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South America :: Suriname

- ## Introduction :: SURINAME

- Background:
  First explored by the Spaniards in the 16th century and then settled by the English in the mid-17th century, Suriname became a Dutch colony in 1667. With the abolition of African slavery in 1863, workers were brought in from India and Java. The Netherlands granted the colony independence in 1975. Five years later the civilian government was replaced by a military regime that soon declared a socialist republic. It continued to exert control through a succession of nominally civilian administrations until 1987, when international pressure finally forced a democratic election. In 1990, the military overthrew the civilian leadership, but a democratically elected government - a four-party coalition - returned to power in 1991. The coalition expanded to eight parties in 2005 and ruled until August 2010, when voters returned former military leader Desire BOUTERSE and his opposition coalition to power.

- ## Geography :: SURINAME

- Location:
  Northern South America, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between French Guiana and Guyana
  Geographic coordinates:
  4 00 N, 56 00 W
  Map references:
  South America
  Area:
  total: 163,820 sq km
  land: 156,000 sq km
  water: 7,820 sq km
  country comparison to the world: 92
  Area - comparative:
  slightly larger than Georgia
  Land boundaries:
  total: 1,907 km
  border countries (3): Brazil 515 km, French Guiana 556 km, Guyana 836 km
  Coastline:
  386 km
  Maritime claims:
  territorial sea: 12 nm
  exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
  Climate:
  tropical; moderated by trade winds
  Terrain:
  mostly rolling hills; narrow coastal plain with swamps
  Elevation extremes:
  lowest point: unnamed location in the coastal plain -2 m
  highest point: Juliana Top 1,230 m
  Natural resources:
  timber, hydropower, fish, kaolin, shrimp, bauxite, gold, and small amounts of nickel, copper, platinum, iron ore
  Land use:
  agricultural land: 0.5%
  arable land 0.4%; permanent crops 0%; permanent pasture 0.1%
  forest: 94.6%
  other: 4.9% (2011 est.)
  Irrigated land:
  511.8 sq km (2003)
  Total renewable water resources:
  122 cu km (2011)
  Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural):
  total: 0.67 cu km/yr (6%/4%/90%)
  per capita: 1,396 cu m/yr (2006)
  Natural hazards:
  NA
  Environment - current issues:
  deforestation as timber is cut for export; pollution of inland waterways by small-scale mining activities
  Environment - international agreements:
  party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling
  signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
  Geography - note:
  smallest independent country on South American continent; mostly tropical rain forest; great diversity of flora and fauna that, for the most part, is increasingly threatened by new development; relatively small population, mostly along the coast

- ## People and Society :: SURINAME

- Nationality:
  noun: Surinamer(s)
  adjective: Surinamese
  Ethnic groups:
  Hindustani (also known locally as "East Indians"; their ancestors emigrated from northern India in the latter part of the 19th century) 37%, Creole (mixed white and black) 31%, Javanese 15%, "Maroons" (their African ancestors were brought to the country in the 17th and 18th centuries as slaves and escaped to the interior) 10%, Amerindian 2%, Chinese 2%, white 1%, other 2%
  Languages:
  Dutch (official), English (widely spoken), Sranang Tongo (Surinamese, sometimes called Taki-Taki, is native language of Creoles and much of the younger population and is lingua franca among others), Caribbean Hindustani (a dialect of Hindi), Javanese
  Religions:
  Hindu 27.4%, Protestant 25.2% (predominantly Moravian), Roman Catholic 22.8%, Muslim 19.6%, indigenous beliefs 5%
  Demographic profile:
  Suriname is a pluralistic society consisting primarily of Creoles (persons of mixed African and European heritage), the descendants of escaped African slaves known as Maroons, and the descendants of Indian and Javanese contract workers. The country overall is in full, post-industrial demographic transition, with a low fertility rate, a moderate mortality rate, and a rising life expectancy. However, the Maroon population of the rural interior lags behind because of lower educational attainment and contraceptive use, higher malnutrition, and significantly less access to electricity, potable water, sanitation, infrastructure, and health care.
  Some 350,000 people of Surinamese descent live in the Netherlands, Suriname's former colonial ruler. In the 19th century, better-educated, largely Dutch-speaking Surinamese began emigrating to the Netherlands. World War II interrupted the outflow, but it resumed after the war when Dutch labor demands grew - emigrants included all segments of the Creole population. Suriname still is strongly influenced by the Netherlands because most Surinamese have relatives living there and it is the largest supplier of development aid. Other emigration destinations include French Guiana and the United States. Suriname's immigration rules are flexible, and the country is easy to enter illegally because rainforests obscure its borders. Since the mid-1980s, Brazilians have settled in Suriname's capital, Paramaribo, or eastern Suriname, where they mine gold. This immigration is likely to slowly re-orient Suriname toward its Latin American roots.
  Population:
  579,633 (July 2015 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 171
  Age structure:
  0-14 years: 25.66% (male 75,791/female 72,934)
  15-24 years: 17.48% (male 51,657/female 49,662)
  25-54 years: 44.3% (male 130,726/female 126,048)
  55-64 years: 6.81% (male 19,291/female 20,198)
  65 years and over: 5.75% (male 14,395/female 18,931) (2015 est.)
  population pyramid:
  Dependency ratios:
  total dependency ratio: 50.8%
  youth dependency ratio: 40.4%
  elderly dependency ratio: 10.4%
  potential support ratio: 9.6% (2015 est.)
  Median age:
  total: 29.1 years
  male: 28.7 years
  female: 29.4 years (2015 est.)
  Population growth rate:
  1.08% (2015 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 113
  Birth rate:
  16.34 births/1,000 population (2015 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 117
  Death rate:
  6.13 deaths/1,000 population (2015 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 157
  Net migration rate:
  0.56 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2015 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 70
  Urbanization:
  urban population: 66% of total population (2015)
  rate of urbanization: 0.78% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)
  Major urban areas - population:
  PARAMARIBO (capital) 234,000 (2014)
  Sex ratio:
  at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
  0-14 years: 1.04 male(s)/female
  15-24 years: 1.04 male(s)/female
  25-54 years: 1.04 male(s)/female
  55-64 years: 0.96 male(s)/female
  65 years and over: 0.76 male(s)/female
  total population: 1.01 male(s)/female (2015 est.)
  Maternal mortality rate:
  155 deaths/100,000 live births (2015 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 63
  Infant mortality rate:
  total: 26.17 deaths/1,000 live births
  male: 30.48 deaths/1,000 live births
  female: 21.65 deaths/1,000 live births (2015 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 68
  Life expectancy at birth:
  total population: 71.97 years
  male: 69.57 years
  female: 74.48 years (2015 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 146
  Total fertility rate:
  1.97 children born/woman (2015 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 126
  Contraceptive prevalence rate:
  47.6% (2010)
  Hospital bed density:
  3.1 beds/1,000 population (2010)
  Drinking water source:
  improved:
  urban: 98.1% of population
  rural: 88.4% of population
  total: 94.8% of population
  unimproved:
  urban: 1.9% of population
  rural: 11.6% of population
  total: 5.2% of population (2015 est.)
  Sanitation facility access:
  improved:
  urban: 88.4% of population
  rural: 61.4% of population
  total: 79.2% of population
  unimproved:
  urban: 11.6% of population
  rural: 38.6% of population
  total: 20.8% of population (2015 est.)
  HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
  1.02% (2014 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 47
  HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
  3,800 (2014 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 110
  HIV/AIDS - deaths:
  200 (2014 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 100
  Major infectious diseases:
  degree of risk: very high
  food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever
  vectorborne disease: dengue fever and malaria (2013)
  Obesity - adult prevalence rate:
  26.1% (2014)
  country comparison to the world: 60
  Children under the age of 5 years underweight:
  5.8% (2010)
  country comparison to the world: 83
  Education expenditures:
  NA
  Literacy:
  definition: age 15 and over can read and write
  total population: 95.6%
  male: 96.1%
  female: 95% (2015 est.)
  Child labor - children ages 5-14:
  total number: 6,094
  percentage: 6% (2006 est.)
  Unemployment, youth ages 15-24:
  total: 15.3%
  male: 11.6%
  female: 21.7% (2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 51

- ## Government :: SURINAME

- Country name:
  conventional long form: Republic of Suriname
  conventional short form: Suriname
  local long form: Republiek Suriname
  local short form: Suriname
  former: Netherlands Guiana, Dutch Guiana
  Government type:
  constitutional democracy
  Capital:
  name: Paramaribo
  geographic coordinates: 5 50 N, 55 10 W
  time difference: UTC-3 (2 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
  Administrative divisions:
  10 districts (distrikten, singular - distrikt); Brokopondo, Commewijne, Coronie, Marowijne, Nickerie, Para, Paramaribo, Saramacca, Sipaliwini, Wanica
  Independence:
  25 November 1975 (from the Netherlands)
  National holiday:
  Independence Day, 25 November (1975)
  Constitution:
  previous 1975; latest ratified 30 September 1987, effective 30 October 1987; amended 1992 (2015)
  Legal system:
  civil law system influenced by Dutch civil law; note - the Commissie Nieuw Surinaamse Burgerlijk Wetboek completed drafting a new civil code in February 2009
  International law organization participation:
  accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; accepts ICCt jurisdiction
  Citizenship:
  citizenship by birth: no
  citizenship by descent only: at least one parent must be a citizen of Suriname
  dual citizenship recognized: no
  residency requirement for naturalization: 5 years
  Suffrage:
  18 years of age; universal
  Executive branch:
  chief of state: President Desire Delano BOUTERSE (since 12 August 2010); Vice President Ashwin ADHIN (since 12 August 2015); note - the president is both chief of state and head of government
  head of government: President Desire Delano BOUTERSE (since 12 August 2010); Vice President Ashwin ADHIN (since 12 August 2015)
  cabinet: Cabinet of Ministers appointed by the president
  elections/appointments: president and vice president indirectly elected by the National Assembly; president and vice president serve a 5-year term (no term limits); election last held on 25 May 2015 (next to be held on 25 May 2020)
  election results: Desire Delano BOUTERSE reelected president; National Assembly vote - NA
  Legislative branch:
  description: unicameral National Assembly or Nationale Assemblee (51 seats; members directly elected in multi-seat constituencies by proportional representation vote to serve 5-year terms)
  elections: last held on 25 May 2015 (next to be held in May 2020)
  election results: percent of vote by party - NDP 45.5%, V7 37.2%, A-Com 10.5%, DOE 4.3%, PALU .7%, other 1.7%; seats by party - NDP 26, V7 18, A-Com 5, DOE 1, PALU 1
  Judicial branch:
  highest resident court(s): High Court of Justice of Suriname (consists of the court president, vice president, and 4 judges); note - Suriname can appeal beyond its High Court to the Caribbean Court of Justice, with final appeal to the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council (in London)
  judge selection and term of office: court judges appointed by the national president after consultation with the High Court; judges appointed for life
  subordinate courts: cantonal courts
  Political parties and leaders:
  Alternative Combination or A-Com (a coalition that includes ABOP, KTPI, PDO)
  Brotherhood and Unity in Politics or BEP [Celsius WATERBERG]
  Democratic Alternative '91 or DA91 [Winston JESSURUN]
  General Liberation and Development Party or ABOP [Ronnie BRUNSWIJK}
  National Democratic Party or NDP [Desire Delano BOUTERSE]
  National Party of Suriname or NPS [Gregory RUSLAND]
  Party for Democracy and Development or PDO [Waldy NAIN]
  Party for Democracy and Development in Unity or DOE [Carl BREEVELD]
  Party for National Unity and Solidarity or KTPI [Willy SOEMITA]
  People's Alliance, Pertjaja Luhur or PL [Paul SOMOHARDJO]
  Progressive Worker and Farmer's Union or PALU [Jim HOK]
  Surinamese Labor Party or SPA [Guno CASTELEN]
  United Reform Party or VHP [Chandrikapersad SANTOKHI]
  Victory 7 or V7 (formerly the New Front for Democracy and Development or NF) (a coalition including NPS, VHP, DA91, PL, SPA) [Chandrikapresad SANTOKHI]
  Political pressure groups and leaders:
  Association of Indigenous Village Chiefs [Ricardo PANE]
  Association of Saramaccan Authorities or Maroon [Head Captain WASE]
  Women's Parliament Forum or PVF [Iris GILLIAD]
  International organization participation:
  ACP, AOSIS, Caricom, CD, CDB, CELAC, FAO, G-77, IADB, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITU, ITUC (NGOs), LAES, MIGA, NAM, OAS, OIC, OPANAL, OPCW, PCA, Petrocaribe, UN, UNASUR, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
  Diplomatic representation in the US:
  chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Sylvana Elvira SIMSON (since 1 September 2015)
  chancery: Suite 460, 4301 Connecticut Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008
  telephone: [1] (202) 244-7488
  FAX: [1] (202) 244-5878
  consulate(s) general: Miami
  Diplomatic representation from the US:
  chief of mission: Ambassador Jay N. ANANIA (since 1 October 2012)
  embassy: Dr. Sophie Redmondstraat 129, Paramaribo
  mailing address: US Department of State, PO Box 1821, Paramaribo
  telephone: [597] 472-900
  FAX: [597] 410-972
  Flag description:
  five horizontal bands of green (top, double width), white, red (quadruple width), white, and green (double width); a large, yellow, five-pointed star is centered in the red band; red stands for progress and love; green symbolizes hope and fertility; white signifies peace, justice, and freedom; the star represents the unity of all ethnic groups; from its yellow light the nation draws strength to bear sacrifices patiently while working toward a golden future
  National symbol(s):
  royal palm, faya lobi (flower); national colors: green, white, red, yellow
  National anthem:
  name: "God zij met ons Suriname!" (God Be With Our Suriname)
  lyrics/music: Cornelis Atses HOEKSTRA and Henry DE ZIEL/Johannes Corstianus DE PUY
  note: adopted 1959; originally adapted from a Sunday school song written in 1893 and contains lyrics in both Dutch and Sranang Tongo

- ## Economy :: SURINAME

- Economy - overview:
  The economy is dominated by the mining industry, with exports of oil, gold, and alumina accounting for about 85% of exports and 27% of government revenues, making the economy highly vulnerable to mineral price volatility. Economic growth has declined from just under 5% in 2012 and 2013 to 4% in 2014. In January 2011, the government devalued the currency by 20% and raised taxes to reduce the budget deficit. As a result of these measures, inflation receded to less than 4% in 2014. Suriname's economic prospects for the medium term will depend on continued commitment to responsible monetary and fiscal policies and to the introduction of structural reforms to liberalize markets and promote competition. The government's reliance on revenue from extractive industries will temper Suriname's economic outlook, especially if gold prices continue their downward trend.
  GDP (purchasing power parity):
  $8.987 billion (2014 est.)
  $8.825 billion (2013 est.)
  $8.581 billion (2012 est.)
  note: data are in 2014 US dollars
  country comparison to the world: 161
  GDP (official exchange rate):
  $5.21 billion (2014 est.)
  GDP - real growth rate:
  1.8% (2014 est.)
  2.8% (2013 est.)
  3.1% (2012 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 155
  GDP - per capita (PPP):
  $16,300 (2014 est.)
  $16,000 (2013 est.)
  $15,500 (2012 est.)
  note: data are in 2014 US dollars
  country comparison to the world: 99
  Gross national saving:
  25.9% of GDP (2014 est.)
  26% of GDP (2013 est.)
  30.5% of GDP (2012 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 43
  GDP - composition, by end use:
  household consumption: 49.6%
  government consumption: 10.7%
  investment in fixed capital: 11.3%
  investment in inventories: 30.1%
  exports of goods and services: 26.3%
  imports of goods and services: -28%
  (2014 est.)
  GDP - composition, by sector of origin:
  agriculture: 6.2%
  industry: 48.9%
  services: 44.8% (2014 est.)
  Agriculture - products:
  rice, bananas, palm kernels, coconuts, plantains, peanuts; beef, chickens; shrimp; forest products
  Industries:
  bauxite and gold mining, alumina production; oil, lumbering, food processing, fishing
  Industrial production growth rate:
  2.5% (2014 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 98
  Labor force:
  165,600 (2007 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 176
  Labor force - by occupation:
  agriculture: 11.2%
  industry: 19.5%
  services: 69.3% (2010)
  Unemployment rate:
  8.9% (2014 est.)
  8.5% (2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 103
  Population below poverty line:
  70% (2002 est.)
  Household income or consumption by percentage share:
  lowest 10%: NA%
  highest 10%: NA%
  Budget:
  revenues: $1.156 billion
  expenditures: $1.383 billion (2014 est.)
  Taxes and other revenues:
  22.2% of GDP (2014 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 146
  Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-):
  -4.4% of GDP (2014 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 161
  Fiscal year:
  calendar year
  Inflation rate (consumer prices):
  3.4% (2014 est.)
  1.9% (2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 140
  Central bank discount rate:
  10% (2013)
  9% (2012)
  country comparison to the world: 19
  Commercial bank prime lending rate:
  12.28% (31 December 2014 est.)
  11.99% (31 December 2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 64
  Stock of narrow money:
  $1.409 billion (31 December 2014 est.)
  $1.353 billion (31 December 2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 143
  Stock of broad money:
  $2.885 billion (31 December 2014 est.)
  $2.736 billion (31 December 2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 145
  Stock of domestic credit:
  $2.029 billion (31 December 2014 est.)
  $1.669 billion (31 December 2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 138
  Market value of publicly traded shares:
  $NA
  Current account balance:
  -$386 million (2014 est.)
  -$198 million (2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 99
  Exports:
  $2.149 billion (2014 est.)
  $2.395 billion (2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 143
  Exports - commodities:
  alumina, gold, crude oil, lumber, shrimp and fish, rice, bananas
  Exports - partners:
  US 32.1%, UAE 16.8%, Belgium 13.4%, Canada 10%, France 6.2%, Netherlands 4.3% (2014)
  Imports:
  $1.966 billion (2014 est.)
  $2.126 billion (2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 164
  Imports - commodities:
  capital equipment, petroleum, foodstuffs, cotton, consumer goods
  Imports - partners:
  US 31.3%, Netherlands 16.6%, China 10.7%, Trinidad and Tobago 6.9%, Japan 4.2% (2014)
  Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
  $625.2 million (31 December 2014 est.)
  $778.8 million (31 December 2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 143
  Debt - external:
  $1.067 billion (31 December 2014 est.)
  $983 million (31 December 2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 163
  Exchange rates:
  Surinamese dollars (SRD) per US dollar -
  3.3 (2014 est.)
  3.3 (2013 est.)
  3.3 (2012 est.)
  3.2683 (2011 est.)
  2.7454 (2010 est.)

- ## Energy :: SURINAME

- Electricity - production:
  1.75 billion kWh (2012 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 144
  Electricity - consumption:
  1.572 billion kWh (2012 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 147
  Electricity - exports:
  0 kWh (2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 180
  Electricity - imports:
  0 kWh (2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 185
  Electricity - installed generating capacity:
  412,000 kW (2012 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 146
  Electricity - from fossil fuels:
  54.1% of total installed capacity (2012 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 145
  Electricity - from nuclear fuels:
  0% of total installed capacity (2012 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 158
  Electricity - from hydroelectric plants:
  45.9% of total installed capacity (2012 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 53
  Electricity - from other renewable sources:
  0% of total installed capacity (2012 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 210
  Crude oil - production:
  15,000 bbl/day (2014 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 77
  Crude oil - exports:
  0 bbl/day (2012 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 172
  Crude oil - imports:
  0 bbl/day (2012 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 111
  Crude oil - proved reserves:
  88.97 million bbl (1 January 2015 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 73
  Refined petroleum products - production:
  15,980 bbl/day (2012 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 98
  Refined petroleum products - consumption:
  17,000 bbl/day (2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 137
  Refined petroleum products - exports:
  8,884 bbl/day (2012 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 88
  Refined petroleum products - imports:
  10,070 bbl/day (2012 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 137
  Natural gas - production:
  0 cu m (2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 114
  Natural gas - consumption:
  0 cu m (2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 182
  Natural gas - exports:
  0 cu m (2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 157
  Natural gas - imports:
  0 cu m (2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 114
  Natural gas - proved reserves:
  0 cu m (1 January 2011 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 180
  Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy:
  2.268 million Mt (2012 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 147

- ## Communications :: SURINAME

- Telephones - fixed lines:
  total subscriptions: 84,900
  subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 15 (2014 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 147
  Telephones - mobile cellular:
  total: 927,800
  subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 162 (2014 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 159
  Telephone system:
  general assessment: international facilities are good
  domestic: combined fixed-line and mobile-cellular teledensity 185 telephones per 100 persons; microwave radio relay network
  international: country code - 597; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) (2010)
  Broadcast media:
  2 state-owned TV stations; 1 state-owned radio station; multiple private radio and TV stations (2007)
  Radio broadcast stations:
  AM 4, FM 23, shortwave 3 (2008)
  Television broadcast stations:
  3 (plus 7 repeaters) (2000)
  Internet country code:
  .sr
  Internet users:
  total: 212,900
  percent of population: 37.1% (2014 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 154

- ## Transportation :: SURINAME

- Airports:
  55 (2013)
  country comparison to the world: 85
  Airports - with paved runways:
  total: 6
  over 3,047 m: 1
  under 914 m: 5 (2013)
  Airports - with unpaved runways:
  total: 49
  914 to 1,523 m: 4
  under 914 m:
  45 (2013)
  Pipelines:
  oil 50 km (2013)
  Roadways:
  total: 4,304 km
  paved: 1,130 km
  unpaved: 3,174 km (2003)
  country comparison to the world: 155
  Waterways:
  1,200 km (most navigable by ships with drafts up to 7 m) (2011)
  country comparison to the world: 58
  Ports and terminals:
  major seaport(s): Paramaribo, Wageningen

- ## Military :: SURINAME

- Military branches:
  Suriname Armed Forces: Ground Forces, Naval Forces, Air Forces (2010)
  Military service age and obligation:
  18 is the legal minimum age for voluntary military service; no conscription; personnel drawn almost exclusively from the Creole community (2012)
  Manpower available for military service:
  males age 16-49: 134,218
  females age 16-49: 134,439 (2010 est.)
  Manpower fit for military service:
  males age 16-49: 109,445
  females age 16-49: 112,538 (2010 est.)
  Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
  male: 4,119
  female: 4,106 (2010 est.)

- ## Transnational Issues :: SURINAME

- Disputes - international:
  area claimed by French Guiana between Riviere Litani and Riviere Marouini (both headwaters of the Lawa); Suriname claims a triangle of land between the New and Kutari/Koetari rivers in a historic dispute over the headwaters of the Courantyne; Guyana seeks United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea arbitration to resolve the longstanding dispute with Suriname over the axis of the territorial sea boundary in potentially oil-rich waters
  Trafficking in persons:
  current situation: Suriname is a source and destination country for women, men, and children subjected to sex trafficking and forced labor; women and girls from Suriname, Guyana, Brazil, and the Dominican Republic are subjected to sex trafficking in the country, sometimes in interior mining camps; Surinamese women and girls are also sexually exploited in French Guiana; migrant workers in agriculture and on fishing boats and children working in informal urban sectors and gold mines are vulnerable to forced labor
  tier rating: Tier 2 Watch List – Suriname does not fully comply with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking; however, it is making significant efforts to do so; the government has a written plan that, if implemented, would constitute a significant effort toward meeting the minimum standards for eliminating human trafficking; in 2013, the government prosecuted an increased number of sex trafficking cases but decreased investigations and prosecutions of sex trafficking offenders; authorities failed to investigate, prosecute, or convict labor traffickers; fewer sex trafficking and no forced labor victims were identified; protective services for victims were inadequate, but plans to open a government-run shelter for women and child victims were initiated in 2014; a national strategy to combat human trafficking was also adopted in 2014 (2014)
  Illicit drugs:
  growing transshipment point for South American drugs destined for Europe via the Netherlands and Brazil; transshipment point for arms-for-drugs dealing

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