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Economy of Namibia vs Suriname compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Namibia has a GDP of $13.4B compared to $4.42B for Suriname, ranking 147/197 and 164/197 by economy size, respectively.

Namibia has $9.05B in government debt (67.7% of GDP), compared to $3.86B (87.3% of GDP) in Suriname.

Namibia vs Suriname GDP by year

Namibia
Suriname
1x
Year GDP, current $
Namibia Suriname
2024 $13,372,354,512 $4,416,775,112
2023 $12,408,271,449 $3,472,693,412
2022 $12,569,449,123 $3,791,603,200
2021 $12,402,486,184 $3,107,923,198
2020 $10,583,748,542 $2,911,807,496
2019 $12,541,928,303 $4,016,040,575
2018 $13,682,019,076 $3,996,198,867
2017 $12,895,153,371 $3,591,679,431
2016 $10,722,018,732 $3,317,421,648
2015 $11,335,161,084 $5,126,237,646
2014 $12,435,430,970 $5,240,606,061
2013 $12,043,307,277 $5,145,757,576
2012 $13,042,053,592 $4,980,000,000
2011 $12,523,359,441 $4,422,276,622
2010 $11,431,412,421 $4,368,370,998
2009 $8,938,847,189 $3,875,409,836
2008 $8,607,431,497 $3,532,969,035
2007 $8,839,536,476 $2,936,612,022
2006 $8,001,779,551 $2,626,380,435
2005 $7,248,374,838 $1,793,410,397
2004 $6,609,205,995 $1,484,092,538
2003 $4,926,439,384 $1,274,190,311
2002 $3,349,169,826 $1,093,574,468
2001 $3,557,341,215 $834,279,358
2000 $3,922,232,165 $947,671,970
1999 $3,868,551,730 $886,290,698
1998 $3,873,109,866 $1,110,850,000
1997 $4,154,989,950 $926,422,500
1996 $3,989,163,197 $861,372,806
1995 $3,978,514,206 $691,590,498
1994 $3,666,503,530 $605,492,537
1993 $3,251,188,833 $428,764,706
1992 $3,429,521,699 $404,600,000
1991 $2,996,869,281 $448,100,000
1990 $2,789,921,854 $388,400,000
1989 $2,535,135,798 $542,600,000
1988 $2,495,094,746 $1,161,000,000
1987 $2,300,068,217 $980,000,000
1986 $1,809,048,527 $891,000,000
1985 $1,608,237,350 $873,000,000
1984 $1,951,260,038 $864,000,000
1983 $2,297,400,688 $883,500,000
1982 $2,118,710,248 $915,000,000
1981 $2,249,908,578 $889,000,000
1980 $2,421,990,338 $795,000,000
1979 - $782,500,000
1978 - $735,500,000
1977 - $641,500,000
1976 - $505,500,000
1975 - $465,500,000
1974 - $409,850,000
1973 - $339,450,000
1972 - $311,950,000
1971 - $301,000,000
1970 - $274,900,000
1969 - $259,650,000
1968 - $241,350,000
1967 - $220,700,000
1966 - $190,350,000
1965 - $154,150,000
1964 - $134,400,000
1963 - $125,950,000
1962 - $116,150,000
1961 - $107,700,000
1960 - $99,650,000

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

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

GDP per capita in Namibia vs Suriname by year

Namibia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Suriname
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Namibia Suriname
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $4,413 $11,687 $6,962 $21,801
2023 $4,188 $11,251 $5,522 $21,110
2022 $4,350 $10,663 $6,084 $20,079
2021 $4,413 $9,709 $5,030 $18,458
2020 $3,879 $9,354 $4,755 $16,947
2019 $4,732 $9,609 $6,630 $19,772
2018 $5,309 $9,854 $6,666 $17,855
2017 $5,144 $9,888 $6,050 $17,568
2016 $4,396 $10,200 $5,644 $14,475
2015 $4,774 $10,466 $8,814 $16,544
2014 $5,378 $10,365 $9,108 $16,598
2013 $5,347 $9,699 $9,043 $16,173
2012 $5,943 $9,364 $8,851 $15,185
2011 $5,835 $9,002 $7,950 $13,926
2010 $5,418 $8,538 $7,944 $13,039
2009 $4,303 $8,079 $7,130 $12,393
2008 $4,205 $8,125 $6,576 $12,097
2007 $4,379 $7,875 $5,530 $11,530
2006 $4,017 $7,374 $5,003 $10,803
2005 $3,686 $6,767 $3,453 $10,014
2004 $3,403 $6,480 $2,888 $9,389
2003 $2,569 $5,693 $2,516 $8,552
2002 $1,772 $5,433 $2,202 $8,046
2001 $1,916 $5,196 $1,715 $7,865
2000 $2,157 $5,129 $1,988 $7,535
1999 $2,178 $4,961 $1,898 $7,367
1998 $2,235 $4,852 $2,429 $7,521
1997 $2,460 $4,764 $2,068 $7,422
1996 $2,423 $4,612 $1,963 $7,048
1995 $2,483 $4,509 $1,610 $7,000
1994 $2,356 $4,376 $1,434 $6,973
1993 $2,155 $4,345 $1,022 $6,650
1992 $2,347 $4,452 $969 $6,992
1991 $2,117 $4,192 $1,080 $6,852
1990 $2,037 $3,875 $942 $6,493
1989 $1,967 - $1,329 -
1988 $2,063 - $2,886 -
1987 $1,969 - $2,469 -
1986 $1,599 - $2,271 -
1985 $1,466 - $2,256 -
1984 $1,830 - $2,261 -
1983 $2,214 - $2,333 -
1982 $2,097 - $2,430 -
1981 $2,267 - $2,368 -
1980 $2,468 - $2,118 -
1979 - - $2,072 -
1978 - - $1,928 -
1977 - - $1,666 -
1976 - - $1,302 -
1975 - - $1,190 -
1974 - - $1,041 -
1973 - - $858 -
1972 - - $785 -
1971 - - $768 -
1970 - - $724 -
1969 - - $708 -
1968 - - $681 -
1967 - - $644 -
1966 - - $575 -
1965 - - $482 -
1964 - - $435 -
1963 - - $424 -
1962 - - $409 -
1961 - - $395 -
1960 - - $378 -

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

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

Namibia's GDP per capita is $4,413, ranking 126/197, compared to $6,962 in Suriname, ranking 102/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Namibia ranks 128th at $11,687, while Suriname ranks 89th at $21,801.

Economic indicators

Namibia Suriname
Gross domestic product
$13.4B
2024
$4.42B
2024
GDP rank
147/197
2024
164/197
2024
GDP growth
3.71%
2023-2024
1.72%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$4,413
2024
$6,962
2024
GDP per capita rank
126/197
2024
102/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$11,687
2024
$21,801
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
128/197
2024
89/197
2024
Government debt
$9.05B
2024
$3.86B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
67.7%
2024
87.3%
2024
Government debt per person
$2,988
2024
$6,077
2024
Government debt per person rank
100/185
2024
74/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$6,197
2026
$3,263
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$2.48B
2024
n/a
Income share by richest 10%
47.2%
2015
30.1%
2022
Income share by poorest 10%
1%
2015
2.2%
2022
Government expenditure, % of GDP
39.9%
2024
29.2%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
4.2%
2023-2024
16.2%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
6.5%
2025
10%
2013
Unemployment rate
19.9%
2018
7.92%
2016
Population
3173089
646767

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Namibia
Spending

Debt
Suriname
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Namibia Suriname
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 39.9% 67.7% 29.2% 87.3%
2023 37% 67.2% 29% 98.2%
2022 36.6% 69.4% 29.5% 116.9%
2021 39.3% 69.6% 32% 115.8%
2020 41.5% 64.3% 30.2% 146.4%
2019 37.4% 57.6% 40.5% 84%
2018 36.3% 48.7% 29.5% 68.6%
2017 38.1% 43.8% 28.7% 73%
2016 41.8% 45.8% 27.9% 75.4%
2015 43.7% 42.1% 29.9% 41.2%
2014 41.8% 27.6% 25.2% 25.2%
2013 38.3% 26.1% 26.2% 27.9%
2012 35% 24.6% 25.1% 20.1%
2011 38.5% 27.4% 21% 18.7%
2010 33.5% 16.3% 21% 17.3%
2009 32% 15.9% 24% 14.6%
2008 28.4% 19.1% 20.5% 14.8%
2007 26.1% 19.4% 22.6% 16.4%
2006 27.4% 26.1% 22.2% 22.5%
2005 27.7% 26.9% 22.2% 27.1%
2004 28.4% 29.2% 20.8% 29.4%
2003 31.1% 27.1% 19.2% 31.5%
2002 29.8% 22.2% 22.2% 37.4%
2001 30.7% 24.4% 21.8% 37.2%
2000 30.1% 20.9% 24.4% 48.4%
1999 31.8% 21.8% 19.6% 32.3%
1998 31.3% 19.6% 30.3% 21.6%
1997 30.9% 17.7% 21.1% 16.8%
1996 30.4% 18.7% 21.4% 11.8%
1995 29.6% 18% 20.2% 16.3%
1994 28.7% 16.4% 19.8% 30.5%
1993 32.4% 17.2% 21.2% 51.1%
1992 32.8% 14.1% 24.4% 64.4%
1991 33% 11.8% 26.6% 75.7%
1990 30.2% 12.9% 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 (1990–1992, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Namibia's government spending was $5.34B, accounting for 39.9% of its GDP, while Suriname spent $1.29B, or 29.2% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 67.7% in Namibia and 87.3% in Suriname, ranking 61/185 and 37/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Namibia

Suriname
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Namibia Suriname
2024 -3.59% -2.42%
2023 -3.14% -1.68%
2022 -6.33% -2.69%
2021 -8.68% -5.66%
2020 -8.07% -12%
2019 -5.49% -20.2%
2018 -5.09% -8.56%
2017 -4.99% -8.62%
2016 -9.3% -10.2%
2015 -8.3% -8.29%
2014 -6.44% -2.65%
2013 -4.69% -2.64%
2012 -3.1% -0.38%
2011 -7.09% 2.32%
2010 -4.98% -0.15%
2009 -0.4% 2.03%
2008 3.48% 2.39%
2007 6.01% 5.01%
2006 3.41% 0.59%
2005 -0.31% -3.39%
2004 -2.67% -1.2%
2003 -4.47% -0.11%
2002 -1.38% -3.3%
2001 -2.01% 3.49%
2000 -0.79% -7.76%
1999 -1.88% -4.92%
1998 -2.76% -6.39%
1997 -2.38% -0.32%
1996 -3.7% 3.42%
1995 -1.74% 1.17%
1994 -0.57% -1.89%
1993 -2.73% -4.68%
1992 -2.55% -6.45%
1991 -1.59% -9.8%
1990 1.08% -3.04%

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

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

In 2024, Namibia's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $480M, equivalent to 3.59% of GDP. This compares to Suriname's deficit of $107M, or 2.42% of GDP.

Over the past 35 years, Namibia recorded a fiscal deficit in 31 of those years, while Suriname ran a deficit in 27 years. On average, Namibia posted an annual deficit equal to 3.06% of GDP, compared to deficit of 3.4% of GDP for Suriname.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Namibia

Suriname
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Namibia Suriname
2024 4.2% 16.2%
2023 5.9% 51.6%
2022 6.1% 52.4%
2021 3.6% 59.1%
2020 2.2% 34.9%
2019 3.7% -
2018 4.3% -
2017 6.1% 22%
2016 6.7% 55.4%
2015 3.4% 6.89%
2014 5.3% 3.38%
2013 5.6% 1.92%
2012 6.7% 5.01%
2011 5% 17.7%
2010 4.9% 6.94%
2009 9.5% -0.13%
2008 9.1% 14.7%
2007 6.5% 6.43%
2006 5% 11.3%
2005 2.3% 9.9%
2004 4.1% 9.99%
2003 7.2% 23%
2002 12.7% 15.5%
2001 10.2% 38.6%
2000 10.2% 59.4%
1999 9.4% 98.8%
1998 6.6% 19%
1997 9.7% 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/namibia/suriname | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Namibia has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 6.29%, compared with 24.9% in Suriname. In 2024, inflation was 4.2% in Namibia and 16.2% in Suriname.

Top exports between countries

Namibia
Export category Export value
Metals $42K
Suriname
Export category Export value
Wood & paper products $398K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $12K

Balance of trade

Namibia Suriname
Current account balance
-$1.89M
2024
$9.31M
2024
Current account balance ranking
78/190
2024
76/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-0.01%
2024
+0.21%
2024
Goods imports
$6.77B
2024
$1.65B
2024
Goods exports
$4.67B
2024
$2.58B
2024
Service imports
$2.47B
2024
$921M
2024
Service exports
$1.29B
2024
$211M
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
68%
2024
38.4%
2010
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
41.6%
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.

Namibia Suriname
Economic freedom 60.2 53
Economic freedom ranking 95/197 143/197
Property rights 63.1 40.5
Government integrity 51.5 41
Judicial effectiveness 67.2 46.5
Tax burden 66.4 69.1
Government spending 57.1 74.3
Fiscal health 60.5 76.6
Business freedom 58 56.9
Labor freedom 62.7 69
Monetary freedom 76.1 56.4
Trade freedom 69.8 65.2
Investment freedom 50 20
Financial freedom 40 20

Economic freedom comparison by year

Namibia
Suriname
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Namibia Suriname
2026 60.2 53
2025 58.7 50.9
2024 57.5 46.7
2023 57.7 46.1
2022 59.2 48.1
2021 62.6 46.4
2020 60.9 49.5
2019 58.7 48.1
2018 58.5 48.1
2017 62.5 48
2016 61.9 53.8
2015 59.6 54.2
2014 59.4 54.2
2013 60.3 52
2012 61.9 52.6
2011 62.7 53.1
2010 62.2 52.5
2009 62.4 54.1
2008 61.4 54.3
2007 63.5 54.8
2006 60.7 55.1
2005 61.4 51.9
2004 62.4 47.9
2003 67.3 46.9
2002 65.1 48
2001 64.8 44.3
2000 66.7 45.8
1999 66.1 40.1
1998 66.1 39.9
1997 61.6 35.9
1996 - 36.7

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1996–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09).

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Namibia is 60.2, ranking 95/197, compared to 53 for Suriname, ranking 143/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Namibia Suriname
Services, % of GDP
54.5%
2024
50.8%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
28.9%
2024
35.1%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
7.29%
2024
6.77%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$12.8B
2024
$3.61B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$11,300
2024
$20,000
2024
Total reserves including gold
$3.36B
2024
$1.63B
2024
Total reserves ranking
115/177
2024
132/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$1.93M
2024
$26.5M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$1.97B
2024
-$37.6M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$44.5M
2024
-$11.1M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI n/a
20.5%
2023
Poverty at national poverty lines
17.4%
2015
70%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
25.6%
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/namibia/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 (1996–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  4. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  5. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1990–1992, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  6. TradeMap (2022–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  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.