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Economy of Suriname vs United Arab Emirates compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Suriname has a GDP of $4.52B compared to $552B for the United Arab Emirates, ranking 165/197 and 31/197 by economy size, respectively.

Suriname has $4.79B in government debt (105.8% of GDP), compared to $193B (34.3% of GDP) in the United Arab Emirates.

Suriname vs United Arab Emirates GDP by year

Suriname
United Arab Emirates
1x
Year GDP, current $
Suriname UAE
2025 $4,523,657,797 -
2024 $4,416,775,113 $552,324,919,096
2023 $3,472,693,412 $522,622,268,401
2022 $3,791,603,200 $511,403,404,642
2021 $3,107,923,198 $422,441,282,436
2020 $2,911,807,496 $357,161,776,271
2019 $4,016,040,575 $433,926,218,686
2018 $3,996,198,867 $440,560,003,161
2017 $3,591,679,431 $403,365,056,079
2016 $3,317,421,648 $381,717,208,621
2015 $5,126,237,646 $381,973,135,513
2014 $5,240,606,061 $424,935,834,104
2013 $5,145,757,576 $409,632,574,703
2012 $4,980,000,000 $392,793,559,051
2011 $4,422,276,622 $368,881,033,963
2010 $4,368,370,998 $307,736,348,527
2009 $3,875,409,836 $253,547,358,747
2008 $3,532,969,035 $315,474,615,741
2007 $2,936,612,022 $257,916,148,767
2006 $2,626,380,435 $222,116,532,963
2005 $1,793,410,397 $180,617,467,954
2004 $1,484,092,538 $147,824,249,958
2003 $1,274,190,311 $124,346,476,180
2002 $1,093,574,468 $109,816,091,079
2001 $834,279,358 $103,311,631,797
2000 $947,671,970 $104,337,463,730
1999 $886,290,698 $84,445,399,335
1998 $1,110,850,000 $75,674,384,205
1997 $926,422,500 $78,838,886,862
1996 $861,372,806 $73,571,217,377
1995 $691,590,498 $65,743,604,966
1994 $605,492,537 $59,305,111,228
1993 $428,764,706 $55,625,269,485
1992 $404,600,000 $54,239,188,746
1991 $448,100,000 $51,552,058,250
1990 $388,400,000 $50,701,374,187
1989 $542,600,000 $41,464,966,302
1988 $1,161,000,000 $36,275,613,877
1987 $980,000,000 $36,384,802,310
1986 $891,000,000 $33,943,568,481
1985 $873,000,000 $40,603,631,079
1984 $864,000,000 $41,807,931,453
1983 $883,500,000 $42,803,373,390
1982 $915,000,000 $46,622,715,281
1981 $889,000,000 $49,333,471,895
1980 $795,000,000 $43,599,134,193
1979 $782,500,000 $31,225,557,022
1978 $735,500,000 $23,775,718,541
1977 $641,500,000 $24,871,660,292
1976 $505,500,000 $19,213,212,475
1975 $465,500,000 $14,720,729,969
1974 $409,850,000 $11,651,505,689
1973 $339,450,000 $4,231,243,616
1972 $311,950,000 $1,415,086,929
1971 $301,000,000 $939,893,600
1970 $274,900,000 $685,986,701
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 (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/suriname/united-arab-emirates | CC BY

GDP per capita in Suriname vs United Arab Emirates by year

Suriname
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
United Arab Emirates
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Suriname UAE
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $7,070 - - -
2024 $6,962 $21,801 $50,274 $79,229
2023 $5,522 $21,110 $49,851 $77,955
2022 $6,084 $20,079 $50,760 $75,072
2021 $5,030 $18,458 $44,118 $68,580
2020 $4,755 $16,947 $37,992 $66,791
2019 $6,630 $19,772 $45,939 $79,816
2018 $6,666 $17,855 $47,135 $77,446
2017 $6,050 $17,568 $43,734 $70,282
2016 $5,644 $14,475 $42,721 $69,987
2015 $8,814 $16,544 $44,910 $73,986
2014 $9,108 $16,598 $52,725 $87,478
2013 $9,043 $16,173 $53,247 $87,526
2012 $8,851 $15,185 $53,142 $89,198
2011 $7,950 $13,926 $51,922 $89,665
2010 $7,944 $13,039 $44,795 $85,120
2009 $7,130 $12,393 $37,803 $84,780
2008 $6,576 $12,097 $50,054 $94,628
2007 $5,530 $11,530 $45,855 $100,813
2006 $5,003 $10,803 $44,343 $106,814
2005 $3,453 $10,014 $38,719 $101,301
2004 $2,888 $9,389 $33,377 $98,661
2003 $2,516 $8,552 $29,660 $92,636
2002 $2,202 $8,046 $27,754 $88,467
2001 $1,715 $7,865 $27,745 $90,370
2000 $1,988 $7,535 $29,866 $92,899
1999 $1,898 $7,367 $25,856 $87,658
1998 $2,429 $7,521 $24,889 $90,229
1997 $2,068 $7,422 $27,983 $96,009
1996 $1,963 $7,048 $28,323 $94,620
1995 $1,610 $7,000 $27,003 $93,702
1994 $1,434 $6,973 $25,473 $89,959
1993 $1,022 $6,650 $25,033 $86,330
1992 $969 $6,992 $25,648 $87,509
1991 $1,080 $6,852 $25,691 $87,250
1990 $942 $6,493 $26,710 $88,455
1989 $1,329 - $23,167 -
1988 $2,886 - $21,570 -
1987 $2,469 - $23,113 -
1986 $2,271 - $23,132 -
1985 $2,256 - $29,468 -
1984 $2,261 - $32,012 -
1983 $2,333 - $34,650 -
1982 $2,430 - $39,972 -
1981 $2,368 - $44,855 -
1980 $2,118 - $42,925 -
1979 $2,072 - $34,238 -
1978 $1,928 - $29,379 -
1977 $1,666 - $35,020 -
1976 $1,302 - $31,197 -
1975 $1,190 - $27,117 -
1974 $1,041 - $23,823 -
1973 $858 - $9,696 -
1972 $785 - $3,675 -
1971 $768 - $2,805 -
1970 $724 - $2,394 -
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 (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/suriname/united-arab-emirates | CC BY

Suriname's GDP per capita is $7,070, ranking 104/197, compared to $50,274 in the United Arab Emirates, ranking 25/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Suriname ranks 89th at $21,801, while the United Arab Emirates ranks 16th at $79,229.

Economic indicators

Suriname UAE
Gross domestic product
$4.52B
2025
$552B
2024
GDP rank
165/197
2025
31/197
2024
GDP growth
1.79%
2024-2025
3.99%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$7,070
2025
$50,274
2024
GDP per capita rank
104/197
2025
25/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$21,801
2024
$79,229
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
89/197
2024
16/197
2024
Government debt
$4.79B
2025
$193B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
105.8%
2025
34.3%
2025
Government debt per person
$7,483
2025
$17,568
2024
Government debt per person rank
69/185
2025
37/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$3,363
2026
$40,096
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$1.11T
2025
Number of millionaires n/a
183,000
2026
Number of billionaires n/a
6
2026
Income share by richest 10%
30.1%
2022
20.5%
2018
Income share by poorest 10%
2.2%
2022
2.8%
2018
Government expenditure, % of GDP
37.3%
2025
22.6%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
9.21%
2024-2025
1.3%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate
10%
2013
3.65%
2025
Unemployment rate
7.92%
2016
1.88%
2024
Population
648096
11885001

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Suriname
Spending

Debt
United Arab Emirates
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Suriname UAE
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 37.3% 105.8% 22.6% 34.3%
2024 29.3% 88% 21.4% 34.9%
2023 28.9% 97.7% 22.7% 31.9%
2022 28.2% 111.7% 22.7% 31.5%
2021 32% 115.8% 25.9% 35.7%
2020 30.2% 146.4% 30.5% 30.1%
2019 40.5% 84% 27.4% 25.8%
2018 29.5% 68.6% 25.9% 20.7%
2017 28.7% 73% 27.2% 21.2%
2016 27.9% 75.4% 31.7% 18.6%
2015 29.9% 41.2% 26.4% 15.6%
2014 25.2% 25.2% 31.4% 13.5%
2013 26.2% 27.9% 28.9% 15.3%
2012 25.1% 20.1% 27.8% 20.2%
2011 21% 18.7% 29.6% 20.4%
2010 21% 17.3% 30.4% 18.3%
2009 24% 14.6% 35% 21.1%
2008 20.5% 14.8% 22% 8.95%
2007 22.6% 16.4% 17.7% 8.89%
2006 22.2% 22.5% 15.6% 5.05%
2005 22.2% 27.1% 15.7% 4.48%
2004 20.8% 29.4% 17.7% 4.08%
2003 19.2% 31.5% 20% 3.33%
2002 22.2% 37.4% 21.3% 3.43%
2001 21.8% 37.2% 25.2% 2.69%
2000 24.4% 48.4% 21.8% 3.12%
1999 19.6% 32.3% 24.3% 4.73%
1998 30.3% 21.6% 25.8% 4.18%
1997 21.1% 16.8% 22.6% 2.86%
1996 21.4% 11.8% 27.6% 3.48%
1995 20.2% 16.3% 26.1% 5.06%
1994 19.8% 30.5% 30.1% 5.58%
1993 21.2% 51.1% 31.5% 6.01%
1992 24.4% 64.4% 29.6% 5.31%
1991 26.6% 75.7% 36% 4.97%
1990 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 (1991–1998, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/suriname/united-arab-emirates | CC BY

In 2025, Suriname's government spending was $1.69B, accounting for 37.3% of its GDP, while the United Arab Emirates spent $118B, or 22.6% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 105.8% in Suriname and 34.3% in the United Arab Emirates, ranking 18/185 and 146/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Suriname

United Arab Emirates
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Suriname UAE
2025 -9.61% 5.15%
2024 -3.36% 6.41%
2023 -1.67% 5.82%
2022 -2.57% 9.8%
2021 -5.66% 3.96%
2020 -12% -2.42%
2019 -20.2% 2.5%
2018 -8.56% 3.65%
2017 -8.62% -0.16%
2016 -10.2% -2.95%
2015 -8.29% -6.35%
2014 -2.65% 1.74%
2013 -2.64% 7.99%
2012 -0.38% 8.59%
2011 2.32% 5.05%
2010 -0.15% 0.52%
2009 2.03% -6.13%
2008 2.39% 17.6%
2007 5.01% 17.1%
2006 0.59% 20.2%
2005 -3.39% 16%
2004 -1.2% 6.4%
2003 -0.11% 2.35%
2002 -3.3% -1.24%
2001 3.49% 1.21%
2000 -7.76% 10.7%
1999 -4.92% 1.31%
1998 -6.39% 1%
1997 -0.32% 6.71%
1996 3.42% 0.92%
1995 1.17% 3.58%
1994 -1.89% -1.78%
1993 -4.68% -2.89%
1992 -6.45% 3.34%
1991 -9.8% 3.89%
1990 -3.04% -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/suriname/united-arab-emirates | CC BY

In 2024, Suriname's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $148M, equivalent to 3.36% of GDP. This compares to the United Arab Emirates' surplus of $35.4B, or 6.41% of GDP.

Over the past 34 years, Suriname recorded a fiscal deficit in 26 of those years, while the United Arab Emirates ran a deficit in 8 years. On average, Suriname posted an annual deficit equal to 3.43% of GDP, compared to surplus of 4.25% of GDP for the United Arab Emirates.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Suriname

United Arab Emirates
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Suriname UAE
2025 9.21% 1.3%
2024 16.2% 1.7%
2023 51.6% 1.6%
2022 52.4% 4.8%
2021 59.1% -0.1%
2020 34.9% -2.1%
2019 - -1.9%
2018 - 3.1%
2017 22% 2%
2016 55.4% 1.6%
2015 6.89% 4.1%
2014 3.38% 2.3%
2013 1.92% 1.1%
2012 5.01% 0.7%
2011 17.7% 0.9%
2010 6.94% 0.9%
2009 -0.13% -4.7%
2008 14.7% 12.3%
2007 6.43% 11.1%
2006 11.3% 9.3%
2005 9.9% 6.2%
2004 9.99% 5%
2003 23% 3.1%
2002 15.5% 2.9%
2001 38.6% 2.8%
2000 59.4% 1.3%
1999 98.8% 2.1%
1998 19% 2%
1997 7.15% 3%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/suriname/united-arab-emirates | CC BY

Over the past 29 years, Suriname has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 24.3%, compared with 2.7% in the United Arab Emirates. In 2025, inflation was 9.21% in Suriname and 1.3% in the United Arab Emirates.

Top exports between countries

Suriname
Export category Export value
Precious metals & jewellery $597M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $12.7M
Animal & marine products $276K
Machinery & equipment $186K
Metals $131K
Raw materials & minerals $28K
Chemicals & pharma $25K
Wood & paper products $12K
UAE
Export category Export value
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $38.5M
Machinery & equipment $2.29M
Raw materials & minerals $1.99M
Chemicals & pharma $284K
Textiles & consumer goods $173K
Raw agricultural goods $67K
Metals $10K
Precious metals & jewellery $7K
Wood & paper products $2K
Miscellaneous $1K

Balance of trade

Suriname UAE
Current account balance
-$2.48B
2025
$80B
2024
Current account balance ranking
146/190
2025
9/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-54.9%
2025
+14.5%
2024
Goods imports
$1.91B
2025
$400B
2024
Goods exports
$2.97B
2025
$467B
2024
Service imports
$3.59B
2025
$117B
2024
Service exports
$218M
2025
$181B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
38.4%
2010
92.2%
2023
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
52.5%
2010
106.8%
2023

Economic freedom indices

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

Suriname UAE
Economic freedom 53 71.9
Economic freedom ranking 143/197 29/197
Property rights 40.5 62.9
Government integrity 41 65.3
Judicial effectiveness 46.5 34.4
Tax burden 69.1 99.9
Government spending 74.3 85.1
Fiscal health 76.6 97.6
Business freedom 56.9 84.5
Labor freedom 69 63.2
Monetary freedom 56.4 81.2
Trade freedom 65.2 78.6
Investment freedom 20 50
Financial freedom 20 60

Economic freedom comparison by year

Suriname
United Arab Emirates
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Suriname UAE
2026 53 71.9
2025 50.9 71.6
2024 46.7 71.1
2023 46.1 70.9
2022 48.1 70.2
2021 46.4 76.9
2020 49.5 76.2
2019 48.1 77.6
2018 48.1 77.6
2017 48 76.9
2016 53.8 72.6
2015 54.2 72.4
2014 54.2 71.4
2013 52 71.1
2012 52.6 69.3
2011 53.1 67.8
2010 52.5 67.3
2009 54.1 64.7
2008 54.3 62.6
2007 54.8 62.6
2006 55.1 62.2
2005 51.9 65.2
2004 47.9 67.2
2003 46.9 73.4
2002 48 73.6
2001 44.3 74.9
2000 45.8 74.2
1999 40.1 71.5
1998 39.9 72.2
1997 35.9 71.9
1996 36.7 71.6

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1996–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/suriname/united-arab-emirates | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Suriname is 53, ranking 143/197, compared to 71.9 for the United Arab Emirates, ranking 29/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Suriname UAE
Services, % of GDP
50.8%
2024
54.9%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
35.1%
2024
44.3%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
6.77%
2024
0.77%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$3.93B
2025
$566B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$21,000
2025
$81,640
2024
Total reserves including gold
$1.62B
2025
$292B
2025
Total reserves ranking
132/177
2025
14/177
2025
Net foreign direct investment
-$2.04B
2025
$31.5B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$666M
2024
$45.6B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
-$9.05M
2024
$77.2B
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
20.5%
2023
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
70%
2020
19.5%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
36.2%
2010
26.6%
2023

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/suriname/united-arab-emirates | 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 (1996–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  4. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  5. TradeMap (2022–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  6. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1991–1998, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  7. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2020, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  8. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  9. LivingCost (2026, 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.