Suriname Labor Force Participation
Labor force participation rate SL.TLF.CACT.ZS
Suriname's labor force participation was 53.82% in 2025, ranked 143rd globally. This represents a 0.0% decrease from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1990–2025.
Overview
Suriname's labor force participation stood at 53.82% in 2025, a decline of +0.01pp from 2024. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 54.05% by 2026. Suriname ranked 143rd globally.
Suriname's labor force participation rate has fluctuated over the past 36 years, with a notable increase from 46.61% in 1999 to 56.31% in 2019, marking the country's all-time peak. This improvement suggests a growing workforce, albeit with varying degrees of engagement. However, the rate has since declined to 53.82% in 2025, ranking Suriname 143 globally. For comparison, labor force participation in Belgium, a peer country, stood at 54.27% in 2025, indicating a relatively higher level of engagement. The decline in Suriname's rate since its peak may be attributed to various factors, including demographic changes or economic conditions. The trend suggests that Suriname's labor force participation rate may continue to decline unless the government implements policies to boost workforce engagement, such as investing in education and job training programs, or creating a more favorable business environment to stimulate economic growth.
Data & projection
| Year | Labor Force Participation | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2028* trend | 54.37% | - | - |
| 2027* trend | 54.21% | - | - |
| 2026* trend | 54.05% | - | - |
| 2025 | 53.82% | −0.01pp | #143 |
| 2024 | 53.84% | +0.25pp | #143 |
| 2023 | 53.58% | +0.17pp | #144 |
| 2022 | 53.41% | +0.17pp | #146 |
| 2021 | 53.25% | +0.59pp | #141 |
| 2020 | 52.65% | −3.66pp | #141 |
| 2019 | 56.31% | +0.01pp | #135 |
| 2018 | 56.30% | +0.16pp | #133 |
| 2017 | 56.14% | +0.02pp | #135 |
| 2016 | 56.12% | +0.55pp | #134 |
| 2015 | 55.56% | +0.56pp | #139 |
| 2014 | 55.01% | +0.56pp | #141 |
| 2013 | 54.45% | +0.56pp | #141 |
| 2012 | 53.89% | +0.56pp | #142 |
| 2011 | 53.34% | +0.56pp | #143 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Suriname matched the Fiscal Dominance Trap pattern in 2023. Historically, 72% of countries showing this pattern (278 out of 386) saw labor force participation improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Suriname's labor force participation was 53.82% in 2025. Ranked 143rd globally. This represents a 0.0% decrease from the previous year.
Suriname's labor force participation peaked at 56.31% in 2019.
The lowest labor force participation in Suriname was 46.61% in 1999.
Suriname ranks 143rd globally in labor force participation as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is SL.TLF.CACT.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
Suriname's labor force participation is projected to reach 54.05% by 2026 based on trend extrapolation.
The labor force participation of Suriname in 2025 was 53.82%. This ranks 143rd in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_suriname_labor-force-participation,
title = {Suriname Labor Force Participation},
url = {https://historysaid.com/suriname/labor-force-participation/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}