Suriname

THE REPUBLIC OF Suriname, located in northern South America, received its name from the Surinen Indians who originally inhabited the land. Suriname became a Dutch colony early in the 17th century and was renamed Dutch Guiana. Five years after gaining independence in 1975, Suriname became a socialist republic but was ruled by a series of civilians with nominal power. International pressure led to free elections in 1987, but the elected government was overthrown two years later. By 1991, democracy had been restored, and free elections have continued.

The alumina industry dominates the Surinamese economy, providing 15 percent of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and 70 percent of export earnings. Services generate 65 percent of the GDP, and industry produces 22 percent. Agriculture accounts for 13 percent of the GDP. In general, the economy is still in the process of becoming a viable market economy. This change is taking place by means of structural reforms, liberalized markets, and increased competition. Austerity measures have been introduced and tax increases have been instituted. The Netherlands has temporarily resumed aid to Suriname. Prospects for future economic growth are tied to offshore oil production and bauxite and gold mining. Suriname ranks 17th in development potential among the richest countries of the world.

With an annual per capita income of $4,300, Suriname is a lower-income nation with a poverty rate of 70 to 80 percent and an unemployment rate of 17 percent. Economic inequality has doubled in Suriname since the 1970s. The richest 20 percent of the population hold over 50 percent of the nation's wealth. Approximately 11 percent of the Surinamese people are malnourished.

In addition to lacking basic needs, many people live in constant fear. Ironically, many civil servants in Suriname have traditionally lived below the poverty line. Most of them are women, who remain in these jobs because they would not have health insurance otherwise. Proposals for establishing a state insurance fund that would cover all citizens have been debated but never passed.

In 1980, the projected life span was 64 years for Surinamese males and 69 years for females. Longevity rates have been steadily increasing over the last decades. Currently, life expectancy in Suriname is 68.96 years. Females (71.27 years) outlive males (66.75) by about four years. Suriname has a population of only 438,144. The median age is 26.13 years. Almost 30 percent of the population are under the age of 14, and 6.2 percent are at least 65 years old. With a prevalence rate of 1.7 percent, HIV/AIDS is of growing concern in Suriname. More than 5,000 Surinamese are living with the disease. Fewer than 500 have died. Access to healthcare is inadequate, and there are only 50 physicians for every 100,000 residents. Around 18 percent of the population have no access to safe drinking water, and seven percent lack basic sanitation.

Infant mortality is high in Suriname, but rates have decreased in recent years. Between 1990 and 2005, the infant mortality rate dropped from 35 to 23.57 deaths per 1,000 live births. Among all children under the age of 5, the mortality rate dropped from 48 to 39 per 1,000 deaths. About 13 percent of children under the age of 5 are malnourished, and 13 percent of infants are underweight at birth. Immunization rates for children from birth to 23 months old are relatively low, ranging from 71 to 74 percent.

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