Unemployment Rate: Suriname

Analysis# Suriname Unemployment Rate Suriname's unemployment rate stands at 9% in 2026, down significantly from its all-time peak of 13.8% in 2000 and representing a 27.4% decline since 1994. The country's lowest recorded rate of 5.5% occurred in 2014, establishing a benchmark for economic stability. The current 9% level reflects substantial progress from the historical average, positioning Suriname's labor market in moderate health relative to its three-decade track record. A sharp deterioration emerged between 2017 and 2020, when unemployment jumped from 7% to 11.1% within three years. Recovery began in 2021, with rates declining steadily from 11.2% through 2026. The consistent downward trajectory over the past five years suggests ongoing labor market strengthening, though the 9% current rate remains above the optimal 5.5% benchmark achieved a decade earlier.