $507,080,000 $735,500,000
1977 $449,880,000 $641,500,000
1976 $454,440,000 $505,500,000
1975 $494,791,667 $465,500,000
1974 $433,954,545 $409,850,000
1973 $307,047,619 $339,450,000
1972 $285,380,952 $311,950,000
1971 $282,050,000 $301,000,000
1970 $267,800,000 $274,900,000
1969 $249,300,000 $259,650,000
1968 $229,750,000 $241,350,000
1967 $250,176,471 $220,700,000
1966 $228,705,882 $190,350,000
1965 $213,235,294 $154,150,000
1964 $194,774,513 $134,400,000
1963 $175,757,894 $125,950,000
1962 $194,949,513 $116,150,000
1961 $185,849,535 $107,700,000
1960 $170,216,241 $99,650,000

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

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

GDP per capita in Guyana vs Suriname by year

Guyana
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Suriname
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Guyana Suriname
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $29,675 $80,155 $6,962 $21,801
2023 $20,474 $54,729 $5,522 $21,110
2022 $17,913 $39,711 $6,084 $20,079
2021 $9,861 $22,866 $5,030 $18,458
2020 $6,776 $16,819 $4,755 $16,947
2019 $6,406 $13,241 $6,630 $19,772
2018 $6,048 $12,443 $6,666 $17,855
2017 $6,179 $12,243 $6,050 $17,568
2016 $5,871 $11,516 $5,644 $14,475
2015 $5,640 $11,408 $8,814 $16,544
2014 $5,473 $11,145 $9,108 $16,598
2013 $5,557 $11,200 $9,043 $16,173
2012 $5,444 $10,627 $8,851 $15,185
2011 $4,947 $10,066 $7,950 $13,926
2010 $4,582 $9,337 $7,944 $13,039
2009 $4,209 $8,824 $7,130 $12,393
2008 $4,009 $8,437 $6,576 $12,097
2007 $3,608 $8,110 $5,530 $11,530
2006 $3,136 $7,346 $5,003 $10,803
2005 $1,084 $6,761 $3,453 $10,014
2004 $1,033 $6,673 $2,888 $9,389
2003 $974 $6,392 $2,516 $8,552
2002 $951 $6,304 $2,202 $8,046
2001 $932 $6,131 $1,715 $7,865
2000 $932 $5,860 $1,988 $7,535
1999 $909 $5,812 $1,898 $7,367
1998 $940 $5,573 $2,429 $7,521
1997 $983 $5,615 $2,068 $7,422
1996 $928 $5,210 $1,963 $7,048
1995 $820 $4,753 $1,610 $7,000
1994 $716 $4,447 $1,434 $6,973
1993 $603 $4,027 $1,022 $6,650
1992 $498 $3,651 $969 $6,992
1991 $466 $3,322 $1,080 $6,852
1990 $529 $3,022 $942 $6,493
1989 $503 - $1,329 -
1988 $545 - $2,886 -
1987 $464 - $2,469 -
1986 $657 - $2,271 -
1985 $588 - $2,256 -
1984 $565 - $2,261 -
1983 $631 - $2,333 -
1982 $621 - $2,430 -
1981 $735 - $2,368 -
1980 $779 - $2,118 -
1979 $689 - $2,072 -
1978 $663 - $1,928 -
1977 $593 - $1,666 -
1976 $604 - $1,302 -
1975 $664 - $1,190 -
1974 $588 - $1,041 -
1973 $421 - $858 -
1972 $395 - $785 -
1971 $396 - $768 -
1970 $381 - $724 -
1969 $361 - $708 -
1968 $340 - $681 -
1967 $378 - $644 -
1966 $353 - $575 -
1965 $336 - $482 -
1964 $313 - $435 -
1963 $288.8 - $424 -
1962 $327 - $409 -
1961 $319 - $395 -
1960 $299.1 - $378 -

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

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

Guyana's GDP per capita is $29,675, ranking 41/197, compared to $6,962 in Suriname, ranking 102/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Guyana ranks 15th at $80,155, while Suriname ranks 89th at $21,801.

Economic indicators

Guyana Suriname
Gross domestic product
$24.7B
2024
$4.42B
2024
GDP rank
120/197
2024
164/197
2024
GDP growth
43.8%
2023-2024
1.72%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$29,675
2024
$6,962
2024
GDP per capita rank
41/197
2024
102/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$80,155
2024
$21,801
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
15/197
2024
89/197
2024
Government debt
$5.99B
2024
$3.86B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
24.3%
2024
87.3%
2024
Government debt per person
$7,213
2024
$6,077
2024
Government debt per person rank
66/185
2024
74/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$13,212
2026
$3,263
2026
Income share by richest 10%
34.4%
1998
30.1%
2022
Income share by poorest 10%
1.1%
1998
2.2%
2022
Government expenditure, % of GDP
23.2%
2024
29.2%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
2.5%
2023-2024
16.2%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate n/a
10%
2013
Unemployment rate
13.2%
2019
7.92%
2016
Population
842249
646767

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Guyana
Spending

Debt
Suriname
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Guyana Suriname
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 23.2% 24.3% 29.2% 87.3%
2023 23.7% 26.7% 29% 98.2%
2022 20.3% 24.8% 29.5% 116.9%
2021 24.8% 45.7% 32% 115.8%
2020 30.5% 59.5% 30.2% 146.4%
2019 28.1% 54% 40.5% 84%
2018 27.6% 47.9% 29.5% 68.6%
2017 26.3% 46.1% 28.7% 73%
2016 25.2% 44% 27.9% 75.4%
2015 21.7% 42.2% 29.9% 41.2%
2014 23.1% 38.7% 25.2% 25.2%
2013 21.4% 41.4% 26.2% 27.9%
2012 21.8% 44.7% 25.1% 20.1%
2011 23.5% 51.7% 21% 18.7%
2010 23.9% 53.1% 21% 17.3%
2009 25.4% 52.3% 24% 14.6%
2008 24.1% 48.2% 20.5% 14.8%
2007 25.5% 47.7% 22.6% 16.4%
2006 29% 74.5% 22.2% 22.5%
2005 28.4% 90.7% 22.2% 27.1%
2004 23.7% 91.8% 20.8% 29.4%
2003 23.5% 95.6% 19.2% 31.5%
2002 23.1% 105.1% 22.2% 37.4%
2001 24% 104.6% 21.8% 37.2%
2000 22.9% 97.2% 24.4% 48.4%
1999 17.6% 97.1% 19.6% 32.3%
1998 19.7% 108% 30.3% 21.6%
1997 20.9% 101.3% 21.1% 16.8%
1996 - - 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).

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

In 2024, Guyana's government spending was $5.72B, accounting for 23.2% of its GDP, while Suriname spent $1.29B, or 29.2% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 24.3% in Guyana and 87.3% in Suriname, ranking 168/185 and 37/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Guyana

Suriname
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Guyana Suriname
2024 -7.31% -2.42%
2023 -5.78% -1.68%
2022 -5.11% -2.69%
2021 -6.94% -5.66%
2020 -7.78% -12%
2019 -2.52% -20.2%
2018 -2.52% -8.56%
2017 -3.14% -8.62%
2016 -3.21% -10.2%
2015 -0.75% -8.29%
2014 -3.88% -2.65%
2013 -2.16% -2.64%
2012 -3.11% -0.38%
2011 -2.13% 2.32%
2010 -1.88% -0.15%
2009 -2.5% 2.03%
2008 -2.78% 2.39%
2007 -3.35% 5.01%
2006 -6.16% 0.59%
2005 -6.54% -3.39%
2004 -2.88% -1.2%
2003 -4.81% -0.11%
2002 -2.42% -3.3%
2001 -3.71% 3.49%
2000 -2.27% -7.76%
1999 -0.47% -4.92%
1998 -2.67% -6.39%
1997 -1.7% -0.32%
1996 - 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/guyana/suriname | CC BY

In 2024, Guyana's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $1.8B, equivalent to 7.31% of GDP. This compares to Suriname's deficit of $107M, or 2.42% of GDP.

Over the past 28 years, Guyana recorded a fiscal deficit in 28 of those years, while Suriname ran a deficit in 22 years. On average, Guyana posted an annual deficit equal to 3.59% of GDP, compared to deficit of 3.49% of GDP for Suriname.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Guyana

Suriname
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Guyana Suriname
2024 2.5% 16.2%
2023 4.5% 51.6%
2022 6.5% 52.4%
2021 3.3% 59.1%
2020 1.2% 34.9%
2019 2.1% -
2018 1.3% -
2017 1.9% 22%
2016 0.8% 55.4%
2015 -0.9% 6.89%
2014 0.7% 3.38%
2013 1.9% 1.92%
2012 2.4% 5.01%
2011 4.4% 17.7%
2010 4.3% 6.94%
2009 3% -0.13%
2008 8.1% 14.7%
2007 12.2% 6.43%
2006 6.7% 11.3%
2005 6.9% 9.9%
2004 4.7% 9.99%
2003 6% 23%
2002 5.4% 15.5%
2001 2.6% 38.6%
2000 6.1% 59.4%
1999 7.5% 98.8%
1998 4.6% 19%
1997 3.6% 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/guyana/suriname | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Guyana has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 4.08%, compared with 24.9% in Suriname. In 2024, inflation was 2.5% in Guyana and 16.2% in Suriname.

Top exports between countries

Guyana
Export category Export value
Raw materials & minerals $4.5M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $4.36M
Machinery & equipment $3.88M
Wood & paper products $1.98M
Chemicals & pharma $1.41M
Raw agricultural goods $868K
Metals $740K
Textiles & consumer goods $478K
Animal & marine products $37K
Precious metals & jewellery $7K
Suriname
Export category Export value
Textiles & consumer goods $3.83M
Chemicals & pharma $2.88M
Machinery & equipment $1.28M
Raw materials & minerals $1.06M
Miscellaneous $769K
Animal & marine products $656K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $655K
Metals $353K
Wood & paper products $107K
Raw agricultural goods $88K

Balance of trade

Guyana Suriname
Current account balance
$2.35B
2023
$9.31M
2024
Current account balance ranking
43/190
2023
76/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+13.9%
2023
+0.21%
2024
Goods imports
$6B
2023
$1.65B
2024
Goods exports
$13.2B
2023
$2.58B
2024
Service imports
$4.95B
2023
$921M
2024
Service exports
$529M
2023
$211M
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
109.7%
2005
38.4%
2010
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
84.6%
2005
52.5%
2010

Economic freedom indices

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

Guyana Suriname
Economic freedom 58.7 53
Economic freedom ranking 109/197 143/197
Property rights 46.7 40.5
Government integrity 38.8 41
Judicial effectiveness 48.6 46.5
Tax burden 76.4 69.1
Government spending 85 74.3
Fiscal health 39.9 76.6
Business freedom 70.9 56.9
Labor freedom 76 69
Monetary freedom 78.5 56.4
Trade freedom 59.2 65.2
Investment freedom 55 20
Financial freedom 30 20

Economic freedom comparison by year

Guyana
Suriname
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Guyana Suriname
2026 58.7 53
2025 58.2 50.9
2024 57.3 46.7
2023 56.9 46.1
2022 59.5 48.1
2021 57.4 46.4
2020 56.2 49.5
2019 56.8 48.1
2018 58.7 48.1
2017 58.5 48
2016 55.4 53.8
2015 55.5 54.2
2014 55.7 54.2
2013 53.8 52
2012 51.3 52.6
2011 49.4 53.1
2010 48.4 52.5
2009 48.4 54.1
2008 48.8 54.3
2007 53.7 54.8
2006 56.6 55.1
2005 56.5 51.9
2004 53 47.9
2003 50.3 46.9
2002 54.3 48
2001 53.3 44.3
2000 52.4 45.8
1999 53.3 40.1
1998 52.7 39.9
1997 53.2 35.9
1996 50.1 36.7
1995 45.7 -

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Guyana is 58.7, ranking 109/197, compared to 53 for Suriname, ranking 143/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Guyana Suriname
Services, % of GDP
14.5%
2024
50.8%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
76%
2024
35.1%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
7.62%
2024
6.77%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$16.7B
2024
$3.61B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$52,290
2024
$20,000
2024
Total reserves including gold
$1.01B
2024
$1.63B
2024
Total reserves ranking
141/177
2024
132/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
$1.14B
2023
$26.5M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$8.63B
2024
-$37.6M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$5.7M
2024
-$11.1M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
3.73%
2024
20.5%
2023
Poverty at national poverty lines
35%
2020
70%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
32.3%
2005
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/guyana/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 (2022–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  6. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2020, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  7. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  8. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2025-10-14)

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.