Suriname: jobs and pay

What is the minimum wage in Suriname?

Suriname's general minimum wage is SRD 61.25 gross per hour from 1 July 2026, according to the Government of Suriname. It applies to all sectors and was set by the Council of Ministers on the advice of the National Wage Council. The previous minimum, set from 1 April 2025, was SRD 52.47 an hour, according to an earlier government announcement.

The new rate came into force with the publication of decree no. 777/26 of 3 July 2026. It is a gross hourly floor: no employee may earn less, and employers may agree higher wages. The minimum is set per hour, so monthly earnings depend on hours worked.

Official sources: Government of Suriname: minimum hourly wage from 1 July 2026 (Dutch) · Government of Suriname: minimum hourly wage from 1 April 2025 (Dutch)

What is the unemployment rate in Suriname?

Suriname's unemployment rate was 7.8% in 2025, according to a modelled estimate by the International Labour Organization published by the World Bank. Youth unemployment, for ages 15 to 24, was 25.4%, according to the same source.

These are model-based estimates, not results of a recent national survey. The most recent labour force survey figures in the General Bureau of Statistics gender publication cover Paramaribo and Wanica in 2019, when 17,518 people aged 15 to 64 were unemployed and 143,096 employed; the table shows no survey results for 2020 to 2023.

Official sources: World Bank: unemployment, Suriname · World Bank: youth unemployment, Suriname · ABS: gender publication 2025 (PDF)

What is the average salary in Suriname?

Civil servants in Suriname were paid an average gross salary of SRD 21,327 a month in December 2025, according to the General Bureau of Statistics Basic Indicators. The median was about SRD 12,750 for both men and women, and 55,684 civil servants were paid that month. Men averaged SRD 24,293 and women SRD 19,228.

These figures cover government employees only; no comparable official figure for private sector pay was found. The median is the middle value: half of civil servants earned less and half more. 41,954 civil servants earned SRD 12,500 or more in December 2025.

Official sources: ABS: Suriname Basic Indicators 2026-I (PDF)

What is Suriname's minimum wage?

4,160 SRD a month (about $125): that is the statutory minimum wage in Suriname for 2024, according to the ILO. It is the top of the series, which starts in 2015.

How much do workers in Suriname earn on average?

In 2022, average monthly earnings of employees in Suriname was $264 a month, according to the ILO. Latin America & Caribbean median: $424 a month; Suriname is 17th highest of 17. Of 98 countries with 2022 data, 77th highest.

What is Suriname's unemployment rate?

In 2025, the unemployment rate in Suriname was 7.8%, according to the ILO. Since 2005 it has ranged from 6.6% (2013) to 9.3% (2005). Across Latin America & Caribbean the middle value was 6.0%, and Suriname placed 10th highest of 29. Of 174 countries with 2025 data, 49th highest.

What is the youth unemployment rate in Suriname?

According to the ILO, unemployment among 15 to 24 year olds in Suriname was 25.4% in 2025. Since 2005 it has ranged from 13.0% (2015) to 28.8% (2020). It is 3rd highest of 29 in Latin America & Caribbean, where the median is 14.0%. World rank, highest first: 25th of 174.

What is the labour force participation rate in Suriname?

The ILO puts the labour force participation rate in Suriname at 53.8% in 2025. Its high point since 2005 was 2019, at 56.3%; its low point was 2005, at 50.0%. Across Latin America & Caribbean the middle value was 63.4%, and Suriname placed 27th highest of 29. Of 174 countries with 2025 data, 137th highest.

What share of women in Suriname are in the labour force?

According to the ILO, the labour force participation rate for women in Suriname was 44.9% in 2025. Its high point since 2005 was 2019, at 46.0%; its low point was 2005, at 36.9%. Latin America & Caribbean median: 52.5%; Suriname is 25th highest of 29. Of 174 countries with 2025 data, 129th highest.

What is the employment rate in Suriname?

The ILO puts the employment to population ratio in Suriname at 49.6% in 2025. Its high point since 2005 was 2019, at 51.9%; its low point was 2005, at 45.3%. Latin America & Caribbean median: 59.4%; Suriname is 27th highest of 29. Of 174 countries with 2025 data, 138th highest.

How many workers in Suriname are self-employed or family workers?

According to the ILO, the share of workers who are own-account or contributing family workers in Suriname was 18.4% in 2025. Its high point since 2005 was 2019, at 19.6%; its low point was 2008, at 17.9%. It is 28th highest of 29 in Latin America & Caribbean, where the median is 29.8%. Worldwide: 118th of 174.

What share of jobs in Suriname are salaried?

In 2025, the share of workers who are paid employees in Suriname was 77.5%, according to the ILO. The peak was 79.8% in 2005 and the low 76.3% in 2019. Across Latin America & Caribbean the middle value was 64.8%, and Suriname placed 3rd highest of 29. World rank, highest first: 56th of 174.