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Guyana vs. Suriname

Introduction

GuyanaSuriname
BackgroundOriginally a Dutch colony in the 17th century, by 1815 Guyana had become a British possession. The abolition of slavery led to settlement of urban areas by former slaves and the importation of indentured servants from India to work the sugar plantations. The resulting ethnocultural divide has persisted and has led to turbulent politics. Guyana achieved independence from the UK in 1966, and since then it has been ruled mostly by socialist-oriented governments. In 1992, Cheddi JAGAN was elected president in what is considered the country's first free and fair election since independence. After his death five years later, his wife, Janet JAGAN, became president but resigned in 1999 due to poor health. Her successor, Bharrat JAGDEO, was elected in 2001 and again in 2006. Early elections held in May 2015 resulted in the first change in governing party and the replacement of President Donald RAMOTAR by current President David GRANGER. After a December 2018 no-confidence vote against the GRANGER government, national elections will be held before the scheduled spring 2020 date.First explored by the Spaniards in the 16th century and then settled by the English in the mid-17th century, Suriname became a Dutch colony in 1667. With the abolition of African slavery in 1863, workers were brought in from India and Java. The Netherlands granted the colony independence in 1975. Five years later the civilian government was replaced by a military regime that soon declared Suriname a socialist republic. It continued to exert control through a succession of nominally civilian administrations until 1987, when international pressure finally forced a democratic election. In 1990, the military overthrew the civilian leadership, but a democratically elected government - a four-party coalition - returned to power in 1991. The coalition expanded to eight parties in 2005 and ruled until August 2010, when voters returned former military leader Desire BOUTERSE and his opposition coalition to power. President BOUTERSE was reelected unopposed in 2015.

Geography

GuyanaSuriname
LocationNorthern South America, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between Suriname and VenezuelaNorthern South America, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between French Guiana and Guyana
Geographic coordinates5 00 N, 59 00 W4 00 N, 56 00 W
Map referencesSouth AmericaSouth America
Areatotal: 214,969 sq km

land: 196,849 sq km

water: 18,120 sq km
total: 163,820 sq km

land: 156,000 sq km

water: 7,820 sq km
Area - comparativeslightly smaller than Idaho; almost twice the size of Tennesseeslightly larger than Georgia
Land boundariestotal: 2,933 km

border countries (3): Brazil 1308 km, Suriname 836 km, Venezuela 789 km
total: 1,907 km

border countries (3): Brazil 515 km, French Guiana 556 km, Guyana 836 km
Coastline459 km386 km
Maritime claimsterritorial sea: 12 nm

exclusive economic zone: 200 nm

continental shelf: 200 nm or to the outer edge of the continental margin
territorial sea: 12 nm

exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
Climatetropical; hot, humid, moderated by northeast trade winds; two rainy seasons (May to August, November to January)tropical; moderated by trade winds
Terrainmostly rolling highlands; low coastal plain; savanna in southmostly rolling hills; narrow coastal plain with swamps
Elevation extremeshighest point: Laberintos del Norte on Mount Roraima 2,775 m

lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m

mean elevation: 207 m
highest point: Juliana Top 1,230 m

lowest point: unnamed location in the coastal plain -2 m

mean elevation: 246 m
Natural resourcesbauxite, gold, diamonds, hardwood timber, shrimp, fishtimber, hydropower, fish, kaolin, shrimp, bauxite, gold, and small amounts of nickel, copper, platinum, iron ore
Land useagricultural land: 8.4% (2018 est.)

arable land: 2.1% (2018 est.)

permanent crops: 0.1% (2018 est.)

permanent pasture: 6.2% (2018 est.)

forest: 77.4% (2018 est.)

other: 14.2% (2018 est.)
agricultural land: 0.5% (2018 est.)

arable land: 0.4% (2018 est.)

permanent crops: 0% (2018 est.)

permanent pasture: 0.1% (2018 est.)

forest: 94.6% (2018 est.)

other: 4.9% (2018 est.)
Irrigated land1,430 sq km (2012)570 sq km (2012)
Natural hazardsflash flood threat during rainy seasonsflooding
Environment - current issueswater pollution from sewage and agricultural and industrial chemicals; deforestationdeforestation as timber is cut for export; pollution of inland waterways by small-scale mining activities
Environment - international agreementsparty to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Climate Change-Paris Agreement, Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping-London Protocol, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 2006

signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Climate Change-Paris Agreement, Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping-London Convention, Marine Dumping-London Protocol, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 2006, Wetlands, Whaling

signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography - notethe third-smallest country in South America after Suriname and Uruguay; substantial portions of its western and eastern territories are claimed by Venezuela and Suriname respectively; contains some of the largest unspoiled rainforests on the continentsmallest independent country on South American continent; mostly tropical rain forest; great diversity of flora and fauna that, for the most part, is increasingly threatened by new development; relatively small population, mostly along the coast
Total renewable water resources271 billion cubic meters (2017 est.)99 billion cubic meters (2017 est.)
Population distributionpopulation is heavily concentrated in the northeast in and around Georgetown, with noteable concentrations along the Berbice River to the east; the remainder of the country is sparsely populatedpopulation concentrated along the nothern coastal strip; the remainder of the country is sparsely populated

Demographics

GuyanaSuriname
Population787,971 (July 2021 est.)

note: estimates for this country explicitly take into account the effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower life expectancy, higher infant mortality, higher death rates, lower population growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected
614,749 (July 2021 est.)
Age structure0-14 years: 23.91% (male 91,317/female 88,025)

15-24 years: 21.23% (male 81,294/female 77,987)

25-54 years: 39.48% (male 154,825/female 141,385)

55-64 years: 8.37% (male 29,385/female 33,386)

65 years and over: 7.01% (male 21,325/female 31,275) (2020 est.)
0-14 years: 23.38% (male 72,642/female 69,899)

15-24 years: 17.2% (male 53,427/female 51,438)

25-54 years: 44.09% (male 136,889/female 131,868)

55-64 years: 8.78% (male 26,435/female 27,066)

65 years and over: 6.55% (male 17,437/female 22,468) (2020 est.)
Median agetotal: 27.5 years

male: 27.2 years

female: 27.9 years (2020 est.)
total: 31 years

male: 30.6 years

female: 31.4 years (2020 est.)
Population growth rate0.19% (2021 est.)0.91% (2021 est.)
Birth rate16.64 births/1,000 population (2021 est.)14.7 births/1,000 population (2021 est.)
Death rate6.87 deaths/1,000 population (2021 est.)6.1 deaths/1,000 population (2021 est.)
Net migration rate-7.84 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2021 est.)0.53 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2021 est.)
Sex ratioat birth: 1.05 male(s)/female

0-14 years: 1.04 male(s)/female

15-24 years: 1.04 male(s)/female

25-54 years: 1.1 male(s)/female

55-64 years: 0.88 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.68 male(s)/female

total population: 1.02 male(s)/female (2020 est.)
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female

0-14 years: 1.04 male(s)/female

15-24 years: 1.04 male(s)/female

25-54 years: 1.04 male(s)/female

55-64 years: 0.98 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.78 male(s)/female

total population: 1.01 male(s)/female (2020 est.)
Infant mortality ratetotal: 22.68 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 25.66 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 19.55 deaths/1,000 live births (2021 est.)
total: 26.6 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 31.72 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 21.23 deaths/1,000 live births (2021 est.)
Life expectancy at birthtotal population: 71.59 years

male: 69.74 years

female: 73.53 years (2021 est.)
total population: 73.57 years

male: 71.09 years

female: 76.16 years (2021 est.)
Total fertility rate2.07 children born/woman (2021 est.)1.85 children born/woman (2021 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate1.3% (2020 est.)1.1% (2020 est.)
Nationalitynoun: Guyanese (singular and plural)

adjective: Guyanese
noun: Surinamer(s)

adjective: Surinamese
Ethnic groupsEast Indian 39.8%, African descent 29.3%, mixed 19.9%, Amerindian 10.5%, other 0.5% (includes Portuguese, Chinese, White) (2012 est.)Hindustani (also known locally as "East Indians"; their ancestors emigrated from northern India in the latter part of the 19th century) 27.4%, Maroon (their African ancestors were brought to the country in the 17th and 18th centuries as slaves and escaped to the interior) 21.7%, Creole (mixed White and Black) 15.7%, Javanese 13.7%, mixed 13.4%, other 7.6%, unspecified 0.6% (2012 est.)
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS9,000 (2020 est.)5,200 (2020 est.)
ReligionsProtestant 34.8% (Pentecostal 22.8%, Seventh Day Adventist 5.4%, Anglican 5.2%, Methodist 1.4%), Hindu 24.8%, Roman Catholic 7.1%, Muslim 6.8%, Jehovah's Witness 1.3%, Rastafarian 0.5%, other Christian 20.8%, other 0.9%, none 3.1% (2012 est.)Protestant 23.6% (includes Evangelical 11.2%, Moravian 11.2%, Reformed .7%, Lutheran .5%), Hindu 22.3%, Roman Catholic 21.6%, Muslim 13.8%, other Christian 3.2%, Winti 1.8%, Jehovah's Witness 1.2%, other 1.7%, none 7.5%, unspecified 3.2% (2012 est.)
HIV/AIDS - deaths<200 (2020 est.)<200 (2020 est.)
LanguagesEnglish (official), Guyanese Creole, Amerindian languages (including Caribbean and Arawak languages), Indian languages (including Caribbean Hindustani, a dialect of Hindi), Chinese (2014 est.)Dutch (official), English (widely spoken), Sranang Tongo (Surinamese, sometimes called Taki-Taki, is the native language of Creoles and much of the younger population and is lingua franca among others), Caribbean Hindustani (a dialect of Hindi), Javanese

major-language sample(s):
Het Wereld Feitenboek, een omnisbare bron van informatie. (Dutch)

The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information. (English)
Literacydefinition: age 15 and over has ever attended school

total population: 88.5%

male: 87.2%

female: 89.8% (2015)
definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 94.4%

male: 96.1%

female: 92.7% (2018)
Major infectious diseasesdegree of risk: very high (2020)

food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever

vectorborne diseases: dengue fever and malaria
degree of risk: very high (2020)

food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever

vectorborne diseases: dengue fever and malaria
Education expenditures5.5% of GDP (2018)NA
Urbanizationurban population: 26.9% of total population (2021)

rate of urbanization: 1.01% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
urban population: 66.2% of total population (2021)

rate of urbanization: 0.88% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Drinking water sourceimproved: urban: 100% of population

rural: 95.6% of population

total: 96.7% of population

unimproved: urban: 0% of population

rural: 38.7% of population

total: 26.5% of population (2017 est.)
improved: urban: 98.2% of population

rural: 92% of population

total: 96.6% of population

unimproved: urban: 1.8% of population

rural: 8% of population

total: 3.4% of population (2017 est.)
Sanitation facility accessimproved: urban: 97.8% of population

rural: 95.4% of population

total: 96% of population

unimproved: urban: 2.2% of population

rural: 4.6% of population

total: 4% of population (2017 est.)
improved: urban: 98.5% of population

rural: 88.2% of population

total: 95% of population

unimproved: urban: 1.5% of population

rural: 11.8% of population

total: 5% of population (2017 est.)
Major cities - population110,000 GEORGETOWN (capital) (2018)239,000 PARAMARIBO (capital) (2018)
Maternal mortality rate667 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.)120 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.)
Children under the age of 5 years underweight8.2% (2014)6.7% (2018)
Health expenditures5.9% (2018)8% (2018)
Physicians density0.8 physicians/1,000 population (2018)1.21 physicians/1,000 population (2018)
Hospital bed density1.7 beds/1,000 population (2016)3 beds/1,000 population (2017)
Obesity - adult prevalence rate20.2% (2016)26.4% (2016)
Demographic profile

Guyana is the only English-speaking country in South America and shares cultural and historical bonds with the Anglophone Caribbean. Guyana's two largest ethnic groups are the Afro-Guyanese (descendants of African slaves) and the Indo-Guyanese (descendants of Indian indentured laborers), which together comprise about three quarters of Guyana's population. Tensions periodically have boiled over between the two groups, which back ethnically based political parties and vote along ethnic lines. Poverty reduction has stagnated since the late 1990s. About one-third of the Guyanese population lives below the poverty line; indigenous people are disproportionately affected. Although Guyana's literacy rate is reported to be among the highest in the Western Hemisphere, the level of functional literacy is considerably lower, which has been attributed to poor education quality, teacher training, and infrastructure.

Guyana's emigration rate is among the highest in the world - more than 55% of its citizens reside abroad - and it is one of the largest recipients of remittances relative to GDP among Latin American and Caribbean counties. Although remittances are a vital source of income for most citizens, the pervasive emigration of skilled workers deprives Guyana of professionals in healthcare and other key sectors. More than 80% of Guyanese nationals with tertiary level educations have emigrated. Brain drain and the concentration of limited medical resources in Georgetown hamper Guyana's ability to meet the health needs of its predominantly rural population. Guyana has one of the highest HIV prevalence rates in the region and continues to rely on international support for its HIV treatment and prevention programs.

Suriname is a pluralistic society consisting primarily of Creoles (persons of mixed African and European heritage), the descendants of escaped African slaves known as Maroons, and the descendants of Indian and Javanese (Indonesian) contract workers. The country overall is in full, post-industrial demographic transition, with a low fertility rate, a moderate mortality rate, and a rising life expectancy. However, the Maroon population of the rural interior lags behind because of lower educational attainment and contraceptive use, higher malnutrition, and significantly less access to electricity, potable water, sanitation, infrastructure, and health care.

Some 350,000 people of Surinamese descent live in the Netherlands, Suriname's former colonial ruler. In the 19th century, better-educated, largely Dutch-speaking Surinamese began emigrating to the Netherlands. World War II interrupted the outflow, but it resumed after the war when Dutch labor demands grew - emigrants included all segments of the Creole population. Suriname still is strongly influenced by the Netherlands because most Surinamese have relatives living there and it is the largest supplier of development aid. Other emigration destinations include French Guiana and the United States. Suriname's immigration rules are flexible, and the country is easy to enter illegally because rainforests obscure its borders. Since the mid-1980s, Brazilians have settled in Suriname's capital, Paramaribo, or eastern Suriname, where they mine gold. This immigration is likely to slowly re-orient Suriname toward its Latin American roots.

Contraceptive prevalence rate33.9% (2014)39.1% (2018)
Dependency ratiostotal dependency ratio: 53.2

youth dependency ratio: 42.5

elderly dependency ratio: 10.7

potential support ratio: 9.3 (2020 est.)
total dependency ratio: 51.1

youth dependency ratio: 40.3

elderly dependency ratio: 10.8

potential support ratio: 9.3 (2020 est.)

Government

GuyanaSuriname
Country nameconventional long form: Cooperative Republic of Guyana

conventional short form: Guyana

former: British Guiana

etymology: the name is derived from Guiana, the original name for the region that included British Guiana, Dutch Guiana, and French Guiana; ultimately the word is derived from an indigenous Amerindian language and means "Land of Many Waters" (referring to the area's multitude of rivers and streams)
conventional long form: Republic of Suriname

conventional short form: Suriname

local long form: Republiek Suriname

local short form: Suriname

former: Netherlands Guiana, Dutch Guiana

etymology: name may derive from the indigenous "Surinen" people who inhabited the area at the time of European contact
Government typeparliamentary republicpresidential republic
Capitalname: Georgetown

geographic coordinates: 6 48 N, 58 09 W

time difference: UTC-4 (1 hour ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

etymology: when the British took possession of the town from the Dutch in 1812, they renamed it Georgetown in honor of King George III (1738-1820)
name: Paramaribo

geographic coordinates: 5 50 N, 55 10 W

time difference: UTC-3 (2 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

etymology: the name may be the corruption of a Carib (Kalina) village or tribe named Parmirbo
Administrative divisions10 regions; Barima-Waini, Cuyuni-Mazaruni, Demerara-Mahaica, East Berbice-Corentyne, Essequibo Islands-West Demerara, Mahaica-Berbice, Pomeroon-Supenaam, Potaro-Siparuni, Upper Demerara-Berbice, Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo10 districts (distrikten, singular - distrikt); Brokopondo, Commewijne, Coronie, Marowijne, Nickerie, Para, Paramaribo, Saramacca, Sipaliwini, Wanica
Independence26 May 1966 (from the UK)25 November 1975 (from the Netherlands)
National holidayRepublic Day, 23 February (1970)Independence Day, 25 November (1975)
Constitutionhistory: several previous; latest promulgated 6 October 1980

amendments: proposed by the National Assembly; passage of amendments affecting constitutional articles, such as national sovereignty, government structure and powers, and constitutional amendment procedures, requires approval by the Assembly membership, approval in a referendum, and assent of the president; other amendments only require Assembly approval; amended many times, last in 2016
history: previous 1975; latest ratified 30 September 1987, effective 30 October 1987

amendments: proposed by the National Assembly; passage requires at least two-thirds majority vote of the total membership; amended 1992
Legal systemcommon law system, based on the English model, with some Roman-Dutch civil law influencecivil law system influenced by Dutch civil law; note - a new criminal code was enacted in 2017
Suffrage18 years of age; universal18 years of age; universal
Executive branchchief of state: President Mohammed Irfaan ALI (since 2 August 2020); First Vice President Mark PHILLIPS (since 2 August 2020); Vice President Bharrat JAGDEO (since 2 August 2020); Prime Minister Mark PHILLIPS (since 2 August 2020); note - the president is both chief of state and head of government

head of government: President Mohammed Irfaan ALI (since 2 August 2020); First Vice President Mark PHILLIPS (since 2 August 2020); Vice President Bharrat JAGDEO (since 2 August 2020)

cabinet: Cabinet of Ministers appointed by the president, responsible to the National Assembly

elections/appointments: the predesignated candidate of the winning party in the last National Assembly election becomes president for a 5-year term (no term limits); election last held on 2 March 2020 (next to be held in 2025); prime minister appointed by the president

election results:
2020: Mohammed Irfaan ALI (PPP/C) designated president by the majority party in the National Assembly

2015: David GRANGER (APNU-AFC) designated president by the majority party in the National Assembly
chief of state: President Chandrikapersad SANTOKHI (since 16 July 2020); Vice President Ronnie BRUNSWIJK (since 16 July 2020); note - the president is both chief of state and head of government

head of government: President Chandrikapersad SANTOKHI (since 16 July 2020); Vice President Ronnie BRUNSWIJK (since 16 July 2020)

cabinet: Cabinet of Ministers appointed by the president

elections/appointments: president and vice president indirectly elected by the National Assembly; president and vice president serve a 5-year term (no term limits); election last held on 13 July 2020 (next to be held in May 2025)

election results: Chandrikapersad SANTOKHI elected president unopposed; National Assembly vote - NA
Legislative branchdescription: unicameral National Assembly (65 seats; 40 members directly elected in a single nationwide constituency and 25 directly elected in multi-seat constituencies - all by closed-list proportional representation vote; members serve 5-year terms)

elections: last held on 2 March 2020 (next to be held in 2025)

election results: percent of vote by party - PPP/C 50.69%, APNU-AFC 47.34%, LJP 0.58%, ANUG 0.5%, TNM 0.05%, other 0.84%; seats by party - PPP/C 33, APNU-AFC 31, LJP-ANUG-TNM 1; composition - men 43, women 22, percent of women 33.8%; note - the initial results were declared invalid and a partial recount was conducted from 6 May to 8 June 2020, in which PPP/C was declared the winner
description: unicameral National Assembly or Nationale Assemblee (51 seats; members directly elected in 10 multi-seat constituencies by party-list proportional representation vote using the D'Hondt method to serve 5-year terms)

elections: last held on 25 May 2020 (next to be held in May 2025)

election results: percent of vote by party - VHP 41.1%, NDP 29.4%, ABOP 17.6%, NPS 7.8%, other 3.9%; seats by party - VHP 21, NDP 15, ABOP 9, NPS 4, other 2; composition - men 35, women 16, percent of women 31.4%
Judicial branchhighest courts: Supreme Court of Judicature (consists of the Court of Appeal with a chief justice and 3 justices, and the High Court with a chief justice and 10 justices organized into 3- or 5-judge panels); note - in 2009, Guyana acceded to the Caribbean Court of Justice as the final court of appeal in civil and criminal cases, replacing that of the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council (in London)

judge selection and term of office: Court of Appeal and High Court chief justices appointed by the president; other judges of both courts appointed by the Judicial Service Commission, a body appointed by the president; judges appointed for life with retirement at age 65

subordinate courts: Land Court; magistrates' courts
highest courts: High Court of Justice of Suriname (consists of the court president, vice president, and 4 judges); note - appeals beyond the High Court are referred to the Caribbean Court of Justice; human rights violations can be appealed to the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights with judgments issued by the Inter-American Court on Human Rights

judge selection and term of office: court judges appointed by the national president in consultation with the National Assembly, the State Advisory Council, and the Order of Private Attorneys; judges serve for life

subordinate courts: cantonal courts
Political parties and leadersA New and United Guyana or ANUG [Ralph RAMKARRAN]
A Partnership for National Unity or APNU [David A. GRANGER]
Alliance for Change or AFC [Raphael TROTMAN]
Justice for All Party [C.N. SHARMA]
Liberty and Justice Party or LJP [Lenox SHUMAN]
National Independent Party or NIP [Saphier Husain SUBEDAR]
People's Progressive Party/Civic or PPP/C [Bharrat JAGDEO]
The New Movement or TNM [joint leadership of several medical doctors]
The United Force or TUF [Manzoor NADIR]
United Republican Party or URP [Vishnu BANDHU]
Alternative Combination or A-Com (coalition includes ABOP, KTPI, Party for Democracy and Development)
Brotherhood and Unity in Politics or BEP [Celsius WATERBERG]
Democratic Alternative '91 or DA91 [Angelique DEL CASTILLO]
General Liberation and Development Party or ABOP [Ronnie BRUNSWIJK}
National Democratic Party or NDP [Desire Delano BOUTERSE]
National Party of Suriname or NPS [Gregory RUSLAND]
Party for Democracy and Development in Unity or DOE [Carl BREEVELD]
Party for National Unity and Solidarity or KTPI [Willy SOEMITA]
People's Alliance (Pertjaja Luhur) or PL [Paul SOMOHARDJO]
Progressive Workers' and Farmers' Union or PALU [Jim HOK]
Progressive Reform Party or VHP [Chandrikapersad SANTOKHI]
Reform and Renewal Movement or HVB
Surinamese Labor Party or SPA [Guno CASTELEN]
International organization participationACP, AOSIS, C, Caricom, CD, CDB, CELAC, FAO, G-77, IADB, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO (correspondent), ITU, LAES, MIGA, NAM, OAS, OIC, OPANAL, OPCW, PCA, Petrocaribe, UN, UNASUR, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTOACP, AOSIS, Caricom, CD, CDB, CELAC, FAO, G-77, IADB, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITU, ITUC (NGOs), LAES, MIGA, NAM, OAS, OIC, OPANAL, OPCW, PCA, Petrocaribe, UN, UNASUR, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in the USchief of mission: Ambassador Samuel Archibald HINDS (since 7 July 2021)

chancery: 2490 Tracy Place NW, Washington, DC 20008

telephone: [1] (202) 265-6900

FAX: [1] (202) 232-1297

email address and website:
guyanaembassydc@verizon.net

http://www.guyanaembassyusa.org/

consulate(s) general: New York
chief of mission: Ambassador Niermala Sakoentala BADRISING (since 21 July 2017)

chancery: 4301 Connecticut Avenue NW, Suite 400, Washington, DC 20008

telephone: [1] (202) 629-4302

FAX: [1] (202) 629-4769

email address and website:
amb.vs@gov.sr

https://www.surinameembassy.org/

consulate(s) general: Miami
Diplomatic representation from the USchief of mission: Ambassador Sarah-Ann LYNCH (since 13 March 2019)

embassy: 100 Young and Duke Streets, Kingston, Georgetown

mailing address: 3170 Georgetown Place, Washington DC 20521-3170

telephone: [592] 225-4900 through 4909

FAX: [592] 225-8497

email address and website:
acsgeorge@state.gov

https://gy.usembassy.gov/
chief of mission: Ambassador Karen Lynn WILLIAMS (since 20 November 2018)

embassy: 165 Kristalstraat, Paramaribo

mailing address: 3390 Paramaribo Place, Washington DC  20521-3390

telephone: [597] 556-700

FAX: [597] 551-524

email address and website:
caparamar@state.gov

https://sr.usembassy.gov/
Flag descriptiongreen with a red isosceles triangle (based on the hoist side) superimposed on a long, yellow arrowhead; there is a narrow, black border between the red and yellow, and a narrow, white border between the yellow and the green; green represents forest and foliage; yellow stands for mineral resources and a bright future; white symbolizes Guyana's rivers; red signifies zeal and the sacrifice of the people; black indicates perseverance; also referred to by its nickname The Golden Arrowheadfive horizontal bands of green (top, double width), white, red (quadruple width), white, and green (double width); a large, yellow, five-pointed star is centered in the red band; red stands for progress and love, green symbolizes hope and fertility, white signifies peace, justice, and freedom; the star represents the unity of all ethnic groups; from its yellow light the nation draws strength to bear sacrifices patiently while working toward a golden future
National anthemname: Dear Land of Guyana, of Rivers and Plains

lyrics/music: Archibald Leonard LUKERL/Robert Cyril Gladstone POTTER

note: adopted 1966
name: "God zij met ons Suriname!" (God Be With Our Suriname)

lyrics/music: Cornelis Atses HOEKSTRA and Henry DE ZIEL/Johannes Corstianus DE PUY

note: adopted 1959; originally adapted from a Sunday school song written in 1893 and contains lyrics in both Dutch and Sranang Tongo
International law organization participationhas not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdictionaccepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; accepts ICCt jurisdiction
National symbol(s)Canje pheasant (hoatzin), jaguar, Victoria Regia water lily; national colors: red, yellow, green, black, whiteroyal palm, faya lobi (flower); national colors: green, white, red, yellow
Citizenshipcitizenship by birth: yes

citizenship by descent only: yes

dual citizenship recognized: no

residency requirement for naturalization: na
citizenship by birth: no

citizenship by descent only: at least one parent must be a citizen of Suriname

dual citizenship recognized: no

residency requirement for naturalization: 5 years

Economy

GuyanaSuriname
Economy - overview

The Guyanese economy exhibited moderate economic growth in recent years and is based largely on agriculture and extractive industries. The economy is heavily dependent upon the export of six commodities - sugar, gold, bauxite, shrimp, timber, and rice - which represent nearly 60% of the country's GDP and are highly susceptible to adverse weather conditions and fluctuations in commodity prices. Guyana closed or consolidated several sugar estates in 2017, reducing production of sugar to a forecasted 147,000 tons in 2018, less than half of 2017 production. Much of Guyana's growth in recent years has come from a surge in gold production. With a record-breaking 700,000 ounces of gold produced in 2016, Gold production in Guyana has offset the economic effects of declining sugar production. In January 2018, estimated 3.2 billion barrels of oil were found offshore and Guyana is scheduled to become a petroleum producer by March 2020.

Guyana's entrance into the Caricom Single Market and Economy in January 2006 broadened the country's export market, primarily in the raw materials sector. Guyana has experienced positive growth almost every year over the past decade. Inflation has been kept under control. Recent years have seen the government's stock of debt reduced significantly - with external debt now less than half of what it was in the early 1990s. Despite these improvements, the government is still juggling a sizable external debt against the urgent need for expanded public investment. In March 2007, the Inter-American Development Bank, Guyana's principal donor, canceled Guyana's nearly $470 million debt, equivalent to 21% of GDP, which along with other Highly Indebted Poor Country debt forgiveness, brought the debt-to-GDP ratio down from 183% in 2006 to 52% in 2017. Guyana had become heavily indebted as a result of the inward-looking, state-led development model pursued in the 1970s and 1980s. Chronic problems include a shortage of skilled labor and a deficient infrastructure.

Suriname's economy is dominated by the mining industry, with exports of oil and gold accounting for approximately 85% of exports and 27% of government revenues. This makes the economy highly vulnerable to mineral price volatility. The worldwide drop in international commodity prices and the cessation of alumina mining in Suriname significantly reduced government revenue and national income during the past few years. In November 2015, a major US aluminum company discontinued its mining activities in Suriname after 99 years of operation. Public sector revenues fell, together with exports, international reserves, employment, and private sector investment.

Economic growth declined annually from just under 5% in 2012 to -10.4% in 2016. In January 2011, the government devalued the currency by 20% and raised taxes to reduce the budget deficit. Suriname began instituting macro adjustments between September 2015 and 2016; these included another 20% currency devaluation in November 2015 and foreign currency interventions by the Central Bank until March 2016, after which time the Bank allowed the Surinamese dollar (SRD) to float. By December 2016, the SRD had lost 46% of its value against the dollar. Depreciation of the Surinamese dollar and increases in tariffs on electricity caused domestic prices in Suriname to rise 22.0% year-over-year by December 2017.

Suriname's economic prospects for the medium-term will depend on its commitment to responsible monetary and fiscal policies and on the introduction of structural reforms to liberalize markets and promote competition. The government's over-reliance on revenue from the extractive sector colors Suriname's economic outlook. Following two years of recession, the Fitch Credit Bureau reported a positive growth of 1.2% in 2017 and the World Bank predicted 2.2% growth in 2018. Inflation declined to 9%, down from 55% in 2016 , and increased gold production helped lift exports. Yet continued budget imbalances and a heavy debt and interest burden resulted in a debt-to-GDP ratio of 83% in September 2017. Purchasing power has fallen rapidly due to the devalued local currency. The government has announced its intention to pass legislation to introduce a new value-added tax in 2018. Without this and other measures to strengthen the country's fiscal position, the government may face liquidity pressures.

GDP (purchasing power parity)$10.24 billion (2019 est.)

$9.72 billion (2018 est.)

$9.306 billion (2017 est.)

note: data are in 2017 dollars
$9.606 billion (2019 est.)

$9.581 billion (2018 est.)

$9.34 billion (2017 est.)

note: data are in 2017 dollars
GDP - real growth rate2.1% (2017 est.)

3.4% (2016 est.)

3.1% (2015 est.)
1.9% (2017 est.)

-5.1% (2016 est.)

-2.6% (2015 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP)$13,082 (2019 est.)

$12,478 (2018 est.)

$12,005 (2017 est.)

note: data are in 2017 dollars
$16,525 (2019 est.)

$16,634 (2018 est.)

$16,373 (2017 est.)

note: data are in 2017 dollars
GDP - composition by sectoragriculture: 15.4% (2017 est.)

industry: 15.3% (2017 est.)

services: 69.3% (2017 est.)
agriculture: 11.6% (2017 est.)

industry: 31.1% (2017 est.)

services: 57.4% (2017 est.)
Population below poverty line35% (2006 est.)70% (2002 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage sharelowest 10%: 1.3%

highest 10%: 33.8% (1999)
lowest 10%: NA

highest 10%: NA
Inflation rate (consumer prices)2% (2017 est.)

0.8% (2016 est.)
22% (2017 est.)

55.5% (2016 est.)
Labor force313,800 (2013 est.)144,000 (2014 est.)
Labor force - by occupationagriculture: NA

industry: NA

services: NA
agriculture: 11.2%

industry: 19.5%

services: 69.3% (2010)
Unemployment rate11.1% (2013)

11.3% (2012)
8.9% (2017 est.)

9.7% (2016 est.)
Budgetrevenues: 1.002 billion (2017 est.)

expenditures: 1.164 billion (2017 est.)
revenues: 560.7 million (2017 est.)

expenditures: 827.8 million (2017 est.)
Industriesbauxite, sugar, rice milling, timber, textiles, gold mininggold mining, oil, lumber, food processing, fishing
Industrial production growth rate-5% (2017 est.)1% (2017 est.)
Agriculture - productsrice, sugar cane, coconuts, pumpkins, squash, gourds, milk, eggplants, green chillies/peppers, poultryrice, sugar cane, bananas, oranges, vegetables, plantains, coconuts, poultry, cassava, eggs
Exports$1.439 billion (2017 est.)

$1.38 billion (2016 est.)
$2.028 billion (2017 est.)

$1.449 billion (2016 est.)
Exports - commoditiesships, gold, shipping containers, excavation machinery, aluminum ores, rice (2019)gold, lumber, refined petroleum, fish, cigarettes (2019)
Exports - partnersTrinidad and Tobago 31%, Canada 11%, Portugal 11%, Ghana 8%, Norway 6%, United Arab Emirates 5% (2019)Switzerland 39%, United Arab Emirates 31%, Belgium 10% (2019)
Imports$1.626 billion (2017 est.)

$1.341 billion (2016 est.)
$1.293 billion (2017 est.)

$1.203 billion (2016 est.)
Imports - commoditiesships, refined petroleum, excavation machinery, shipping containers, aircraft (2019)refined petroleum, delivery trucks, excavation machinery, cars, construction vehicles (2019)
Imports - partnersUnited States 26%, Trinidad and Tobago 16%, Singapore 18%, Liberia 11%, China 5%, Norway 5% (2019)United States 22%, Netherlands 14%, China 13%, Trinidad and Tobago 7%, Antigua and Barbuda 5% (2019)
Debt - external$1.69 billion (31 December 2017 est.)

$1.542 billion (31 December 2016 est.)
$1.7 billion (31 December 2017 est.)

$1.436 billion (31 December 2016 est.)
Exchange ratesGuyanese dollars (GYD) per US dollar -

207 (2017 est.)

206.5 (2016 est.)

206.5 (2015 est.)

206.5 (2014 est.)

206.45 (2013 est.)
Surinamese dollars (SRD) per US dollar -

7.53 (2017 est.)

6.229 (2016 est.)

6.229 (2015 est.)

3.4167 (2014 est.)

3.3 (2013 est.)
Fiscal yearcalendar yearcalendar year
Public debt52.2% of GDP (2017 est.)

50.7% of GDP (2016 est.)
69.3% of GDP (2017 est.)

75.8% of GDP (2016 est.)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold$565.4 million (31 December 2017 est.)

$581 million (31 December 2016 est.)
$424.4 million (31 December 2017 est.)

$381.1 million (31 December 2016 est.)
Current Account Balance-$237 million (2017 est.)

$13 million (2016 est.)
-$2 million (2017 est.)

-$169 million (2016 est.)
GDP (official exchange rate)$3.561 billion (2017 est.)$3.419 billion (2017 est.)
Ease of Doing Business Index scoresOverall score: 55.5 (2020)

Starting a Business score: 85.6 (2020)

Trading score: 58.3 (2020)

Enforcement score: 57.9 (2020)
Overall score: 47.5 (2020)

Starting a Business score: 61.6 (2020)

Trading score: 75 (2020)

Enforcement score: 25.9 (2020)
Taxes and other revenues28.1% (of GDP) (2017 est.)16.4% (of GDP) (2017 est.)
Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)-4.5% (of GDP) (2017 est.)-7.8% (of GDP) (2017 est.)
Unemployment, youth ages 15-24total: 26.5%

male: 20.7%

female: 34.6% (2018 est.)
total: 26.5%

male: 18.7%

female: 39.9% (2016 est.)
GDP - composition, by end usehousehold consumption: 71.1% (2017 est.)

government consumption: 18.2% (2017 est.)

investment in fixed capital: 25.4% (2017 est.)

investment in inventories: 0% (2017 est.)

exports of goods and services: 47.8% (2017 est.)

imports of goods and services: -63% (2017 est.)
household consumption: 27.6% (2017 est.)

government consumption: 11.7% (2017 est.)

investment in fixed capital: 52.5% (2017 est.)

investment in inventories: 26.5% (2017 est.)

exports of goods and services: 68.9% (2017 est.)

imports of goods and services: -60.6% (2017 est.)
Gross national saving10.5% of GDP (2017 est.)

15% of GDP (2016 est.)

8.8% of GDP (2015 est.)
46.6% of GDP (2017 est.)

55.6% of GDP (2016 est.)

53.6% of GDP (2015 est.)

Energy

GuyanaSuriname
Electricity - production1.01 billion kWh (2016 est.)1.967 billion kWh (2016 est.)
Electricity - consumption790.1 million kWh (2016 est.)1.75 billion kWh (2016 est.)
Electricity - exports0 kWh (2016 est.)0 kWh (2016 est.)
Electricity - imports0 kWh (2016 est.)0 kWh (2016 est.)
Oil - production0 bbl/day (2018 est.)17,000 bbl/day (2018 est.)
Oil - imports0 bbl/day (2015 est.)820 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Oil - exports0 bbl/day (2015 est.)0 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Oil - proved reserves0 bbl (1 January 2018 est.)84.2 million bbl (1 January 2018 est.)
Natural gas - proved reserves0 cu m (1 January 2014 est.)0 cu m (1 January 2011 est.)
Natural gas - production0 cu m (2017 est.)0 cu m (2017 est.)
Natural gas - consumption0 cu m (2017 est.)0 cu m (2017 est.)
Natural gas - exports0 cu m (2017 est.)0 cu m (2017 est.)
Natural gas - imports0 cu m (2017 est.)0 cu m (2017 est.)
Electricity - installed generating capacity428,000 kW (2016 est.)504,000 kW (2016 est.)
Electricity - from fossil fuels89% of total installed capacity (2016 est.)61% of total installed capacity (2016 est.)
Electricity - from hydroelectric plants0% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)38% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)
Electricity - from nuclear fuels0% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)0% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)
Electricity - from other renewable sources11% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)2% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)
Refined petroleum products - production0 bbl/day (2015 est.)7,571 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Refined petroleum products - consumption14,000 bbl/day (2016 est.)13,000 bbl/day (2016 est.)
Refined petroleum products - exports0 bbl/day (2015 est.)14,000 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Refined petroleum products - imports13,720 bbl/day (2015 est.)10,700 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Electricity accesselectrification - total population: 91.8% (2018)

electrification - urban areas: 96.9% (2018)

electrification - rural areas: 90% (2018)
electrification - total population: 97.4% (2018)

electrification - urban areas: 99% (2018)

electrification - rural areas: 94.3% (2018)

Telecommunications

GuyanaSuriname
Telephones - main lines in usetotal subscriptions: 130,497

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 17.52 (2019 est.)
total subscriptions: 92,756

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 15.37 (2019 est.)
Telephones - mobile cellulartotal subscriptions: 617,998

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 82.97 (2019 est.)
total subscriptions: 813,844

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 134.9 (2019 est.)
Internet country code.gy.sr
Internet userstotal: 276,498

percent of population: 37.33% (July 2018 est.)
total: 292,685

percent of population: 48.95% (July 2018 est.)
Telecommunication systemsgeneral assessment: revenues gained from newly tapped off-shore oil reserves may provide a boost of Guyana's infrastructure, including upgrade of aging telecom systems to LTE and fiber broadband; competition in mobile services but monopoly in fixed-line; submarine cable improved broadband availability but service is still slow and expensive; second cable will improve delivery and pricing; government promotes ICT for e-government, e-health, and tele-education, and connection to remote locations (2021) (2020)

domestic: fixed-line teledensity is about 18 per 100 persons; mobile-cellular teledensity about 83 per 100 persons (2019)

international: country code - 592; landing point for the SG-SCS submarine cable to Suriname, and the Caribbean; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) (2019)

note: the COVID-19 pandemic continues to have a significant impact on production and supply chains globally; since 2020, some aspects of the telecom sector have experienced downturn, particularly in mobile device production; many network operators delayed upgrades to infrastructure; progress towards 5G implementation was postponed or slowed in some countries; consumer spending on telecom services and devices was affected by large-scale job losses and the consequent restriction on disposable incomes; the crucial nature of telecom services as a tool for work and school from home became evident, and received some support from governments
general assessment:

smallest nation in South America with low population and client base; state-owned fixed-line tele-density rates and broadband services below regional average for Latin America and Caribbean; operator building out fiber network; mobile penetration is above regional average; fixed-line effective along the coastline yet poor in the interior; competition in the mobile sector; launch of 5G in Paramaribo; importer of broadcasting equipment from USA (2021)

(2020)

domestic: fixed-line 16 per 100 and mobile-cellular teledensity 140 telephones per 100 persons; microwave radio relay network is in place (2019)

international: country code - 597; landing point for the SG-SCS submarine cable linking South America with the Caribbean; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) (2019)

note: the COVID-19 pandemic continues to have a significant impact on production and supply chains globally; since 2020, some aspects of the telecom sector have experienced downturn, particularly in mobile device production; many network operators delayed upgrades to infrastructure; progress towards 5G implementation was postponed or slowed in some countries; consumer spending on telecom services and devices was affected by large-scale job losses and the consequent restriction on disposable incomes; the crucial nature of telecom services as a tool for work and school from home became evident, and received some support from governments

Broadband - fixed subscriptionstotal: 64,889

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 9 (2017 est.)
total: 80,320

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 13.31 (2019 est.)
Broadcast mediagovernment-dominated broadcast media; the National Communications Network (NCN) TV is state-owned; a few private TV stations relay satellite services; the state owns and operates 2 radio stations broadcasting on multiple frequencies capable of reaching the entire country; government limits on licensing of new private radio stations has constrained competition in broadcast media2 state-owned TV stations; 1 state-owned radio station; multiple private radio and TV stations (2019)

Transportation

GuyanaSuriname
Roadwaystotal: 3,995 km (2019)

paved: 799 km (2019)

unpaved: 3,196 km (2019)
total: 4,304 km (2003)

paved: 1,119 km (2003)

unpaved: 3,185 km (2003)
Waterways330 km (the Berbice, Demerara, and Essequibo Rivers are navigable by oceangoing vessels for 150 km, 100 km, and 80 km respectively) (2012)1,200 km (most navigable by ships with drafts up to 7 m) (2011)
Ports and terminalsmajor seaport(s): Georgetownmajor seaport(s): Paramaribo, Wageningen
Merchant marinetotal: 58

by type: general cargo 28, oil tanker 7, other 23 (2020)
total: 10

by type: general cargo 5, oil tanker 3, other 2 (2020)
Airportstotal: 117 (2013)total: 55 (2013)
Airports - with paved runwaystotal: 11 (2017)

1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 (2017)

914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2017)

under 914 m: 8 (2017)
total: 6 (2019)

over 3,047 m: 1

under 914 m: 5
Airports - with unpaved runwaystotal: 106 (2013)

1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2013)

914 to 1,523 m: 16 (2013)

under 914 m: 89 (2013)
total: 49 (2013)

914 to 1,523 m: 4 (2013)

under 914 m: 45 (2013)
Civil aircraft registration country code prefix8RPZ

Military

GuyanaSuriname
Military branchesthe Guyana Defense Force is a unified service with an Army, Air Corps, Coast Guard, Guyana People's Militia (reserves) (2020)Suriname Army (National Leger, NL): Army, Navy, Air Force, Military Police (2021)
Military service age and obligationlimited information; 18 years of age or older for voluntary military service; no conscription (2019)18 is the legal minimum age for voluntary military service; no conscription (2019)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP1.7% of GDP (2019)

1.6% of GDP (2018)

1.6% of GDP (2017)

1.5% of GDP (2016)

1.4% of GDP (2015)
1.1% of GDP (2017 est.)

1.2% of GDP (2016 est.)

1.4% of GDP (2015 est.)

1.3% of GDP (2014 est.)

1.3% of GDP (2013 est.)
Military and security service personnel strengthsthe Guyana Defense Force has approximately 3,000 active personnel (2021)the Suriname Army is comprised of approximately 1,800 active personnel (ground, air, naval, and military police) (2021)
Military equipment inventories and acquisitionsthe Guyana Defense Force's limited inventory is mostly comprised of second-hand platforms from a variety of foreign suppliers, including Brazil, China, the former Soviet Union, the UK, and the US; since 2000, Guyana has received small amounts of military equipment from Brazil, China, and the UK (2020)the Suriname Army has a limited inventory comprised of a mix of older, foreign-supplied equipment; since 2010, Suriname has received small quantities of military hardware from Colombia, France, India, and the US (2020)

Transnational Issues

GuyanaSuriname
Disputes - international

all of the area west of the Essequibo River is claimed by Venezuela preventing any discussion of a maritime boundary; Guyana has expressed its intention to join Barbados in asserting claims before UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) that Trinidad and Tobago's maritime boundary with Venezuela extends into their waters; Suriname claims a triangle of land between the New and Kutari/Koetari Rivers in a historic dispute over the headwaters of the Courantyne

area claimed by French Guiana between Riviere Litani and Riviere Marouini (both headwaters of the Lawa); Suriname claims a triangle of land between the New and Kutari/Koetari rivers in a historic dispute over the headwaters of the Courantyne; Guyana seeks UN Convention on the Law of the Sea arbitration to resolve the longstanding dispute with Suriname over the axis of the territorial sea boundary in potentially oil-rich waters

Illicit drugstransshipment point for narcotics from South America - primarily Venezuela - to Europe and the US; producer of cannabis; rising money laundering related to drug trafficking and human smugglinggrowing transshipment point for South American drugs destined for Europe via the Netherlands and Brazil; transshipment point for arms-for-drugs dealing
Trafficking in personscurrent situation: Guyana is a source and destination country for men, women, and children subjected to sex trafficking and forced labor - children are particularly vulnerable; women and girls from Guyana, Venezuela, Suriname, Brazil, and the Dominican Republic are forced into prostitution in Guyana's interior mining communities and urban areas; forced labor is reported in mining, agriculture, forestry, domestic service, and shops; Guyanese nationals are also trafficked to Suriname, Jamaica, and other Caribbean countries for sexual exploitation and forced labor

tier rating: Tier 2 Watch List - Guyana does not fully comply with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking; however, it is making significant efforts to do so; in 2014, Guyana was granted a waiver from an otherwise required downgrade to Tier 3 because its government has a written plan that, if implemented would constitute making significant efforts to bring itself into compliance with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking; the government released its anti-trafficking action plan in June 2014 but made uneven efforts to implement it; law enforcement was weak, investigating seven trafficking cases, prosecuting four alleged traffickers, and convicting one trafficker - a police officer - who was released on bail pending appeal; in 2014, as in previous years, Guyanese courts dismissed the majority of ongoing trafficking prosecutions; the government referred some victims to care services, which were provided by NGOs with little or no government support (2015)
current situation: Suriname is a source, transit, and destination country for women and children subjected to sex trafficking and men, women, and children subjected to forced labor; women and girls from Suriname, Guyana, Brazil, and the Dominican Republic are subjected to sex trafficking in the country, sometimes in interior mining camps; migrant workers in agriculture and on fishing boats and children working in informal urban sectors and gold mines are vulnerable to forced labor; traffickers from Suriname exploit victims in the Netherlands

tier rating: Tier 2 Watch List - Suriname does not fully comply with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking; however, it is making significant efforts to do so; in 2014, Suriname was granted a waiver from an otherwise required downgrade to Tier 3 because its government has a written plan that, if implemented, would constitute making significant efforts to bring itself into compliance with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking; authorities increased the number of trafficking investigations, prosecutions, and convictions as compared to 2013, but resources were insufficient to conduct investigations in the country's interior; more trafficking victims were identified in 2014 than in 2013, but protective services for adults and children were inadequate, with a proposed government shelter for women and child trafficking victims remaining unopened (2015)

Environment

GuyanaSuriname
Air pollutantsparticulate matter emissions: 20.46 micrograms per cubic meter (2016 est.)

carbon dioxide emissions: 2.38 megatons (2016 est.)

methane emissions: 1.81 megatons (2020 est.)
particulate matter emissions: 23.6 micrograms per cubic meter (2016 est.)

carbon dioxide emissions: 1.74 megatons (2016 est.)

methane emissions: 2.28 megatons (2020 est.)
Total water withdrawalmunicipal: 61.3 million cubic meters (2017 est.)

industrial: 20.4 million cubic meters (2017 est.)

agricultural: 1.363 billion cubic meters (2017 est.)
municipal: 49.3 million cubic meters (2017 est.)

industrial: 135.5 million cubic meters (2017 est.)

agricultural: 431.1 million cubic meters (2017 est.)
Revenue from forest resourcesforest revenues: 4.56% of GDP (2018 est.)forest revenues: 2.36% of GDP (2018 est.)
Revenue from coalcoal revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.)coal revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.)
Waste and recyclingmunicipal solid waste generated annually: 179,252 tons (2010 est.)

municipal solid waste recycled annually: 968 tons (2010 est.)

percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 0.5% (2010 est.)
municipal solid waste generated annually: 78,620 tons (2010 est.)

Source: CIA Factbook