Suriname · Americas
How many people die in Suriname every day?
In Suriname, about 12 people die every day, roughly one death every 2 hours. That is about 4,500 deaths a year, less than 0.1% of everyone who dies worldwide and the 160th highest total of 194 countries. Life expectancy is 71.3 years and the leading cause of death is cardiovascular disease. See every death on earth as it happens on the live death counter.
Deaths per day
12
Deaths per year
4,500
Life expectancy
71.3 years
Population
623,236
Death rate
7.2 per 1,000
Top cause of death
Cardiovascular disease
Compared to the World Average
Life expectancy
Suriname
71.3
World avg
72.8
-1.5 yrs
Death rate (per 1,000)
Suriname
7.2
World avg
7.7
Deaths in Suriname by time period
| Per hour | 0.5 |
| Per day | 12 |
| Per week | 86 |
| Per month | 375 |
| Per year | 4,500 |
What people die of in Suriname
According to the World Health Organization’s Global Health Estimates, the single biggest cause of death in Suriname in 2023 was heart disease (ischaemic), which accounted for 13.1% of all deaths, about 1.7 a day. It was followed by stroke and diabetes.
Deaths from kidney diseases have more than doubled since 2000, from about 103 to 277 a year.
WHO counts single causes, so heart disease and stroke appear as separate rows. Grouped together as cardiovascular disease, the category in the summary above, they are the largest killer.
| # | Cause | Deaths (2023) | Per day | Share | Since 2000 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Heart disease (ischaemic) | 634 | 1.7 | 13.1% | +83% |
| 2 | Stroke | 577 | 1.6 | 11.9% | +63% |
| 3 | Diabetes | 324 | under 1 | 6.7% | +153% |
| 4 | Kidney diseases | 277 | under 1 | 5.7% | +169% |
| 5 | HIV/AIDS | 256 | under 1 | 5.3% | +35% |
| 6 | Pneumonia and other lower respiratory infections | 217 | under 1 | 4.5% | +92% |
| 7 | Suicide | 190 | under 1 | 3.9% | +88% |
| 8 | Hypertensive heart disease | 161 | under 1 | 3.3% | +144% |
| 9 | COPD | 127 | under 1 | 2.6% | +135% |
| 10 | Alzheimer's and other dementias | 121 | under 1 | 2.5% | n/a |
Deaths in Suriname since 2000
WHO estimates that about 4,841 people died in Suriname in 2023, 76% more than in 2000. Totals rise as populations grow and age, even when health improves. WHO’s modelled estimates can differ from the headline figures above, which come from a different source.
| 2000 | 2,757 deaths |
| 2010 | 3,378 deaths |
| 2019 | 4,318 deaths |
| 2023 | 4,841 deaths |
Life expectancy in Suriname since 1950
A baby born in Suriname in 1950 could expect to live about 50.7 years. By 2023 that had risen to 73.6, a gain of 22.9 years. See how this compares worldwide on our life expectancy by country page.
| 1950 | 50.7 years |
| 1980 | 60.7 years |
| 2000 | 64.4 years |
| 2010 | 69.6 years |
| 2019 | 71.8 years |
| 2023 | 73.6 years |
Suriname compared with similar countries in Americas
Among the 24 countries in Americas on this site, Suriname ranks 0th for life expectancy. Here is how it compares with the countries closest to it in population.
| Country | Deaths per day | Life expectancy | Top cause |
|---|---|---|---|
| Suriname | 12 | 71.3 | Cardiovascular disease |
| Trinidad and Tobago | 33 | 73.5 | Cardiovascular disease |
| Jamaica | 55 | 75.3 | Cardiovascular disease |
| Uruguay | 90 | 77.9 | Cardiovascular disease |
| Panama | 60 | 78.5 | Cardiovascular disease |
| Costa Rica | 71 | 80.3 | Cardiovascular disease |
Sources: WHO Global Health Estimates 2023 (deaths by cause and totals); UN World Population Prospects via Our World in Data (life expectancy). Figures are modelled estimates and are rounded.
Frequently asked questions
How many people die in Suriname every day?
In Suriname, about 12 people die every day, or roughly one death every 2 hours. That adds up to about 4,500 deaths a year, less than 0.1% of all deaths worldwide.
What is the leading cause of death in Suriname?
Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in Suriname. Heart disease and stroke are the biggest killers in most countries, driven largely by high blood pressure, smoking, diet and inactivity. Counting single causes, WHO's estimates put heart disease (ischaemic) first in 2023, with 13.1% of deaths.
What is the life expectancy in Suriname?
Life expectancy at birth in Suriname is 71.3 years, 1.5 years below the world average of 72.8. That ranks 118th of 194 countries.
Is the death rate in Suriname high?
Suriname records about 7.2 deaths per 1,000 people each year, below the world average of 7.7. Crude death rates are higher in countries with older populations, so a high rate does not always mean poor health care.