Skip to content

Economy of Jamaica vs Suriname compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Jamaica has a GDP of $22B compared to $4.42B for Suriname, ranking 124/197 and 164/197 by economy size, respectively.

Jamaica has $14B in government debt (63.4% of GDP), compared to $3.86B (87.3% of GDP) in Suriname.

Jamaica vs Suriname GDP by year

Jamaica
Suriname
1x
Year GDP, current $
Jamaica Suriname
2024 $22,014,397,090 $4,416,775,112
2023 $21,418,804,320 $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 (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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
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 (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

Jamaica's GDP per capita is $7,754, ranking 95/197, compared to $6,962 in Suriname, ranking 102/197. 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
$22B
2024
$4.42B
2024
GDP rank
124/197
2024
164/197
2024
GDP growth
-0.54%
2023-2024
1.72%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$7,754
2024
$6,962
2024
GDP per capita rank
95/197
2024
102/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$12,890
2024
$21,801
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
121/197
2024
89/197
2024
Government debt
$14B
2024
$3.86B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
63.4%
2024
87.3%
2024
Government debt per person
$4,917
2024
$6,077
2024
Government debt per person rank
79/185
2024
74/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$6,905
2026
$3,263
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$12.4B
2024
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
30.5%
2024
29.2%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
5.41%
2023-2024
16.2%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
5.75%
2025
10%
2013
Unemployment rate
3.02%
2023
7.92%
2016
Population
2834980
646767

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
2024 30.5% 63.4% 29.2% 87.3%
2023 28% 67.3% 29% 98.2%
2022 28.4% 73.5% 29.5% 116.9%
2021 29% 90.9% 32% 115.8%
2020 29.8% 100.1% 30.2% 146.4%
2019 27.8% 88.6% 40.5% 84%
2018 27.8% 89.2% 29.5% 68.6%
2017 27.3% 96.7% 28.7% 73%
2016 27% 109.1% 27.9% 75.4%
2015 26.3% 117.6% 29.9% 41.2%
2014 26.5% 136.7% 25.2% 25.2%
2013 26.9% 138.1% 26.2% 27.9%
2012 29.6% 143% 25.1% 20.1%
2011 31.7% 138.1% 21% 18.7%
2010 32.9% 140.1% 21% 17.3%
2009 38.6% 141.5% 24% 14.6%
2008 34.4% 125.6% 20.5% 14.8%
2007 31.6% 115.3% 22.6% 16.4%
2006 31.2% 118% 22.2% 22.5%
2005 29.3% 124.5% 22.2% 27.1%
2004 31.5% 120.1% 20.8% 29.4%
2003 32.5% 125.5% 19.2% 31.5%
2002 31.1% 119.1% 22.2% 37.4%
2001 28.5% 107.9% 21.8% 37.2%
2000 26.2% 91.3% 24.4% 48.4%
1999 28.9% 83.5% 19.6% 32.3%
1998 28.3% 75.6% 30.3% 21.6%
1997 28.3% 74.4% 21.1% 16.8%
1996 27.7% 70.2% 21.4% 11.8%
1995 23.1% 85.2% 20.2% 16.3%
1994 21.5% 90.4% 19.8% 30.5%
1993 21.5% 106.2% 21.2% 51.1%
1992 20% 100.4% 24.4% 64.4%
1991 24.5% 175.1% 26.6% 75.7%
1990 25.7% 128.8% 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 (1990–1998, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Jamaica's government spending was $6.72B, accounting for 30.5% of its GDP, while Suriname spent $1.29B, or 29.2% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 63.4% in Jamaica and 87.3% in Suriname, ranking 73/185 and 37/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Jamaica

Suriname
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Jamaica Suriname
2024 0.22% -2.42%
2023 0.04% -1.68%
2022 0.27% -2.69%
2021 0.89% -5.66%
2020 -2.83% -12%
2019 0.85% -20.2%
2018 1.12% -8.56%
2017 0.43% -8.62%
2016 -0.19% -10.2%
2015 -0.28% -8.29%
2014 -0.49% -2.65%
2013 0.12% -2.64%
2012 -4.05% -0.38%
2011 -6.34% 2.32%
2010 -6.27% -0.15%
2009 -11.1% 2.03%
2008 -7.43% 2.39%
2007 -3.82% 5.01%
2006 -4.9% 0.59%
2005 -3.3% -3.39%
2004 -4.68% -1.2%
2003 -5.67% -0.11%
2002 -6.77% -3.3%
2001 -4.89% 3.49%
2000 -0.8% -7.76%
1999 -3.53% -4.92%
1998 -5.82% -6.39%
1997 -6.54% -0.32%
1996 -5.32% 3.42%
1995 1.6% 1.17%
1994 2.59% -1.89%
1993 2.6% -4.68%
1992 3.11% -6.45%
1991 3.87% -9.8%
1990 2.34% -3.04%

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

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

In 2024, Jamaica's government surplus, the difference between spending and revenue, was $49.1M, equivalent to 0.22% of GDP. This compares to Suriname's deficit of $107M, or 2.42% of GDP.

Over the past 35 years, Jamaica recorded a fiscal deficit in 21 of those years, while Suriname ran a deficit in 27 years. On average, Jamaica posted an annual deficit equal to 2.14% of GDP, compared to deficit of 3.4% of GDP for Suriname.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Jamaica

Suriname
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Jamaica Suriname
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 (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

Over the past 28 years, Jamaica has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 8.23%, compared with 24.9% in Suriname. In 2024, inflation was 5.41% in Jamaica and 16.2% in Suriname.

Top exports between countries

Jamaica
Export category Export value
Raw materials & minerals $4.81M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $2.12M
Raw agricultural goods $315K
Chemicals & pharma $149K
Machinery & equipment $84K
Miscellaneous $21K
Textiles & consumer goods $14K
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
Animal & marine products $76K
Raw agricultural goods $63K
Wood & paper products $45K
Machinery & equipment $39K
Raw materials & minerals $11K
Miscellaneous $10K
Textiles & consumer goods $6K

Balance of trade

Jamaica Suriname
Current account balance
$679M
2024
$9.31M
2024
Current account balance ranking
56/190
2024
76/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+3.08%
2024
+0.21%
2024
Goods imports
$6.07B
2024
$1.65B
2024
Goods exports
$1.87B
2024
$2.58B
2024
Service imports
$3.46B
2024
$921M
2024
Service exports
$5.26B
2024
$211M
2024
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 2026-03-09).

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
60%
2024
50.8%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
16.5%
2024
35.1%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
7.97%
2024
6.77%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$20.5B
2024
$3.61B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$12,690
2024
$20,000
2024
Total reserves including gold
$5.63B
2024
$1.63B
2024
Total reserves ranking
93/177
2024
132/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$304M
2024
$26.5M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$305M
2024
-$37.6M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$1.07M
2024
-$11.1M
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 (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06); U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08).

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

Compare countries by 7 more topics

Help us show the world through your eyes

Share a photo of your city and help others discover what it looks like to live there. Your contribution makes our data come alive.

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 (1990–1998, 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.