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

Updated on by Georank team

Suriname has a GDP of $4.42B compared to $552B for the United Arab Emirates, ranking 164/197 and 27/197 by economy size, respectively.

Suriname has $3.86B in government debt (87.3% of GDP), compared to $193B (34.9% 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
2024 $4,416,775,112 $552,324,846,835
2023 $3,472,693,412 $522,622,191,967
2022 $3,791,603,200 $511,403,403,676
2021 $3,107,923,198 $422,441,388,700
2020 $2,911,807,496 $357,161,878,829
2019 $4,016,040,575 $433,926,208,305
2018 $3,996,198,867 $440,560,108,918
2017 $3,591,679,431 $403,365,010,211
2016 $3,317,421,648 $381,717,086,453
2015 $5,126,237,646 $381,973,042,886
2014 $5,240,606,061 $424,935,874,745
2013 $5,145,757,576 $409,632,675,289
2012 $4,980,000,000 $392,793,464,942
2011 $4,422,276,622 $368,881,143,635
2010 $4,368,370,998 $307,736,419,333
2009 $3,875,409,836 $253,547,358,747
2008 $3,532,969,035 $315,474,615,739
2007 $2,936,612,022 $257,916,133,424
2006 $2,626,380,435 $222,116,541,865
2005 $1,793,410,397 $180,617,467,965
2004 $1,484,092,538 $147,824,370,320
2003 $1,274,190,311 $124,346,358,067
2002 $1,093,574,468 $109,816,201,498
2001 $834,279,358 $103,311,640,572
2000 $947,671,970 $104,337,372,362
1999 $886,290,698 $84,445,473,111
1998 $1,110,850,000 $75,674,336,283
1997 $926,422,500 $78,839,008,445
1996 $861,372,806 $73,571,233,996
1995 $691,590,498 $65,743,666,576
1994 $605,492,537 $59,305,093,980
1993 $428,764,706 $55,625,170,253
1992 $404,600,000 $54,239,171,888
1991 $448,100,000 $51,552,165,622
1990 $388,400,000 $50,701,443,748
1989 $542,600,000 $41,464,995,914
1988 $1,161,000,000 $36,275,674,203
1987 $980,000,000 $36,384,908,744
1986 $891,000,000 $33,943,612,095
1985 $873,000,000 $40,603,650,232
1984 $864,000,000 $41,807,954,236
1983 $883,500,000 $42,803,323,345
1982 $915,000,000 $46,622,718,605
1981 $889,000,000 $49,333,424,135
1980 $795,000,000 $43,599,160,050
1979 $782,500,000 $31,225,659,621
1978 $735,500,000 $23,775,764,225
1977 $641,500,000 $24,871,775,165
1976 $505,500,000 $19,213,158,779
1975 $465,500,000 $14,720,728,249
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 (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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
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 $44,119 $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 - $44,854 -
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 (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

Suriname's GDP per capita is $6,962, ranking 102/197, compared to $50,274 in the United Arab Emirates, ranking 24/197. 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
$4.42B
2024
$552B
2024
GDP rank
164/197
2024
27/197
2024
GDP growth
1.72%
2023-2024
3.99%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$6,962
2024
$50,274
2024
GDP per capita rank
102/197
2024
24/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$21,801
2024
$79,229
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
89/197
2024
16/197
2024
Government debt
$3.86B
2024
$193B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
87.3%
2024
34.9%
2024
Government debt per person
$6,077
2024
$17,568
2024
Government debt per person rank
74/185
2024
36/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$3,263
2026
$40,522
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$1.05T
2024
Number of millionaires n/a
339,000
2025
Number of billionaires n/a
6
2025
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
29.2%
2024
21.4%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
16.2%
2023-2024
1.7%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
10%
2013
3.65%
2025
Unemployment rate
7.92%
2016
1.88%
2024
Population
646767
11686438

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
2024 29.2% 87.3% 21.4% 34.9%
2023 29% 98.2% 22.7% 31.9%
2022 29.5% 116.9% 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 (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1991–1998, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Suriname's government spending was $1.29B, accounting for 29.2% of its GDP, while the United Arab Emirates spent $118B, or 21.4% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 87.3% in Suriname and 34.9% in the United Arab Emirates, ranking 37/185 and 146/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Suriname

United Arab Emirates
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Suriname UAE
2024 -2.42% 6.41%
2023 -1.68% 5.82%
2022 -2.69% 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 (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Suriname's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $107M, equivalent to 2.42% 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 3.41% 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
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 (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

Over the past 28 years, Suriname has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 24.9%, compared with 2.75% in the United Arab Emirates. In 2024, inflation was 16.2% in Suriname and 1.7% in the United Arab Emirates.

Top exports between countries

Suriname
Export category Export value
Precious metals & jewellery $597M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $12.9M
Animal & marine products $276K
Machinery & equipment $189K
Metals $131K
Raw materials & minerals $54K
Chemicals & pharma $15K
Wood & paper products $12K
UAE
Export category Export value
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $44.4M
Raw materials & minerals $4.61M
Machinery & equipment $785K
Chemicals & pharma $583K
Textiles & consumer goods $158K
Raw agricultural goods $67K
Wood & paper products $41K
Metals $13K
Precious metals & jewellery $7K
Miscellaneous $1K

Balance of trade

Suriname UAE
Current account balance
$9.31M
2024
$80B
2024
Current account balance ranking
76/190
2024
9/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+0.21%
2024
+14.5%
2024
Goods imports
$1.65B
2024
$400B
2024
Goods exports
$2.58B
2024
$467B
2024
Service imports
$921M
2024
$117B
2024
Service exports
$211M
2024
$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 2026-03-09).

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
$3.61B
2024
$566B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$20,000
2024
$81,530
2024
Total reserves including gold
$1.63B
2024
$238B
2024
Total reserves ranking
132/177
2024
14/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
$26.5M
2024
$31.5B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
-$37.6M
2024
$45.6B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
-$11.1M
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 (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06); U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/suriname/united-arab-emirates | 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. TradeMap (2022–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  6. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1991–1998, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  7. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2020, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  8. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  9. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2025-10-14)

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.