Suriname: housing

How fast are building costs rising in Suriname?

Construction prices in Suriname were 7.3% higher in the second quarter of 2026 than a year earlier, and 1.4% higher than in the first quarter, according to the General Bureau of Statistics construction price index released on 31 July 2026. For whole years, construction price inflation was 50.2% in 2023, -8.3% in 2024 and 10.7% in 2025.

The index tracks 107 items for house building, commercial building and civil works, priced in Paramaribo and Wanica. Labour carries the largest weight, at 41.73%. It measures building costs, not house prices; no official house price or rent index was found on the bureau's site, checked on 15 October 2026.

Official sources: ABS: construction price index, second quarter 2026 (PDF)

How many people in Suriname live in cities?

The UN Population Division puts the share of people living in urban areas in Suriname at 65.8% in 2025. The peak was 66.7% in 2005 and the low 65.8% in 2023. Across Latin America & Caribbean the middle value was 66.2%, and Suriname placed 18th highest of 33. Of 193 countries with 2025 data, 87th highest.

What share of Suriname's city dwellers live in slums?

The latest figure from UN-Habitat, for 2022, is 15.8%. No year since 2006 has been higher. Across Latin America & Caribbean the middle value was 14.7%, and Suriname placed 10th highest of 26. Of 170 countries with 2022 data, 85th highest.

What share of people in Suriname have electricity?

The World Bank puts the share of people with access to electricity in Suriname at 99.0% in 2024. The peak was 99.6% in 2023 and the low 91.0% in 2006. Latin America & Caribbean median: 99.5%; Suriname is 18th highest of 33. Of 193 countries with 2024 data, 113th highest.

How many people in Suriname have clean water?

WHO and UNICEF puts the share of people using safely managed drinking water in Suriname at 55.8% in 2024. That is the highest since at least 2005. Latin America & Caribbean median: 66.3%; Suriname is 10th highest of 14. Worldwide: 92nd of 134.

What share of people in Suriname have safe sanitation?

WHO and UNICEF puts the share of people using safely managed sanitation in Suriname at 25.1% in 2024. It is the bottom of the series, which starts in 2005. It is 15th highest of 16 in Latin America & Caribbean, where the median is 44.7%. Of 134 countries with 2024 data, 109th highest.

What is access to clean cooking in Suriname?

According to the WHO, the share of people using clean cooking fuels in Suriname was 95.0% in 2024. That is the highest since at least 2005. It is 15th highest of 33 in Latin America & Caribbean, where the median is 95.0%. Of 192 countries with 2024 data, 86th highest.