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Economy of Suriname vs Zambia compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Suriname has a GDP of $4.42B compared to $25.3B for Zambia, ranking 164/197 and 116/197 by economy size, respectively.

Suriname has $3.86B in government debt (87.3% of GDP), compared to $29.1B (114.9% of GDP) in Zambia.

Suriname vs Zambia GDP by year

Suriname
Zambia
1x
Year GDP, current $
Suriname Zambia
2024 $4,416,775,112 $25,303,185,342
2023 $3,472,693,412 $27,577,956,471
2022 $3,791,603,200 $29,163,782,140
2021 $3,107,923,198 $22,096,416,932
2020 $2,911,807,496 $18,137,764,931
2019 $4,016,040,575 $23,308,667,781
2018 $3,996,198,867 $26,311,507,274
2017 $3,591,679,431 $25,873,601,261
2016 $3,317,421,648 $20,958,412,538
2015 $5,126,237,646 $21,251,216,799
2014 $5,240,606,061 $27,141,023,558
2013 $5,145,757,576 $28,037,239,463
2012 $4,980,000,000 $25,503,060,420
2011 $4,422,276,622 $23,459,515,276
2010 $4,368,370,998 $20,265,559,484
2009 $3,875,409,836 $15,328,342,304
2008 $3,532,969,035 $17,910,858,638
2007 $2,936,612,022 $14,056,957,976
2006 $2,626,380,435 $12,756,858,899
2005 $1,793,410,397 $8,331,870,169
2004 $1,484,092,538 $6,221,110,219
2003 $1,274,190,311 $4,901,869,764
2002 $1,093,574,468 $4,193,850,445
2001 $834,279,358 $4,094,441,301
2000 $947,671,970 $3,600,632,111
1999 $886,290,698 $3,404,284,891
1998 $1,110,850,000 $3,537,741,942
1997 $926,422,500 $4,303,288,480
1996 $861,372,806 $3,597,220,962
1995 $691,590,498 $3,806,983,413
1994 $605,492,537 $3,656,806,166
1993 $428,764,706 $3,273,505,344
1992 $404,600,000 $3,182,810,841
1991 $448,100,000 $3,376,806,697
1990 $388,400,000 $3,288,381,797
1989 $542,600,000 $3,994,673,161
1988 $1,161,000,000 $3,728,878,149
1987 $980,000,000 $2,265,250,972
1986 $891,000,000 $1,664,413,508
1985 $873,000,000 $2,252,454,500
1984 $864,000,000 $2,719,518,933
1983 $883,500,000 $3,321,048,451
1982 $915,000,000 $3,871,117,093
1981 $889,000,000 $4,008,126,497
1980 $795,000,000 $3,884,530,854
1979 $782,500,000 $3,353,445,378
1978 $735,500,000 $2,811,032,473
1977 $641,500,000 $2,515,296,940
1976 $505,500,000 $2,742,859,263
1975 $465,500,000 $2,442,672,141
1974 $409,850,000 $2,910,981,262
1973 $339,450,000 $2,434,255,237
1972 $311,950,000 $1,872,416,680
1971 $301,000,000 $1,653,259,341
1970 $274,900,000 $1,788,779,285
1969 $259,650,000 $1,926,399,230
1968 $241,350,000 $1,573,739,371
1967 $220,700,000 $1,340,639,464
1966 $190,350,000 $1,238,999,505
1965 $154,150,000 $1,061,199,576
1964 $134,400,000 $822,639,671
1963 $125,950,000 $704,339,719
1962 $116,150,000 $679,279,729
1961 $107,700,000 $682,359,727
1960 $99,650,000 $698,739,721

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

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

GDP per capita in Suriname vs Zambia by year

Suriname
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Zambia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Suriname Zambia
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $6,962 $21,801 $1,187 $4,215
2023 $5,522 $21,110 $1,331 $4,077
2022 $6,084 $20,079 $1,447 $3,841
2021 $5,030 $18,458 $1,127 $3,503
2020 $4,755 $16,947 $952 $3,157
2019 $6,630 $19,772 $1,259 $3,361
2018 $6,666 $17,855 $1,464 $3,442
2017 $6,050 $17,568 $1,483 $3,392
2016 $5,644 $14,475 $1,239 $3,313
2015 $8,814 $16,544 $1,296 $3,337
2014 $9,108 $16,598 $1,707 $3,441
2013 $9,043 $16,173 $1,821 $3,477
2012 $8,851 $15,185 $1,710 $3,324
2011 $7,950 $13,926 $1,625 $3,228
2010 $7,944 $13,039 $1,451 $3,098
2009 $7,130 $12,393 $1,136 $2,872
2008 $6,576 $12,097 $1,376 $2,708
2007 $5,530 $11,530 $1,119 $2,555
2006 $5,003 $10,803 $1,052 $2,378
2005 $3,453 $10,014 $711 $2,213
2004 $2,888 $9,389 $549 $2,068
2003 $2,516 $8,552 $446 $1,942
2002 $2,202 $8,046 $394 $1,837
2001 $1,715 $7,865 $397 $1,785
2000 $1,988 $7,535 $359 $1,709
1999 $1,898 $7,367 $350 $1,654
1998 $2,429 $7,521 $373 $1,601
1997 $2,068 $7,422 $466 $1,631
1996 $1,963 $7,048 $400 $1,585
1995 $1,610 $7,000 $433 $1,501
1994 $1,434 $6,973 $426 $1,464
1993 $1,022 $6,650 $391 $1,607
1992 $969 $6,992 $389 $1,505
1991 $1,080 $6,852 $423 $1,534
1990 $942 $6,493 $422 $1,522
1989 $1,329 - $526 -
1988 $2,886 - $504 -
1987 $2,469 - $315 -
1986 $2,271 - $238.2 -
1985 $2,256 - $332 -
1984 $2,261 - $413 -
1983 $2,333 - $520 -
1982 $2,430 - $627 -
1981 $2,368 - $670 -
1980 $2,118 - $669 -
1979 $2,072 - $595 -
1978 $1,928 - $514 -
1977 $1,666 - $474 -
1976 $1,302 - $533 -
1975 $1,190 - $490 -
1974 $1,041 - $601 -
1973 $858 - $518 -
1972 $785 - $410 -
1971 $768 - $372 -
1970 $724 - $414 -
1969 $708 - $459 -
1968 $681 - $387 -
1967 $644 - $341 -
1966 $575 - $325 -
1965 $482 - $287.4 -
1964 $435 - $230 -
1963 $424 - $203.2 -
1962 $409 - $202.3 -
1961 $395 - $209.7 -
1960 $378 - $221.6 -

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

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

Suriname's GDP per capita is $6,962, ranking 102/197, compared to $1,187 in Zambia, ranking 169/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Suriname ranks 89th at $21,801, while Zambia ranks 166th at $4,215.

Economic indicators

Suriname Zambia
Gross domestic product
$4.42B
2024
$25.3B
2024
GDP rank
164/197
2024
116/197
2024
GDP growth
1.72%
2023-2024
3.82%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$6,962
2024
$1,187
2024
GDP per capita rank
102/197
2024
169/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$21,801
2024
$4,215
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
89/197
2024
166/197
2024
Government debt
$3.86B
2024
$29.1B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
87.3%
2024
114.9%
2024
Government debt per person
$6,077
2024
$1,365
2024
Government debt per person rank
74/185
2024
134/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$3,263
2026
$1,349
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$7.77B
2024
Income share by richest 10%
30.1%
2022
39.1%
2022
Income share by poorest 10%
2.2%
2022
1.5%
2022
Government expenditure, % of GDP
29.2%
2024
25.5%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
16.2%
2023-2024
15%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
10%
2013
14.3%
2025
Unemployment rate
7.92%
2016
5.86%
2023
Population
646767
22697916

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Suriname
Spending

Debt
Zambia
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Suriname Zambia
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 29.2% 87.3% 25.5% 114.9%
2023 29% 98.2% 27.4% 129.1%
2022 29.5% 116.9% 28.2% 99.5%
2021 32% 115.8% 30.5% 111%
2020 30.2% 146.4% 34% 140%
2019 40.5% 84% 29.8% 103.3%
2018 29.5% 68.6% 27.7% 81.2%
2017 28.7% 73% 25% 66.6%
2016 27.9% 75.4% 23.9% 61.2%
2015 29.9% 41.2% 27.6% 61.9%
2014 25.2% 25.2% 24.3% 33.9%
2013 26.2% 27.9% 24% 25.9%
2012 25.1% 20.1% 21.9% 24.9%
2011 21% 18.7% 19.5% 20.8%
2010 21% 17.3% 18.1% 18.9%
2009 24% 14.6% 17.8% 20.5%
2008 20.5% 14.8% 19.5% 19.2%
2007 22.6% 16.4% 19.9% 21.9%
2006 22.2% 22.5% 19.7% 25%
2005 22.2% 27.1% 22.5% 75.7%
2004 20.8% 29.4% 23.3% 129.9%
2003 19.2% 31.5% 27.3% 159.5%
2002 22.2% 37.4% 27.6% 180.2%
2001 21.8% 37.2% 28% 210.2%
2000 24.4% 48.4% 21.4% 261%
1999 19.6% 32.3% - -
1998 30.3% 21.6% - -
1997 21.1% 16.8% - -
1996 21.4% 11.8% - -
1995 20.2% 16.3% - -
1994 19.8% 30.5% - -
1993 21.2% 51.1% - -
1992 24.4% 64.4% - -
1991 26.6% 75.7% - -
1990 22.7% 72.9% - -

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

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

In 2024, Suriname's government spending was $1.29B, accounting for 29.2% of its GDP, while Zambia spent $6.45B, or 25.5% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 87.3% in Suriname and 114.9% in Zambia, ranking 37/185 and 13/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Suriname

Zambia
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Suriname Zambia
2024 -2.42% -3.32%
2023 -1.68% -5.48%
2022 -2.69% -7.82%
2021 -5.66% -8.13%
2020 -12% -13.8%
2019 -20.2% -9.41%
2018 -8.56% -8.31%
2017 -8.62% -7.5%
2016 -10.2% -5.69%
2015 -8.29% -8.88%
2014 -2.65% -5.43%
2013 -2.64% -6.4%
2012 -0.38% -3.16%
2011 2.32% -1.78%
2010 -0.15% -2.43%
2009 2.03% -2.06%
2008 2.39% -0.67%
2007 5.01% -1.04%
2006 0.59% 16.9%
2005 -3.39% -2.37%
2004 -1.2% -2.51%
2003 -0.11% -5.31%
2002 -3.3% -4.5%
2001 3.49% -5.89%
2000 -7.76% 1.16%
1999 -4.92% -
1998 -6.39% -
1997 -0.32% -
1996 3.42% -
1995 1.17% -
1994 -1.89% -
1993 -4.68% -
1992 -6.45% -
1991 -9.8% -
1990 -3.04% -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/suriname/zambia | 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 Zambia's deficit of $840M, or 3.32% of GDP.

Over the past 25 years, Suriname recorded a fiscal deficit in 19 of those years, while Zambia ran a deficit in 23 years. On average, Suriname posted an annual deficit equal to 3.44% of GDP, compared to deficit of 4.15% of GDP for Zambia.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Suriname

Zambia
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Suriname Zambia
2024 16.2% 15%
2023 51.6% 10.9%
2022 52.4% 11%
2021 59.1% 22%
2020 34.9% 15.7%
2019 - 9.2%
2018 - 7.5%
2017 22% 6.6%
2016 55.4% 17.9%
2015 6.89% 10.1%
2014 3.38% 7.8%
2013 1.92% 7%
2012 5.01% 6.6%
2011 17.7% 8.7%
2010 6.94% 8.5%
2009 -0.13% 13.4%
2008 14.7% 12.4%
2007 6.43% 10.7%
2006 11.3% 9%
2005 9.9% 18.3%
2004 9.99% 18%
2003 23% 21.4%
2002 15.5% 22.2%
2001 38.6% 21.4%
2000 59.4% 24.1%
1999 98.8% 23.9%
1998 19% 22.7%
1997 7.15% 21.4%

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/zambia | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Suriname has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 24.9%, compared with 14.4% in Zambia. In 2024, inflation was 16.2% in Suriname and 15% in Zambia.

Balance of trade

Suriname Zambia
Current account balance
$9.31M
2024
-$487M
2024
Current account balance ranking
76/190
2024
106/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+0.21%
2024
-1.93%
2024
Goods imports
$1.65B
2024
$10.1B
2024
Goods exports
$2.58B
2024
$11.4B
2024
Service imports
$921M
2024
$1.94B
2024
Service exports
$211M
2024
$1.38B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
38.4%
2010
27.6%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
52.5%
2010
35%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Suriname Zambia
Economic freedom 53 51.9
Economic freedom ranking 143/197 152/197
Property rights 40.5 43.9
Government integrity 41 39.3
Judicial effectiveness 46.5 45
Tax burden 69.1 74.3
Government spending 74.3 78.1
Fiscal health 76.6 30.9
Business freedom 56.9 53.4
Labor freedom 69 48.8
Monetary freedom 56.4 66.6
Trade freedom 65.2 62.8
Investment freedom 20 40
Financial freedom 20 40

Economic freedom comparison by year

Suriname
Zambia
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Suriname Zambia
2026 53 51.9
2025 50.9 50.9
2024 46.7 48.4
2023 46.1 47.8
2022 48.1 48.7
2021 46.4 50.4
2020 49.5 53.5
2019 48.1 53.6
2018 48.1 54.3
2017 48 55.8
2016 53.8 58.8
2015 54.2 58.7
2014 54.2 60.4
2013 52 58.7
2012 52.6 58.3
2011 53.1 59.7
2010 52.5 58
2009 54.1 56.6
2008 54.3 56.2
2007 54.8 56.2
2006 55.1 56.8
2005 51.9 55
2004 47.9 54.9
2003 46.9 55.3
2002 48 59.6
2001 44.3 59.5
2000 45.8 62.8
1999 40.1 64.2
1998 39.9 62.7
1997 35.9 62.1
1996 36.7 59.6
1995 - 55.1

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Suriname is 53, ranking 143/197, compared to 51.9 for Zambia, ranking 152/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Suriname Zambia
Services, % of GDP
50.8%
2024
57.2%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
35.1%
2024
35.2%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
6.77%
2024
2.83%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$3.61B
2024
$25.9B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$20,000
2024
$3,850
2024
Total reserves including gold
$1.63B
2024
$4.09B
2024
Total reserves ranking
132/177
2024
106/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
$26.5M
2024
-$1.32B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
-$37.6M
2024
$2.36B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
-$11.1M
2024
$311M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
20.5%
2023
16.9%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
70%
2020
60%
2022
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
36.2%
2010
23.8%
2024

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/zambia | 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 (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  4. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  5. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  6. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2025-10-14)
  7. 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.