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Economy of Saint Lucia vs Suriname compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Saint Lucia has a GDP of $2.55B compared to $4.42B for Suriname, ranking 173/197 and 164/197 by economy size, respectively.

Saint Lucia has $1.97B in government debt (77.2% of GDP), compared to $3.86B (87.3% of GDP) in Suriname.

Saint Lucia vs Suriname GDP by year

Saint Lucia
Suriname
1x
Year GDP, current $
Saint Lucia Suriname
2024 $2,549,062,963 $4,416,775,112
2023 $2,430,166,667 $3,472,693,412
2022 $2,342,714,815 $3,791,603,200
2021 $1,867,185,185 $3,107,923,198
2020 $1,499,274,074 $2,911,807,496
2019 $2,095,344,444 $4,016,040,575
2018 $2,060,955,556 $3,996,198,867
2017 $1,998,503,704 $3,591,679,431
2016 $1,868,544,444 $3,317,421,648
2015 $1,807,640,741 $5,126,237,646
2014 $1,749,185,185 $5,240,606,061
2013 $1,660,392,593 $5,145,757,576
2012 $1,598,207,407 $4,980,000,000
2011 $1,568,370,370 $4,422,276,622
2010 $1,482,385,185 $4,368,370,998
2009 $1,401,507,889 $3,875,409,836
2008 $1,437,731,111 $3,532,969,035
2007 $1,336,088,815 $2,936,612,022
2006 $1,268,319,185 $2,626,380,435
2005 $1,135,555,556 $1,793,410,397
2004 $1,066,666,667 $1,484,092,538
2003 $987,407,407 $1,274,190,311
2002 $900,000,000 $1,093,574,468
2001 $892,592,593 $834,279,358
2000 $932,592,593 $947,671,970
1999 $921,851,852 $886,290,698
1998 $877,407,407 $1,110,850,000
1997 $805,925,926 $926,422,500
1996 $788,888,889 $861,372,806
1995 $762,962,963 $691,590,498
1994 $713,703,704 $605,492,537
1993 $684,814,815 $428,764,706
1992 $674,074,074 $404,600,000
1991 $613,703,704 $448,100,000
1990 $579,629,630 $388,400,000
1989 $486,666,667 $542,600,000
1988 $429,629,630 $1,161,000,000
1987 $375,555,556 $980,000,000
1986 $340,000,000 $891,000,000
1985 $284,444,444 $873,000,000
1984 $251,481,481 $864,000,000
1983 $197,037,037 $883,500,000
1982 $183,333,333 $915,000,000
1981 $194,444,444 $889,000,000
1980 $170,370,370 $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/saint-lucia/suriname | CC BY

GDP per capita in Saint Lucia vs Suriname by year

Saint Lucia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Suriname
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Saint Lucia Suriname
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $14,182 $27,567 $6,962 $21,801
2023 $13,555 $25,975 $5,522 $21,110
2022 $13,104 $24,599 $6,084 $20,079
2021 $10,459 $19,101 $5,030 $18,458
2020 $8,411 $14,912 $4,755 $16,947
2019 $11,794 $18,710 $6,630 $19,772
2018 $11,643 $17,433 $6,666 $17,855
2017 $11,333 $16,131 $6,050 $17,568
2016 $10,638 $15,307 $5,644 $14,475
2015 $10,335 $14,353 $8,814 $16,544
2014 $10,045 $14,403 $9,108 $16,598
2013 $9,577 $14,010 $9,043 $16,173
2012 $9,260 $13,443 $8,851 $15,185
2011 $9,129 $13,471 $7,950 $13,926
2010 $8,674 $12,718 $7,944 $13,039
2009 $8,251 $12,600 $7,130 $12,393
2008 $8,517 $12,969 $6,576 $12,097
2007 $7,964 $12,199 $5,530 $11,530
2006 $7,611 $11,758 $5,003 $10,803
2005 $6,863 $10,818 $3,453 $10,014
2004 $6,495 $10,610 $2,888 $9,389
2003 $6,059 $9,707 $2,516 $8,552
2002 $5,568 $9,205 $2,202 $8,046
2001 $5,570 $9,106 $1,715 $7,865
2000 $5,880 $9,314 $1,988 $7,535
1999 $5,883 $9,214 $1,898 $7,367
1998 $5,673 $8,965 $2,429 $7,521
1997 $5,282 $8,456 $2,068 $7,422
1996 $5,244 $8,490 $1,963 $7,048
1995 $5,148 $8,222 $1,610 $7,000
1994 $4,892 $8,041 $1,434 $6,973
1993 $4,765 $7,865 $1,022 $6,650
1992 $4,760 $7,753 $969 $6,992
1991 $4,399 $7,127 $1,080 $6,852
1990 $4,205 $6,951 $942 $6,493
1989 $3,565 - $1,329 -
1988 $3,182 - $2,886 -
1987 $2,819 - $2,469 -
1986 $2,591 - $2,271 -
1985 $2,202 - $2,256 -
1984 $1,979 - $2,261 -
1983 $1,576 - $2,333 -
1982 $1,489 - $2,430 -
1981 $1,605 - $2,368 -
1980 $1,428 - $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/saint-lucia/suriname | CC BY

Saint Lucia's GDP per capita is $14,182, ranking 70/197, compared to $6,962 in Suriname, ranking 102/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Saint Lucia ranks 75th at $27,567, while Suriname ranks 89th at $21,801.

Economic indicators

Saint Lucia Suriname
Gross domestic product
$2.55B
2024
$4.42B
2024
GDP rank
173/197
2024
164/197
2024
GDP growth
3.89%
2023-2024
1.72%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$14,182
2024
$6,962
2024
GDP per capita rank
70/197
2024
102/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$27,567
2024
$21,801
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
75/197
2024
89/197
2024
Government debt
$1.97B
2024
$3.86B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
77.2%
2024
87.3%
2024
Government debt per person
$10,952
2024
$6,077
2024
Government debt per person rank
52/185
2024
74/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$10,412
2026
$3,263
2026
Income share by richest 10%
34.1%
2015
30.1%
2022
Income share by poorest 10%
2.1%
2015
2.2%
2022
Government expenditure, % of GDP
24.5%
2024
29.2%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
-0.11%
2023-2024
16.2%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate n/a
10%
2013
Unemployment rate
10.1%
2024
7.92%
2016
Population
180638
646767

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Saint Lucia
Spending

Debt
Suriname
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Saint Lucia Suriname
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 24.5% 77.2% 29.2% 87.3%
2023 25.6% 76.6% 29% 98.2%
2022 23% 74.4% 29.5% 116.9%
2021 27.4% 87% 32% 115.8%
2020 34.9% 100% 30.2% 146.4%
2019 25.1% 62.1% 40.5% 84%
2018 23.2% 60.5% 29.5% 68.6%
2017 23.3% 60.4% 28.7% 73%
2016 23% 61.3% 27.9% 75.4%
2015 23.7% 61.1% 29.9% 41.2%
2014 23.6% 62.4% 25.2% 25.2%
2013 25.4% 62.1% 26.2% 27.9%
2012 28% 60.8% 25.1% 20.1%
2011 27% 55.2% 21% 18.7%
2010 26% 53% 21% 17.3%
2009 24.5% 51% 24% 14.6%
2008 22.2% 46.7% 20.5% 14.8%
2007 22.6% 49.1% 22.6% 16.4%
2006 24.7% 48.6% 22.2% 22.5%
2005 26% 51.9% 22.2% 27.1%
2004 22.9% 49.6% 20.8% 29.4%
2003 22.9% 45.6% 19.2% 31.5%
2002 23.6% 48.8% 22.2% 37.4%
2001 22.1% 38.1% 21.8% 37.2%
2000 20.7% 32.5% 24.4% 48.4%
1999 20.9% 28.9% 19.6% 32.3%
1998 18.8% 29.4% 30.3% 21.6%
1997 19.5% 27.2% 21.1% 16.8%
1996 18.9% 24.1% 21.4% 11.8%
1995 19.2% 22.9% 20.2% 16.3%
1994 19.1% 23.8% 19.8% 30.5%
1993 21.8% 22.9% 21.2% 51.1%
1992 18.4% 22.2% 24.4% 64.4%
1991 18.4% 19.8% 26.6% 75.7%
1990 16.7% 17% 22.7% 72.9%
1989 19% 18.1% - -
1988 18.2% 18.6% - -
1987 19.9% 19.6% - -
1986 21.1% 17.2% - -
1985 20.4% 17.1% - -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1985–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/saint-lucia/suriname | CC BY

In 2024, Saint Lucia's government spending was $625M, accounting for 24.5% of its GDP, while Suriname spent $1.29B, or 29.2% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 77.2% in Saint Lucia and 87.3% in Suriname, ranking 46/185 and 37/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Saint Lucia

Suriname
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Saint Lucia Suriname
2024 -2.13% -2.42%
2023 -3.09% -1.68%
2022 -1.67% -2.69%
2021 -5.1% -5.66%
2020 -12% -12%
2019 -3.51% -20.2%
2018 -1.03% -8.56%
2017 -1.14% -8.62%
2016 -0.79% -10.2%
2015 -2.35% -8.29%
2014 -3.08% -2.65%
2013 -4.84% -2.64%
2012 -7.62% -0.38%
2011 -5.38% 2.32%
2010 -4.17% -0.15%
2009 -2.67% 2.03%
2008 -0.72% 2.39%
2007 -1.62% 5.01%
2006 -5.07% 0.59%
2005 -6.18% -3.39%
2004 -2.63% -1.2%
2003 -3.23% -0.11%
2002 -3.1% -3.3%
2001 -3.08% 3.49%
2000 -1.16% -7.76%
1999 1.62% -4.92%
1998 2.25% -6.39%
1997 -1.13% -0.32%
1996 -0.58% 3.42%
1995 -0.13% 1.17%
1994 -0.02% -1.89%
1993 -0.26% -4.68%
1992 -0.66% -6.45%
1991 -0.43% -9.8%
1990 0.29% -3.04%
1989 0.89% -
1988 2.02% -
1987 0.56% -
1986 -1.61% -
1985 -1.5% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1985–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/saint-lucia/suriname | CC BY

In 2024, Saint Lucia's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $54.2M, equivalent to 2.13% of GDP. This compares to Suriname's deficit of $107M, or 2.42% of GDP.

Over the past 35 years, Saint Lucia recorded a fiscal deficit in 32 of those years, while Suriname ran a deficit in 27 years. On average, Saint Lucia posted an annual deficit equal to 2.47% of GDP, compared to deficit of 3.4% of GDP for Suriname.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Saint Lucia

Suriname
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Saint Lucia Suriname
2024 -0.11% 16.2%
2023 4.07% 51.6%
2022 6.38% 52.4%
2021 2.41% 59.1%
2020 -1.76% 34.9%
2019 0.54% -
2018 1.94% -
2017 0.1% 22%
2016 -3.08% 55.4%
2015 -0.98% 6.89%
2014 3.52% 3.38%
2013 1.47% 1.92%
2012 4.18% 5.01%
2011 2.77% 17.7%
2010 3.25% 6.94%
2009 -0.16% -0.13%
2008 5.55% 14.7%
2007 2.82% 6.43%
2006 2.4% 11.3%
2005 3.9% 9.9%
2004 1.46% 9.99%
2003 1.03% 23%
2002 -0.26% 15.5%
2001 5.31% 38.6%
2000 3.71% 59.4%
1999 3.5% 98.8%
1998 3.2% 19%
1997 -0.006% 7.15%

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/economy/saint-lucia/suriname | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Saint Lucia has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.04%, compared with 24.9% in Suriname. In 2024, inflation was -0.11% in Saint Lucia and 16.2% in Suriname.

Top exports between countries

Saint Lucia
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $87K
Wood & paper products $85K
Raw materials & minerals $30K
Textiles & consumer goods $24K
Metals $22K
Chemicals & pharma $20K
Suriname
Export category Export value
Chemicals & pharma $343K
Metals $66K
Machinery & equipment $54K
Animal & marine products $47K
Textiles & consumer goods $19K

Balance of trade

Saint Lucia Suriname
Current account balance
-$64.1M
2024
$9.31M
2024
Current account balance ranking
86/190
2024
76/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-2.52%
2024
+0.21%
2024
Goods imports
$848M
2024
$1.65B
2024
Goods exports
$137M
2024
$2.58B
2024
Service imports
$598M
2024
$921M
2024
Service exports
$1.46B
2024
$211M
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP n/a
38.4%
2010
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
19%
2025
52.5%
2010

Economic freedom indices

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

Saint Lucia Suriname
Economic freedom 67.5 53
Economic freedom ranking 57/197 143/197
Property rights 64.3 40.5
Government integrity 59.7 41
Judicial effectiveness 77.3 46.5
Tax burden 77.7 69.1
Government spending 82.6 74.3
Fiscal health 80 76.6
Business freedom 71.9 56.9
Labor freedom 65.2 69
Monetary freedom 81 56.4
Trade freedom 60 65.2
Investment freedom 50 20
Financial freedom 40 20

Economic freedom comparison by year

Saint Lucia
Suriname
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Saint Lucia Suriname
2026 67.5 53
2025 67 50.9
2024 62.2 46.7
2023 60.7 46.1
2022 64.3 48.1
2021 67.5 46.4
2020 68.2 49.5
2019 68.7 48.1
2018 67.6 48.1
2017 65 48
2016 70 53.8
2015 70.2 54.2
2014 70.7 54.2
2013 70.4 52
2012 71.3 52.6
2011 70.8 53.1
2010 70.5 52.5
2009 68.8 54.1
2008 - 54.3
2007 - 54.8
2006 - 55.1
2005 - 51.9
2004 - 47.9
2003 - 46.9
2002 - 48
2001 - 44.3
2000 - 45.8
1999 - 40.1
1998 - 39.9
1997 - 35.9
1996 - 36.7

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

GeoRank.org/economy/saint-lucia/suriname | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Saint Lucia is 67.5, ranking 57/197, compared to 53 for Suriname, ranking 143/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Saint Lucia Suriname
Services, % of GDP
75.9%
2024
50.8%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
9.75%
2024
35.1%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
1.13%
2024
6.77%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$2.27B
2024
$3.61B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$24,840
2024
$20,000
2024
Total reserves including gold
$406M
2024
$1.63B
2024
Total reserves ranking
162/177
2024
132/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$187M
2024
$26.5M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$187M
2024
-$37.6M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
-$350K
2024
-$11.1M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
3.42%
2024
20.5%
2023
Poverty at national poverty lines
25%
2016
70%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP n/a
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/saint-lucia/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 (1985–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  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.