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Economy of Nicaragua vs Suriname compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Nicaragua has a GDP of $19.7B compared to $4.42B for Suriname, ranking 131/197 and 164/197 by economy size, respectively.

Nicaragua has $7.71B in government debt (39.1% of GDP), compared to $3.86B (87.3% of GDP) in Suriname.

Nicaragua vs Suriname GDP by year

Nicaragua
Suriname
1x
Year GDP, current $
Nicaragua Suriname
2024 $19,693,982,968 $4,416,775,112
2023 $17,805,842,284 $3,472,693,412
2022 $15,634,572,502 $3,791,603,200
2021 $14,209,020,362 $3,107,923,198
2020 $12,726,422,432 $2,911,807,496
2019 $12,699,023,614 $4,016,040,575
2018 $13,025,221,974 $3,996,198,867
2017 $13,785,893,007 $3,591,679,431
2016 $13,286,093,388 $3,317,421,648
2015 $12,756,696,261 $5,126,237,646
2014 $11,880,438,824 $5,240,606,061
2013 $10,982,988,249 $5,145,757,576
2012 $10,532,017,232 $4,980,000,000
2011 $9,774,329,333 $4,422,276,622
2010 $8,758,602,233 $4,368,370,998
2009 $8,298,702,489 $3,875,409,836
2008 $8,496,967,597 $3,532,969,035
2007 $7,423,375,015 $2,936,612,022
2006 $6,763,672,381 $2,626,380,435
2005 $6,321,324,279 $1,793,410,397
2004 $5,792,932,838 $1,484,092,538
2003 $5,322,228,351 $1,274,190,311
2002 $5,223,727,303 $1,093,574,468
2001 $5,351,752,034 $834,279,358
2000 $5,109,587,050 $947,671,970
1999 $4,856,026,259 $886,290,698
1998 $4,635,347,386 $1,110,850,000
1997 $4,389,973,490 $926,422,500
1996 $4,308,351,903 $861,372,806
1995 $4,140,470,000 $691,590,498
1994 $3,863,185,119 $605,492,537
1993 $1,756,454,248 $428,764,706
1992 $1,792,800,000 $404,600,000
1991 $1,488,804,124 $448,100,000
1990 $1,009,455,484 $388,400,000
1989 $1,013,184,756 $542,600,000
1988 $2,630,900,096 $1,161,000,000
1987 $3,851,200,118 $980,000,000
1986 $2,885,799,994 $891,000,000
1985 $2,683,699,935 $873,000,000
1984 $3,117,599,872 $864,000,000
1983 $2,753,100,058 $883,500,000
1982 $2,454,499,872 $915,000,000
1981 $2,474,700,227 $889,000,000
1980 $2,144,300,006 $795,000,000
1979 $1,567,599,982 $782,500,000
1978 $2,127,699,979 $735,500,000
1977 $2,226,999,874 $641,500,000
1976 $1,836,899,999 $505,500,000
1975 $1,581,599,959 $465,500,000
1974 $1,521,400,012 $409,850,000
1973 $1,092,900,015 $339,450,000
1972 $878,570,045 $311,950,000
1971 $828,569,953 $301,000,000
1970 $778,569,939 $274,900,000
1969 $750,000,003 $259,650,000
1968 $692,859,985 $241,350,000
1967 $657,140,011 $220,700,000
1966 $607,140,010 $190,350,000
1965 $564,290,020 $154,150,000
1964 $347,119,918 $134,400,000
1963 $297,324,163 $125,950,000
1962 $269,283,804 $116,150,000
1961 $244,144,237 $107,700,000
1960 $227,223,322 $99,650,000

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

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

GDP per capita in Nicaragua vs Suriname by year

Nicaragua
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Suriname
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Nicaragua Suriname
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $2,848 $8,709 $6,962 $21,801
2023 $2,609 $8,320 $5,522 $21,110
2022 $2,323 $7,797 $6,084 $20,079
2021 $2,138 $7,119 $5,030 $18,458
2020 $1,938 $6,274 $4,755 $16,947
2019 $1,959 $5,981 $6,630 $19,772
2018 $2,035 $5,935 $6,666 $17,855
2017 $2,183 $6,225 $6,050 $17,568
2016 $2,132 $5,882 $5,644 $14,475
2015 $2,074 $5,449 $8,814 $16,544
2014 $1,958 $5,068 $9,108 $16,598
2013 $1,835 $4,711 $9,043 $16,173
2012 $1,785 $4,508 $8,851 $15,185
2011 $1,680 $4,325 $7,950 $13,926
2010 $1,527 $4,042 $7,944 $13,039
2009 $1,467 $3,880 $7,130 $12,393
2008 $1,524 $4,044 $6,576 $12,097
2007 $1,350 $3,891 $5,530 $11,530
2006 $1,248 $3,658 $5,003 $10,803
2005 $1,183 $3,456 $3,453 $10,014
2004 $1,099 $3,255 $2,888 $9,389
2003 $1,021 $3,046 $2,516 $8,552
2002 $1,014 $2,948 $2,202 $8,046
2001 $1,052 $2,917 $1,715 $7,865
2000 $1,017 $2,806 $1,988 $7,535
1999 $980 $2,672 $1,898 $7,367
1998 $949 $2,497 $2,429 $7,521
1997 $913 $2,418 $2,068 $7,422
1996 $911 $2,325 $1,963 $7,048
1995 $892 $2,187 $1,610 $7,000
1994 $849 $2,064 $1,434 $6,973
1993 $394 $1,998 $1,022 $6,650
1992 $411 $2,003 $969 $6,992
1991 $350 $1,995 $1,080 $6,852
1990 $242.5 $1,979 $942 $6,493
1989 $249.2 - $1,329 -
1988 $662 - $2,886 -
1987 $992 - $2,469 -
1986 $761 - $2,271 -
1985 $724 - $2,256 -
1984 $861 - $2,261 -
1983 $780 - $2,333 -
1982 $714 - $2,430 -
1981 $740 - $2,368 -
1980 $659 - $2,118 -
1979 $495 - $2,072 -
1978 $691 - $1,928 -
1977 $744 - $1,666 -
1976 $633 - $1,302 -
1975 $561 - $1,190 -
1974 $557 - $1,041 -
1973 $413 - $858 -
1972 $341 - $785 -
1971 $331 - $768 -
1970 $321 - $724 -
1969 $319 - $708 -
1968 $304 - $681 -
1967 $297.9 - $644 -
1966 $284 - $575 -
1965 $272.3 - $482 -
1964 $172.7 - $435 -
1963 $152.5 - $424 -
1962 $142.3 - $409 -
1961 $132.9 - $395 -
1960 $127.5 - $378 -

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

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

Nicaragua's GDP per capita is $2,848, ranking 141/197, compared to $6,962 in Suriname, ranking 102/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Nicaragua ranks 138th at $8,709, while Suriname ranks 89th at $21,801.

Economic indicators

Nicaragua Suriname
Gross domestic product
$19.7B
2024
$4.42B
2024
GDP rank
131/197
2024
164/197
2024
GDP growth
3.59%
2023-2024
1.72%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$2,848
2024
$6,962
2024
GDP per capita rank
141/197
2024
102/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$8,709
2024
$21,801
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
138/197
2024
89/197
2024
Government debt
$7.71B
2024
$3.86B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
39.1%
2024
87.3%
2024
Government debt per person
$1,115
2024
$6,077
2024
Government debt per person rank
138/185
2024
74/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$2,318
2026
$3,263
2026
Income share by richest 10%
37.2%
2014
30.1%
2022
Income share by poorest 10%
2%
2014
2.2%
2022
Government expenditure, % of GDP
27.1%
2024
29.2%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
4.6%
2023-2024
16.2%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
6%
2025
10%
2013
Unemployment rate
5.2%
2018
7.92%
2016
Population
7124343
646767

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Nicaragua
Spending

Debt
Suriname
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Nicaragua Suriname
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 27.1% 39.1% 29.2% 87.3%
2023 26% 42.3% 29% 98.2%
2022 28.6% 45.9% 29.5% 116.9%
2021 30% 48.4% 32% 115.8%
2020 28.9% 49.2% 30.2% 146.4%
2019 27.7% 44.2% 40.5% 84%
2018 27.7% 39.1% 29.5% 68.6%
2017 27.3% 34.7% 28.7% 73%
2016 26.8% 30.9% 27.9% 75.4%
2015 25.4% 28.9% 29.9% 41.2%
2014 24.6% 28.7% 25.2% 25.2%
2013 24.2% 28.8% 26.2% 27.9%
2012 24.1% 27.9% 25.1% 20.1%
2011 23.5% 28.8% 21% 18.7%
2010 22.6% 30.3% 21% 17.3%
2009 22.7% 29.3% 24% 14.6%
2008 21.9% 26% 20.5% 14.8%
2007 21.5% 30.9% 22.6% 16.4%
2006 21.4% 51.2% 22.2% 22.5%
2005 21.3% 66.6% 22.2% 27.1%
2004 20.8% 84% 20.8% 29.4%
2003 20.9% 109.5% 19.2% 31.5%
2002 18.7% 110.4% 22.2% 37.4%
2001 19.2% 87.5% 21.8% 37.2%
2000 20.6% 95.2% 24.4% 48.4%
1999 22.1% 99.8% 19.6% 32.3%
1998 18.5% 86.5% 30.3% 21.6%
1997 17.9% 86.4% 21.1% 16.8%
1996 18% - 21.4% 11.8%
1995 17.7% - 20.2% 16.3%
1994 18.4% - 19.8% 30.5%
1993 18.4% - 21.2% 51.1%
1992 18.4% - 24.4% 64.4%
1991 16.8% - 26.6% 75.7%
1990 28.2% - 22.7% 72.9%
1989 - - - -
1988 24.8% - - -
1987 - 266.6% - -
1986 26.1% 159.2% - -
1985 29.9% 218% - -
1984 31.9% 198% - -
1983 33.8% 211.6% - -
1982 49.4% 159.1% - -
1981 39.3% 149.1% - -
1980 30.4% 152.1% - -
1979 20.7% 116.3% - -
1978 17.7% 76.9% - -
1977 19.9% 62.7% - -
1976 16.2% 59.5% - -
1975 17.5% 57.8% - -
1974 15.3% 40% - -
1973 12.8% 32.9% - -
1972 15.1% 30.2% - -
1971 15.1% 31.6% - -
1970 13.2% 35.4% - -
1969 11.1% - - -
1968 10.9% - - -
1967 12.7% - - -
1966 12.2% - - -
1965 10.9% - - -
1964 10.2% - - -
1963 10.5% - - -
1962 10.6% - - -
1961 9.93% - - -
1960 11.2% - - -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1999, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Nicaragua's government spending was $5.34B, accounting for 27.1% of its GDP, while Suriname spent $1.29B, or 29.2% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 39.1% in Nicaragua and 87.3% in Suriname, ranking 136/185 and 37/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Nicaragua

Suriname
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Nicaragua Suriname
2024 2.48% -2.42%
2023 2.31% -1.68%
2022 0.65% -2.69%
2021 -1.26% -5.66%
2020 -2.57% -12%
2019 -1.12% -20.2%
2018 -4.35% -8.56%
2017 -1.75% -8.62%
2016 -1.92% -10.2%
2015 -1.64% -8.29%
2014 -0.89% -2.65%
2013 -0.3% -2.64%
2012 0.22% -0.38%
2011 0.59% 2.32%
2010 0.69% -0.15%
2009 -0.9% 2.03%
2008 0.27% 2.39%
2007 1.88% 5.01%
2006 1.36% 0.59%
2005 1.72% -3.39%
2004 1.69% -1.2%
2003 1.3% -0.11%
2002 2.07% -3.3%
2001 0.34% 3.49%
2000 2.15% -7.76%
1999 -6.86% -4.92%
1998 -2.88% -6.39%
1997 -3.31% -0.32%
1996 -5% 3.42%
1995 -4.62% 1.17%
1994 -5.79% -1.89%
1993 -4.66% -4.68%
1992 -3.8% -6.45%
1991 -3.45% -9.8%
1990 -15.2% -3.04%
1989 - -
1988 -22.4% -
1987 - -
1986 -7.33% -
1985 -11.3% -
1984 -11.8% -
1983 -15.6% -
1982 -20.2% -
1981 -10.6% -
1980 -6.53% -
1979 -5.89% -
1978 -4.44% -
1977 -5.91% -
1976 -2.2% -
1975 -3.53% -
1974 -1.41% -
1973 1.21% -
1972 -2.61% -
1971 -2.33% -
1970 -2.69% -
1969 -1.57% -
1968 -1.21% -
1967 -2.11% -
1966 -1.04% -
1965 0.3% -
1964 0.2% -
1963 0.75% -
1962 -0.29% -
1961 0.04% -
1960 -1.28% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1999, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Nicaragua's government surplus, the difference between spending and revenue, was $489M, equivalent to 2.48% of GDP. This compares to Suriname's deficit of $107M, or 2.42% of GDP.

Over the past 35 years, Nicaragua recorded a fiscal deficit in 20 of those years, while Suriname ran a deficit in 27 years. On average, Nicaragua posted an annual deficit equal to 1.5% of GDP, compared to deficit of 3.4% of GDP for Suriname.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Nicaragua

Suriname
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Nicaragua Suriname
2024 4.6% 16.2%
2023 8.4% 51.6%
2022 10.5% 52.4%
2021 4.9% 59.1%
2020 3.7% 34.9%
2019 5.4% -
2018 4.9% -
2017 3.9% 22%
2016 3.5% 55.4%
2015 4% 6.89%
2014 6% 3.38%
2013 7.1% 1.92%
2012 7.2% 5.01%
2011 8.1% 17.7%
2010 5.5% 6.94%
2009 3.7% -0.13%
2008 19.8% 14.7%
2007 11.1% 6.43%
2006 9.1% 11.3%
2005 9.6% 9.9%
2004 8.5% 9.99%
2003 5.3% 23%
2002 3.8% 15.5%
2001 7.4% 38.6%
2000 11.5% 59.4%
1999 11.2% 98.8%
1998 13% 19%
1997 9.2% 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/nicaragua/suriname | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Nicaragua has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 7.53%, compared with 24.9% in Suriname. In 2024, inflation was 4.6% in Nicaragua and 16.2% in Suriname.

Top exports between countries

Nicaragua
Export category Export value
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $619K
Machinery & equipment $25K
Metals $11K
Raw agricultural goods $4K
Suriname
Export category Export value

Balance of trade

Nicaragua Suriname
Current account balance
$818M
2024
$9.31M
2024
Current account balance ranking
55/190
2024
76/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+4.15%
2024
+0.21%
2024
Goods imports
$10.1B
2024
$1.65B
2024
Goods exports
$6.84B
2024
$2.58B
2024
Service imports
$1.31B
2024
$921M
2024
Service exports
$1.3B
2024
$211M
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
58.1%
2024
38.4%
2010
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
40.5%
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.

Nicaragua Suriname
Economic freedom 53.6 53
Economic freedom ranking 139/197 143/197
Property rights 23.8 40.5
Government integrity 13.4 41
Judicial effectiveness 8.8 46.5
Tax burden 74.5 69.1
Government spending 77.7 74.3
Fiscal health 96.9 76.6
Business freedom 54.4 56.9
Labor freedom 47.3 69
Monetary freedom 69.4 56.4
Trade freedom 67 65.2
Investment freedom 60 20
Financial freedom 50 20

Economic freedom comparison by year

Nicaragua
Suriname
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Nicaragua Suriname
2026 53.6 53
2025 54 50.9
2024 53.4 46.7
2023 54.9 46.1
2022 54.8 48.1
2021 56.3 46.4
2020 57.2 49.5
2019 57.7 48.1
2018 58.9 48.1
2017 59.2 48
2016 58.6 53.8
2015 57.6 54.2
2014 58.4 54.2
2013 56.6 52
2012 57.9 52.6
2011 58.8 53.1
2010 58.3 52.5
2009 59.8 54.1
2008 60.8 54.3
2007 62.7 54.8
2006 63.8 55.1
2005 62.5 51.9
2004 61.4 47.9
2003 62.6 46.9
2002 61.1 48
2001 58 44.3
2000 56.9 45.8
1999 54 40.1
1998 53.8 39.9
1997 53.3 35.9
1996 54.1 36.7
1995 42.5 -

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Nicaragua is 53.6, ranking 139/197, compared to 53 for Suriname, ranking 143/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Nicaragua Suriname
Services, % of GDP
46.8%
2024
50.8%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
27.6%
2024
35.1%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
14.4%
2024
6.77%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$17.4B
2024
$3.61B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$8,270
2024
$20,000
2024
Total reserves including gold
$6.1B
2024
$1.63B
2024
Total reserves ranking
91/177
2024
132/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$1.28B
2024
$26.5M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$1.35B
2024
-$37.6M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$73.8M
2024
-$11.1M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
9.74%
2024
20.5%
2023
Poverty at national poverty lines
24.9%
2016
70%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
24.7%
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/nicaragua/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. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1999, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  4. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  5. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  6. TradeMap (2020–2024, 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.