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Economy of Jamaica vs Suriname compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Jamaica has a GDP of $22.7B compared to $4.52B for Suriname, ranking 125/197 and 165/197 by economy size, respectively.

Jamaica has $15.4B in government debt (67.7% of GDP), compared to $4.79B (105.8% of GDP) in Suriname.

Jamaica vs Suriname GDP by year

Jamaica
Suriname
1x
Year GDP, current $
Jamaica Suriname
2025 $22,704,903,218 $4,523,657,797
2024 $22,014,429,051 $4,416,775,113
2023 $21,418,797,833 $3,472,693,412
2022 $18,813,516,805 $3,791,603,200
2021 $15,963,885,376 $3,107,923,198
2020 $15,000,214,216 $2,911,807,496
2019 $17,026,269,263 $4,016,040,575
2018 $16,855,447,986 $3,996,198,867
2017 $15,783,583,237 $3,591,679,431
2016 $14,898,999,754 $3,317,421,648
2015 $14,963,589,916 $5,126,237,646
2014 $13,899,217,680 $5,240,606,061
2013 $14,264,205,153 $5,145,757,576
2012 $14,807,086,556 $4,980,000,000
2011 $14,444,661,522 $4,422,276,622
2010 $13,220,549,908 $4,368,370,998
2009 $12,120,458,115 $3,875,409,836
2008 $13,709,401,520 $3,532,969,035
2007 $12,799,600,047 $2,936,612,022
2006 $11,930,179,090 $2,626,380,435
2005 $11,243,865,778 $1,793,410,397
2004 $10,174,664,854 $1,484,092,538
2003 $9,430,234,811 $1,274,190,311
2002 $9,719,009,495 $1,093,574,468
2001 $9,194,727,831 $834,279,358
2000 $9,005,064,475 $947,671,970
1999 $8,887,057,997 $886,290,698
1998 $8,787,195,622 $1,110,850,000
1997 $8,400,041,724 $926,422,500
1996 $7,393,891,921 $861,372,806
1995 $6,577,520,643 $691,590,498
1994 $5,452,558,947 $605,492,537
1993 $5,440,075,676 $428,764,706
1992 $3,535,460,090 $404,600,000
1991 $4,106,207,649 $448,100,000
1990 $4,592,208,087 $388,400,000
1989 $4,404,937,853 $542,600,000
1988 $3,828,342,820 $1,161,000,000
1987 $3,287,007,322 $980,000,000
1986 $2,754,549,582 $891,000,000
1985 $2,100,239,019 $873,000,000
1984 $2,373,564,549 $864,000,000
1983 $3,619,262,277 $883,500,000
1982 $3,293,496,312 $915,000,000
1981 $2,979,027,966 $889,000,000
1980 $2,679,379,372 $795,000,000
1979 $2,425,064,229 $782,500,000
1978 $2,644,527,822 $735,500,000
1977 $3,249,733,140 $641,500,000
1976 $2,966,042,856 $505,500,000
1975 $2,860,442,750 $465,500,000
1974 $2,375,122,375 $409,850,000
1973 $1,905,917,553 $339,450,000
1972 $1,875,146,587 $311,950,000
1971 $1,539,861,816 $301,000,000
1970 $1,404,720,442 $274,900,000
1969 $1,191,239,047 $259,650,000
1968 $1,083,839,133 $241,350,000
1967 $1,148,014,311 $220,700,000
1966 $1,096,759,561 $190,350,000
1965 $972,159,611 $154,150,000
1964 $897,949,001 $134,400,000
1963 $826,706,669 $125,950,000
1962 $777,727,689 $116,150,000
1961 $748,043,501 $107,700,000
1960 $699,064,380 $99,650,000

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

GDP per capita in Jamaica vs Suriname by year

Jamaica
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Suriname
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Jamaica Suriname
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $8,003 - $7,070 -
2024 $7,754 $12,890 $6,962 $21,801
2023 $7,542 $12,651 $5,522 $21,110
2022 $6,626 $11,888 $6,084 $20,079
2021 $5,626 $10,431 $5,030 $18,458
2020 $5,299 $9,764 $4,755 $16,947
2019 $6,031 $10,845 $6,630 $19,772
2018 $5,977 $10,753 $6,666 $17,855
2017 $5,605 $10,466 $6,050 $17,568
2016 $5,302 $9,948 $5,644 $14,475
2015 $5,339 $9,476 $8,814 $16,544
2014 $4,975 $9,210 $9,108 $16,598
2013 $5,124 $9,101 $9,043 $16,173
2012 $5,341 $8,831 $8,851 $15,185
2011 $5,233 $8,809 $7,950 $13,926
2010 $4,810 $8,521 $7,944 $13,039
2009 $4,428 $8,580 $7,130 $12,393
2008 $5,030 $8,952 $6,576 $12,097
2007 $4,716 $8,893 $5,530 $11,530
2006 $4,417 $8,577 $5,003 $10,803
2005 $4,184 $8,127 $3,453 $10,014
2004 $3,808 $7,854 $2,888 $9,389
2003 $3,550 $7,593 $2,516 $8,552
2002 $3,681 $7,226 $2,202 $8,046
2001 $3,504 $7,019 $1,715 $7,865
2000 $3,453 $6,816 $1,988 $7,535
1999 $3,432 $6,653 $1,898 $7,367
1998 $3,419 $6,543 $2,429 $7,521
1997 $3,297 $6,682 $2,068 $7,422
1996 $2,929 $6,706 $1,963 $7,048
1995 $2,631 $6,657 $1,610 $7,000
1994 $2,203 $6,435 $1,434 $6,973
1993 $2,221 $6,279 $1,022 $6,650
1992 $1,458 $5,664 $969 $6,992
1991 $1,710 $5,485 $1,080 $6,852
1990 $1,930 $5,106 $942 $6,493
1989 $1,865 - $1,329 -
1988 $1,632 - $2,886 -
1987 $1,411 - $2,469 -
1986 $1,191 - $2,271 -
1985 $917 - $2,256 -
1984 $1,048 - $2,261 -
1983 $1,619 - $2,333 -
1982 $1,494 - $2,430 -
1981 $1,370 - $2,368 -
1980 $1,249 - $2,118 -
1979 $1,144 - $2,072 -
1978 $1,262 - $1,928 -
1977 $1,569 - $1,666 -
1976 $1,450 - $1,302 -
1975 $1,417 - $1,190 -
1974 $1,193 - $1,041 -
1973 $972 - $858 -
1972 $971 - $785 -
1971 $809 - $768 -
1970 $748 - $724 -
1969 $642 - $708 -
1968 $591 - $681 -
1967 $633 - $644 -
1966 $612 - $575 -
1965 $549 - $482 -
1964 $514 - $435 -
1963 $480 - $424 -
1962 $458 - $409 -
1961 $447 - $395 -
1960 $424 - $378 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Jamaica's GDP per capita is $8,003, ranking 98/197, compared to $7,070 in Suriname, ranking 104/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Jamaica ranks 121st at $12,890, while Suriname ranks 89th at $21,801.

Economic indicators

Jamaica Suriname
Gross domestic product
$22.7B
2025
$4.52B
2025
GDP rank
125/197
2025
165/197
2025
GDP growth
0.08%
2024-2025
1.79%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$8,003
2025
$7,070
2025
GDP per capita rank
98/197
2025
104/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$12,890
2024
$21,801
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
121/197
2024
89/197
2024
Government debt
$15.4B
2025
$4.79B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
67.7%
2025
105.8%
2025
Government debt per person
$5,419
2025
$7,483
2025
Government debt per person rank
80/185
2025
69/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$8,390
2026
$3,363
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$11.6B
2025
n/a
Income share by richest 10%
29.6%
2021
30.1%
2022
Income share by poorest 10%
2.2%
2021
2.2%
2022
Government expenditure, % of GDP
33.8%
2025
37.3%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
4%
2024-2025
9.21%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate
5.75%
2025
10%
2013
Unemployment rate
3.02%
2023
7.92%
2016
Population
2834177
648096

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Jamaica
Spending

Debt
Suriname
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Jamaica Suriname
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 33.8% 67.7% 37.3% 105.8%
2024 30.1% 62.5% 29.3% 88%
2023 27.7% 66.5% 28.9% 97.7%
2022 27.1% 70.2% 28.2% 111.7%
2021 27.6% 86.3% 32% 115.8%
2020 30.1% 101.3% 30.2% 146.4%
2019 27.5% 87.7% 40.5% 84%
2018 27.5% 88.3% 29.5% 68.6%
2017 26.9% 95.1% 28.7% 73%
2016 26.5% 106.9% 27.9% 75.4%
2015 25.9% 115.9% 29.9% 41.2%
2014 26.1% 134.4% 25.2% 25.2%
2013 26.3% 135.2% 26.2% 27.9%
2012 29.1% 140.3% 25.1% 20.1%
2011 31.2% 135.9% 21% 18.7%
2010 32.3% 137.8% 21% 17.3%
2009 37.7% 138.3% 24% 14.6%
2008 33.9% 123.8% 20.5% 14.8%
2007 30.6% 111.6% 22.6% 16.4%
2006 30.1% 114.2% 22.2% 22.5%
2005 28.6% 121.5% 22.2% 27.1%
2004 30.7% 116.9% 20.8% 29.4%
2003 31.1% 120.1% 19.2% 31.5%
2002 30.1% 115.4% 22.2% 37.4%
2001 27.8% 105.3% 21.8% 37.2%
2000 25.7% 89.5% 24.4% 48.4%
1999 27.9% 80.7% 19.6% 32.3%
1998 27.9% 75.6% 30.3% 21.6%
1997 27.6% 74.4% 21.1% 16.8%
1996 27.4% 70.2% 21.4% 11.8%
1995 22.1% 85.2% 20.2% 16.3%
1994 19.9% 90.4% 19.8% 30.5%
1993 19.6% 106.2% 21.2% 51.1%
1992 18.2% 100.4% 24.4% 64.4%
1991 19.9% 175.1% 26.6% 75.7%
1990 22.6% 128.8% 22.7% 72.9%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1990–1998, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, Jamaica's government spending was $7.68B, accounting for 33.8% of its GDP, while Suriname spent $1.69B, or 37.3% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 67.7% in Jamaica and 105.8% in Suriname, ranking 62/185 and 18/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Jamaica

Suriname
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Jamaica Suriname
2025 -3.77% -9.61%
2024 0.22% -3.36%
2023 0.04% -1.67%
2022 0.26% -2.57%
2021 0.84% -5.66%
2020 -2.87% -12%
2019 0.85% -20.2%
2018 1.1% -8.56%
2017 0.42% -8.62%
2016 -0.18% -10.2%
2015 -0.28% -8.29%
2014 -0.48% -2.65%
2013 0.12% -2.64%
2012 -3.97% -0.38%
2011 -6.24% 2.32%
2010 -6.17% -0.15%
2009 -10.8% 2.03%
2008 -7.32% 2.39%
2007 -3.7% 5.01%
2006 -4.74% 0.59%
2005 -3.22% -3.39%
2004 -4.56% -1.2%
2003 -5.42% -0.11%
2002 -6.55% -3.3%
2001 -4.77% 3.49%
2000 -0.78% -7.76%
1999 -3.41% -4.92%
1998 -5.73% -6.39%
1997 -6.39% -0.32%
1996 -5.25% 3.42%
1995 1.53% 1.17%
1994 2.4% -1.89%
1993 2.37% -4.68%
1992 2.83% -6.45%
1991 3.14% -9.8%
1990 2.06% -3.04%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, Jamaica's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $856M, equivalent to 3.77% of GDP. This compares to Suriname's deficit of $435M, or 9.61% of GDP.

Over the past 36 years, Jamaica recorded a fiscal deficit in 22 of those years, while Suriname ran a deficit in 28 years. On average, Jamaica posted an annual deficit equal to 2.18% of GDP, compared to deficit of 3.59% of GDP for Suriname.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Jamaica

Suriname
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Jamaica Suriname
2025 4% 9.21%
2024 5.41% 16.2%
2023 6.47% 51.6%
2022 10.3% 52.4%
2021 5.86% 59.1%
2020 5.23% 34.9%
2019 3.91% -
2018 3.74% -
2017 4.38% 22%
2016 2.35% 55.4%
2015 3.69% 6.89%
2014 8.27% 3.38%
2013 9.34% 1.92%
2012 6.87% 5.01%
2011 7.56% 17.7%
2010 12.6% 6.94%
2009 9.59% -0.13%
2008 22% 14.7%
2007 9.24% 6.43%
2006 8.56% 11.3%
2005 15.1% 9.9%
2004 13.6% 9.99%
2003 10.1% 23%
2002 7.08% 15.5%
2001 6.8% 38.6%
2000 8.17% 59.4%
1999 5.95% 98.8%
1998 8.63% 19%
1997 9.66% 7.15%

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Over the past 29 years, Jamaica has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 8.08%, compared with 24.3% in Suriname. In 2025, inflation was 4% in Jamaica and 9.21% in Suriname.

Top exports between countries

Jamaica
Export category Export value
Raw materials & minerals $3.13M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $2.5M
Raw agricultural goods $338K
Chemicals & pharma $194K
Machinery & equipment $143K
Textiles & consumer goods $14K
Miscellaneous $11K
Wood & paper products $3K
Animal & marine products $2K
Metals $1K
Suriname
Export category Export value
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $4.03M
Chemicals & pharma $1.18M
Metals $90K
Wood & paper products $45K
Raw agricultural goods $41K
Machinery & equipment $39K
Animal & marine products $11K
Raw materials & minerals $11K
Textiles & consumer goods $6K
Miscellaneous $2K

Balance of trade

Jamaica Suriname
Current account balance
$679M
2024
-$2.48B
2025
Current account balance ranking
53/190
2024
146/190
2025
Current account balance, % of GDP
+3.08%
2024
-54.9%
2025
Goods imports
$6.07B
2024
$1.91B
2025
Goods exports
$1.87B
2024
$2.97B
2025
Service imports
$3.46B
2024
$3.59B
2025
Service exports
$5.26B
2024
$218M
2025
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
52.1%
2019
38.4%
2010
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
38%
2019
52.5%
2010

Economic freedom indices

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

Jamaica Suriname
Economic freedom 68.2 53
Economic freedom ranking 48/197 143/197
Property rights 66.8 40.5
Government integrity 49.4 41
Judicial effectiveness 75.6 46.5
Tax burden 76.3 69.1
Government spending 76 74.3
Fiscal health 92.2 76.6
Business freedom 68.5 56.9
Labor freedom 59.2 69
Monetary freedom 74.2 56.4
Trade freedom 70.4 65.2
Investment freedom 60 20
Financial freedom 50 20

Economic freedom comparison by year

Jamaica
Suriname
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Jamaica Suriname
2026 68.2 53
2025 68.7 50.9
2024 68.1 46.7
2023 68.1 46.1
2022 67.4 48.1
2021 69 46.4
2020 68.5 49.5
2019 68.6 48.1
2018 69.1 48.1
2017 69.5 48
2016 67.5 53.8
2015 67.7 54.2
2014 66.7 54.2
2013 66.8 52
2012 65.1 52.6
2011 65.7 53.1
2010 65.5 52.5
2009 65.2 54.1
2008 65.7 54.3
2007 65.5 54.8
2006 66.4 55.1
2005 67 51.9
2004 66.7 47.9
2003 67 46.9
2002 61.7 48
2001 63.7 44.3
2000 65.5 45.8
1999 64.7 40.1
1998 67.1 39.9
1997 67.7 35.9
1996 66.7 36.7
1995 64.4 -

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Jamaica is 68.2, ranking 48/197, compared to 53 for Suriname, ranking 143/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Jamaica Suriname
Services, % of GDP
59.8%
2025
50.8%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
16.3%
2025
35.1%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
8.74%
2025
6.77%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$22.1B
2025
$3.93B
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$13,090
2025
$21,000
2025
Total reserves including gold
$6.3B
2025
$1.62B
2025
Total reserves ranking
92/177
2025
132/177
2025
Net foreign direct investment
-$304M
2024
-$2.04B
2025
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$305M
2024
$666M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$1.07M
2024
-$9.05M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
11.3%
2024
20.5%
2023
Poverty at national poverty lines
8.2%
2023
70%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
22.6%
2019
36.2%
2010

GDP per capita map

1x

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  3. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  4. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  5. TradeMap (2020–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  6. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1990–1998, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  7. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  8. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  9. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2020, retrieved 2026-07-08)

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.