title: Demographics of Suriname
text: # Demographics of Suriname
  
  This is a demography of the population of Suriname, including population density, ethnicity, education level, health of the populace, economic status, religious affiliations, and other aspects of the population.
  
  Most Surinamese people live in the narrow, northern coastal plain. The population is one of the most ethnically varied in the world. Each ethnic group preserves its own culture, and many institutions, including political parties, tend to follow ethnic lines. Informal relationships vary: the upper classes of all ethnic backgrounds mix freely; outside of the elite, social relations tend to remain within ethnic groupings. All groups may be found in the schools and workplace.
  
  ## Population
  
  According to the 2022 revision of the World Population Prospects the total population was 612,985 in 2021, compared to only 215,000 in 1950. The proportion of children below the age of 15 in 2010 was 28.6%, 65% was between 15 and 65 years of age, while 6.5% was 65 years or older . According to 2012 census, there were 270,629 males and 271,009 females in Suriname.
  
  | Year | Total population (x 1000) | Proportion (%) aged | Proportion (%) aged | Proportion (%) aged |
  | - | - | - | - | - |
  | Year | Total population (x 1000) | 0–14 | 15–64 | 65+ |
  | 1950 | 215 | 40.0 | 54.0 | 6.0 |
  | 1955 | 250 | 43.2 | 52.0 | 4.8 |
  | 1960 | 290 | 47.6 | 48.3 | 4.1 |
  | 1965 | 332 | 48.2 | 47.8 | 4.0 |
  | 1970 | 372 | 48.3 | 47.8 | 3.9 |
  | 1975 | 364 | 47.6 | 48.5 | 3.9 |
  | 1980 | 366 | 39.9 | 55.7 | 4.4 |
  | 1985 | 376 | 35.8 | 59.8 | 4.5 |
  | 1990 | 407 | 33.3 | 62.0 | 4.7 |
  | 1995 | 436 | 32.2 | 62.6 | 5.2 |
  | 2000 | 467 | 30.6 | 63.7 | 5.7 |
  | 2005 | 500 | 29.8 | 64.1 | 6.1 |
  | 2010 | 525 | 28.6 | 65.0 | 6.5 |
  
  ## Total and Percent Distribution of Population by Age (Censuses 2004 & 2012)
  
  | Age group | 2004 | 2004 | 2012 | 2012 |
  | - | - | - | - | - |
  | Age group | Number | Percent | Number | Percent |
  | 0-14 | 146.389 | 29,81 | 148.767 | 27.47 |
  | 15-59 | 299.547 | 60.78 | 334.949 | 61.84 |
  | 60+ | 42.189 | 8.56 | 54.527 | 10.07 |
  | Total | 492.829 | 100 | 541.638 | 100 |
  
  ### Structure of the population
  
  | Age Group | Male | Female | Total | % |
  | - | - | - | - | - |
  | Total | 248 046 | 244 783 | 492 829 | 100 |
  | 0-4 | 26 252 | 25 585 | 51 837 | 10.52 |
  | 5-9 | 25 200 | 24 209 | 49 409 | 10.03 |
  | 10-14 | 22 889 | 22 254 | 45 143 | 9.16 |
  | 15-19 | 23 465 | 23 043 | 46 508 | 9.44 |
  | 20-24 | 22 437 | 21 406 | 43 843 | 8.90 |
  | 25-29 | 19 006 | 18 895 | 37 901 | 7.69 |
  | 30-34 | 19 828 | 19 166 | 38 994 | 7.91 |
  | 35-39 | 19 179 | 18 100 | 37 279 | 7.56 |
  | 40-44 | 17 657 | 16 328 | 33 985 | 6.90 |
  | 45-49 | 12 643 | 12 992 | 25 635 | 5.20 |
  | 50-54 | 9 933 | 10 487 | 20 420 | 4.14 |
  | 55-59 | 6 955 | 8 027 | 14 982 | 3.04 |
  | 60-64 | 6 200 | 7 059 | 13 259 | 2.69 |
  | 65-69 | 5 148 | 5 454 | 10 602 | 2.15 |
  | 70-74 | 4 103 | 4 556 | 8 659 | 1.76 |
  | 75-79 | 2 419 | 2 733 | 5 152 | 1.05 |
  | 80-84 | 1 235 | 1 618 | 2 853 | 0.58 |
  | 85-89 | 392 | 677 | 1 075 | 0.22 |
  | 90-94 | 196 | 294 | 490 | 0.10 |
  | 95+ | 34 | 95 | 129 | 0.03 |
  | Age group | Male | Female | Total | Percent |
  | 0-14 | 74 341 | 72 048 | 146 389 | 29.70 |
  | 15-64 | 157 293 | 155 489 | 312 782 | 63.47 |
  | 65+ | 13 527 | 15 427 | 28 954 | 5.88 |
  | unknown | 2 885 | 1 819 | 4 704 | 0.95 |
  | Age Group | Male | Female | Total | % |
  | Total | 272 690 | 267 220 | 539 910 | 100 |
  | 0-4 | 24 910 | 24 150 | 49 060 | 9.09 |
  | 5-9 | 26 400 | 25 160 | 51 560 | 9.55 |
  | 10-14 | 25 950 | 24 850 | 50 800 | 9.41 |
  | 15-19 | 24 510 | 23 670 | 48 180 | 8.92 |
  | 20-24 | 23 270 | 22 500 | 45 770 | 8.48 |
  | 25-29 | 22 310 | 21 360 | 43 670 | 8.09 |
  | 30-34 | 21 180 | 20 150 | 41 330 | 7.65 |
  | 35-39 | 20 130 | 19 110 | 39 240 | 7.27 |
  | 40-44 | 18 570 | 17 720 | 36 290 | 6.72 |
  | 45-49 | 16 370 | 15 830 | 32 200 | 5.96 |
  | 50-54 | 13 940 | 13 730 | 27 670 | 5.12 |
  | 55-59 | 10 970 | 11 200 | 22 170 | 4.11 |
  | 60-64 | 8 340 | 8 890 | 17 230 | 3.19 |
  | 65-69 | 6 200 | 6 870 | 13 070 | 2.42 |
  | 70-74 | 4 360 | 5 060 | 9 420 | 1.74 |
  | 75-79 | 2 860 | 3 500 | 6 360 | 1.18 |
  | 80+ | 2 420 | 3 470 | 5 890 | 1.09 |
  | Age group | Male | Female | Total | Percent |
  | 0-14 | 77 260 | 72 048 | 149 308 | 27.65 |
  | 15-64 | 179 590 | 176 272 | 355 862 | 65.91 |
  | 65+ | 15 840 | 18 900 | 34 740 | 6.43 |
  | Age Group | Male | Female | Total | % |
  | Total | 270 629 | 271 009 | 541 638 | 100 |
  | 0–4 | 25 968 | 24 580 | 50 548 | 9.33 |
  | 5–9 | 24 549 | 23 186 | 47 735 | 8.81 |
  | 10–14 | 26 166 | 24 318 | 50 484 | 9.32 |
  | 15–19 | 22 772 | 22 336 | 45 108 | 8.33 |
  | 20–24 | 21 656 | 22 106 | 43 762 | 8.08 |
  | 25–29 | 21 761 | 22 185 | 43 946 | 8.11 |
  | 30–34 | 19 355 | 19 696 | 39 051 | 7.21 |
  | 35–39 | 18 316 | 18 113 | 36 429 | 6.73 |
  | 40–44 | 18 763 | 18 620 | 37 383 | 6.90 |
  | 45–49 | 18 083 | 17 948 | 36 031 | 6.65 |
  | 50–54 | 15 313 | 15 338 | 30 651 | 5.66 |
  | 55–59 | 10 929 | 11 659 | 22 588 | 4.17 |
  | 60–64 | 7 734 | 8 763 | 16 497 | 3.05 |
  | 65-69 | 5 951 | 7 057 | 13 008 | 2.40 |
  | 70-74 | 4 619 | 5 514 | 10 133 | 1.87 |
  | 75-79 | 3 393 | 4 163 | 7 556 | 1.40 |
  | 80-84 | 1 934 | 2 499 | 4 433 | 0.82 |
  | 85-89 | 743 | 1 235 | 1 978 | 0.37 |
  | 90-94 | 274 | 438 | 712 | 0.13 |
  | 95+ | 64 | 146 | 210 | 0.04 |
  | Age group | Male | Female | Total | Percent |
  | 0–14 | 76 683 | 72 084 | 148 767 | 27.47 |
  | 15–64 | 176 968 | 177 873 | 354 841 | 65.51 |
  | 65+ | 16 978 | 21 052 | 38 030 | 7.02 |
  | unknown | 2 286 | 1 109 | 3 395 | 0.63 |
  | Age Group | Male | Female | Total | % |
  | Total | 300 500 | 302 000 | 602 500 | 100 |
  | 0–4 | 27 500 | 26 700 | 54 200 | 9.00 |
  | 5–9 | 26 500 | 25 300 | 51 800 | 8.60 |
  | 10–14 | 25 500 | 23 900 | 49 400 | 8.20 |
  | 15–19 | 25 000 | 23 500 | 48 500 | 8.05 |
  | 20–24 | 24 100 | 23 300 | 47 400 | 7.87 |
  | 25–29 | 23 300 | 22 800 | 46 100 | 7.65 |
  | 30–34 | 22 200 | 22 200 | 44 400 | 7.37 |
  | 35–39 | 21 100 | 21 200 | 42 300 | 7.02 |
  | 40–44 | 19 900 | 20 000 | 39 900 | 6.62 |
  | 45–49 | 18 800 | 18 900 | 37 700 | 6.26 |
  | 50–54 | 17 400 | 17 600 | 35 000 | 5.81 |
  | 55–59 | 14 800 | 15 500 | 30 300 | 5.03 |
  | 60–64 | 12 100 | 13 200 | 25 300 | 4.20 |
  | 65-69 | 8 800 | 10 300 | 19 100 | 3.17 |
  | 70-74 | 6 000 | 7 500 | 13 500 | 2.24 |
  | 75-79 | 3 900 | 5 100 | 9 000 | 1.49 |
  | 80+ | 3 600 | 5 000 | 8 600 | 1.43 |
  | Age group | Male | Female | Total | Percent |
  | 0–14 | 79 500 | 75 900 | 155 400 | 25.79 |
  | 15–64 | 198 700 | 198 200 | 396 900 | 65.88 |
  | 65+ | 22 300 | 27 900 | 50 200 | 8.33 |
  
  ## Vital statistics
  
  The Population Departement of the United Nations prepared the following estimates for Suriname.
  
  | Period | Live births per year | Deaths per year | Natural change per year | CBR* | CDR* | NC* | TFR* | IMR* | Life expectancy total | Life expectancy males | Life expectancy females |
  | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
  | 1950-1955 | 10 000 | 3 000 | 7 000 | 48.0 | 14.9 | 33.1 | 6.56 | 89 | 56.0 | 54.4 | 57.7 |
  | 1955-1960 | 12 000 | 3 000 | 9 000 | 46.0 | 12.4 | 33.6 | 6.56 | 76 | 58.7 | 57.0 | 60.5 |
  | 1960-1965 | 14 000 | 3 000 | 11 000 | 44.8 | 10.6 | 34.2 | 6.56 | 64 | 60.5 | 58.7 | 62.5 |
  | 1965-1970 | 14 000 | 3 000 | 11 000 | 39.7 | 9.0 | 30.6 | 5.95 | 55 | 62.4 | 60.5 | 64.5 |
  | 1970-1975 | 13 000 | 3 000 | 10 000 | 34.9 | 8.3 | 26.6 | 5.29 | 49 | 64.0 | 61.7 | 66.5 |
  | 1975-1980 | 11 000 | 3 000 | 8 000 | 30.2 | 7.4 | 22.8 | 4.20 | 44 | 65.1 | 62.8 | 67.7 |
  | 1980-1985 | 11 000 | 3 000 | 8 000 | 30.0 | 7.3 | 22.7 | 3.70 | 42 | 66.5 | 63.6 | 69.8 |
  | 1985-1990 | 10 000 | 3 000 | 7 000 | 25.4 | 7.2 | 18.2 | 3.00 | 39 | 67.1 | 64.0 | 70.7 |
  | 1990-1995 | 9 000 | 3 000 | 6 000 | 22.5 | 7.1 | 15.4 | 2.60 | 34 | 67.6 | 64.4 | 71.1 |
  | 1995-2000 | 11 000 | 3 000 | 8 000 | 23.6 | 7.4 | 16.2 | 2.80 | 29 | 67.8 | 64.6 | 71.4 |
  | 2000-2005 | 10 000 | 4 000 | 6 000 | 21.0 | 7.6 | 13.4 | 2.60 | 24 | 68.1 | 64.8 | 71.7 |
  | 2005-2010 | 10 000 | 4 000 | 6 000 | 19.1 | 7.3 | 11.9 | 2.42 | 22 | 69.6 | 66.4 | 73.1 |
  | * CBR = crude birth rate (per 1000); CDR = crude death rate (per 1000); NC = natural change (per 1000); IMR = infant mortality rate per 1000 births; TFR = total fertility rate (number of children per woman) ||||||||||||
  
  ### Births and deaths
  
  Births and deaths :
  
  | Year | Population | Live births | Deaths | Natural increase | Crude birth rate | Crude death rate | Rate of natural increase | TFR |
  | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
  | 1948 | | 6,476 | 2,217 | 4,259 | | | | |
  | 1949 | | 6,473 | 2,243 | 4,230 | | | | |
  | 1950 | | 6,863 | 1,974 | 4,889 | | | | |
  | 1951 | | 7,710 | 1,965 | 5,745 | | | | |
  | 1952 | | 8,453 | 1,917 | 6,536 | | | | |
  | 1953 | | 8,878 | 2,159 | 6,719 | | | | |
  | 1954 | | 9,154 | 1,919 | 7,235 | | | | |
  | 1955 | | 9,458 | 1,989 | 7,469 | | | | |
  | 1956 | | 10,177 | 2,131 | 8,040 | | | | |
  | 1957 | | 10,001 | 2,274 | 7,727 | | | | |
  | 1958 | | 11,151 | 1,942 | 9,209 | | | | |
  | 1959 | | 11,757 | 2,055 | 9,702 | | | | |
  | 1960 | | 11,702 | 2,144 | 9,558 | | | | |
  | 1961 | | 12,835 | 2,310 | 10,525 | | | | |
  | 1962 | | 13,141 | 2,412 | 10,729 | | | | |
  | 1963 | | | 2,406 | | | | | |
  | 1964 | | | 2,292 | | | | | |
  | 1965 | | 13,253 | 2,378 | 10,875 | | | | |
  | 1966 | | 12,925 | 2,280 | 10,645 | | | | |
  | 1967 | | | | | | | | |
  | 1968 | | | | | | | | |
  | 1969 | | | | | | | | |
  | 1970 | | | | | | | | |
  | 1971 | | | 2,540 | | | | | |
  | 1972 | | 12,557 | | | | | | |
  | 1973 | | 11,881 | | | | | | |
  | 1974 | | 11,809 | | | | | | |
  | 1975 | | 10,031 | | | | | | |
  | 1976 | | 11,176 | | | | | | |
  | 1977 | | 11,099 | | | | | | |
  | 1978 | | 10,673 | | | | | | |
  | 1979 | | 10,586 | | | | | | |
  | 1980 | 355,240 | 9,848 | | | | | | |
  | 1981 | 360,021 | 10,094 | | | | | | |
  | 1982 | 364,854 | 11,205 | 2,377 | 8,828 | | | | |
  | 1983 | 369,752 | 11,823 | | | | | | |
  | 1984 | 374,716 | 11,501 | | | | | | |
  | 1985 | 379,746 | 11,704 | 2,275 | 9,429 | | | | |
  | 1986 | 384,844 | 10,176 | | | | | | |
  | 1987 | 390,011 | 9,660 | | | | | | |
  | 1988 | 395,246 | 9,094 | | | | | | |
  | 1989 | 400,552 | 10,217 | 2,717 | 7,500 | | | | |
  | 1990 | 405,930 | 9,545 | 2,792 | 6,753 | | | | |
  | 1991 | 411,397 | 9,104 | 2,573 | 6,531 | | | | |
  | 1992 | 416,902 | 9,835 | 2,717 | 7,118 | | | | |
  | 1993 | 422,498 | 9,398 | 2,998 | 6,400 | | | | |
  | 1994 | 428,170 | 8,418 | 2,842 | 5,576 | | | | |
  | 1995 | 433,918 | 8,717 | 2,696 | 6,021 | | | | |
  | 1996 | 439,743 | 9,393 | 2,894 | 6,499 | 22.7 | 7.0 | 15.7 | |
  | 1997 | 445,647 | 10,794 | 2,878 | 7,916 | 25.8 | 6.9 | 18.9 | |
  | 1998 | 451,629 | 10,221 | 2,814 | 7,407 | 24.1 | 6.6 | 17.5 | |
  | 1999 | 457,692 | 10,144 | 2,992 | 7,152 | 23.6 | 7.0 | 16.6 | |
  | 2000 | 463,837 | 9,804 | 3,090 | 6,714 | 22.5 | 7.1 | 15.4 | |
  | 2001 | 470,064 | 9,717 | 3,099 | 6,618 | 20.7 | 6.6 | 14.1 | |
  | 2002 | 476,374 | 10,188 | 3,125 | 7,063 | 21.4 | 6.6 | 14.8 | |
  | 2003 | 481,146 | 9,634 | 3,154 | 6,480 | 20.0 | 6.6 | 13.4 | |
  | 2004 | 492,829 | 9,062 | 3,319 | 5,743 | 18.6 | 6.8 | 11.8 | |
  | 2005 | 498,543 | 8,657 | 3,392 | 5,265 | 17.4 | 6.8 | 10.6 | 2.14 |
  | 2006 | 504,257 | 9,311 | 3,197 | 6,114 | 18.5 | 6.4 | 12.1 | 2.28 |
  | 2007 | 509,970 | 9,769 | 3,374 | 6,395 | 19.2 | 6.6 | 12.6 | 2.38 |
  | 2008 | 517,052 | 10,097 | 3,357 | 6,740 | 19.5 | 6.5 | 13.0 | 2.44 |
  | 2009 | 524,143 | 9,792 | 3,293 | 6,499 | 18.7 | 6.3 | 12.4 | 2.34 |
  | 2010 | 531,170 | 9,712 | 3,484 | 6,228 | 18.3 | 6.6 | 11.7 | 2.30 |
  | 2011 | 539,910 | 9,703 | 3,441 | 6,262 | 18.0 | 6.4 | 11.6 | 2.445 |
  | 2012 | 541,638 | 10,217 | 3,687 | 6,530 | 18.9 | 6.8 | 12.1 | 2.406 |
  | 2013 | 550,222 | 10,012 | 3,557 | 6,455 | 18.2 | 6.5 | 11.7 | 2.323 |
  | 2014 | 558,773 | 10,407 | 3,738 | 6,669 | 18.6 | 6.7 | 11.9 | 2.370 |
  | 2015 | 567,300 | 10,148 | 3,663 | 6,485 | 17.9 | 6.5 | 11.4 | 2.30 |
  | 2016 | 575,700 | 9,910 | 3,591 | 6,319 | 17.2 | 6.2 | 11.0 | 2.23 |
  | 2017 | 583,200 | 9,758 | 3,508 | 6,250 | 16.8 | 6.0 | 10.8 | 2.12 |
  | 2018 | 590,100 | 9,809 | 3,763 | 6,046 | 16.6 | 6.4 | 10.2 | 2.17 |
  | 2019 | 598,000 | 10,127 | 3,955 | 6,172 | 16.9 | 6.6 | 10.3 | 2.23 |
  | 2020 | 608,900 | 10,053 | 3,971 | 6,082 | 16.7 | 6.6 | 10.1 | 2.21 |
  | 2021 | 616,500 | 10,252 | 5,535 | 4,717 | 16.6 | 9.0 | 7.6 | 2.18 |
  
  ## Ethnic groups
  
  Population of Suriname according to ethnic group :
  
  | Ethnic group | Census 1921 | Census 1921 | Census 1950 | Census 1950 | Census 1964 | Census 1964 | Census 1972 | Census 1972 | Census 1980 | Census 1980 | Census 2004 | Census 2004 | Census 2012 | Census 2012 |
  | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
  | Ethnic group | Number | % | Number | % | Number | % | Number | % | Number | % | Number | % | Number | % |
  | East Indian | | | 62,280 | 31.3 | 112,633 | 34.7 | 142,917 | 37.6 | | | 135,117 | 27.4 | 148,443 | 27.4 |
  | Maroons | | | 19,180 | 9.7 | 27,698 | 8.5 | 35,838 | 9.4 | | | 72,553 | 14.7 | 117,567 | 21.7 |
  | Creole | | | 71,657 | 36.1 | 114,961 | 35.5 | 119,009 | 31.4 | | | 87,202 | 17.7 | 84,933 | 15.7 |
  | Javanese | | | 35,270 | 17.8 | 48,463 | 14.9 | 57,688 | 15.2 | | | 71,879 | 14.6 | 73,975 | 13.7 |
  | Mixed | | | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0.0 | | | 61,524 | 12.5 | 72,340 | 13.4 |
  | Amerindian | | | - | - | 7,287 | 2.2 | - | - | | | 18,037 | 3.7 | 20,344 | 3.8 |
  | Chinese | | | - | - | 5,339 | 1.6 | - | - | | | 8,775 | 1.8 | 7,885 | 1.5 |
  | White | | | - | - | 4,322 | 1.3 | - | - | | | 2,899 | 0.6 | 1,667 | 0.3 |
  | Other | | | 10,095 | 5.1 | 2,986 | 0.9 | 24,155 | 6.4 | | | 2,264 | 0.5 | 7,166 | 1.3 |
  | Unknown | | | 186 | 0.1 | 522 | 0.2 | 0 | 0.0 | | | 1,261 | 0.3 | 1,805 | 0.3 |
  | No answer | | | | | | | | | | | 31,318 | 6.4 | 1,590 | 0.3 |
  | Total | 107,723 | 107,723 | 198,668 | 198,668 | 324,211 | 324,211 | 379,607 | 379,607 | 355,240 | 355,240 | 492,829 | 492,829 | 541,638 | 541,638 |
  
  Ethnic groups of Suriname :
  
  | Ethnic groups | Ethnic groups | percent | percent |
  | - | - | - | - |
  | East Indian | East Indian | 27.4% | 27.4% |
  | Maroon | Maroon | 21.7% | 21.7% |
  | Creole | Creole | 15.7% | 15.7% |
  | Javanese | Javanese | 14% | 14% |
  | Mixed | Mixed | 13.4% | 13.4% |
  | Chinese | Chinese | 7.3% | 7.3% |
  | Amerindian | Amerindian | 3.8% | 3.8% |
  | White | White | 1% | 1% |
  | Other | Other | 2.3% | 2.3% |
  
  * The census used self-identification for ethnic classification.
  * Amerindians are the original inhabitants of Suriname.
  * East Indians, also known locally as Hindustanis, are those whose ancestors emigrated from northern British India in the latter part of the 19th century.
  * Creoles are descendants from slaves from Africa. Prior to the 2004 census, mixed-race people were counted as Creoles. Their ancestors were brought to the country in the 17th and 18th centuries.
  * The Maroons are descendants from slaves from Africa that escaped to the interior of Suriname. Their proportion has increased considerably during the past decades, from 9% in 1964 to 22% in 2012.
  * The Javanese are Asians from formerly Dutch-ruled Indonesia.
  * Many Whites are descended from Dutch colonists.
  
  The current population of Suriname will be different to these census figures, as the census records residents, and notes legal visitors, but does not record illegal immigrants. According to estimates there may be as many as:
  
  * 60,000 Brazilians (estimates varies between 20,000 and 80,000) from Brazil. There are also other smaller numbers of South American nationalities.
  * 40,000 Chinese, with small communities of Koreans, Japanese and Filipinos.
  * 2,000 Arab/Middle Eastern (mostly Christian Lebanese but also Christians from Syrian and the Holy Land).
  * 200 Jews who are identified in ethnoreligious terms.
  * Suriname has large American expatriate (mostly retiree) communities (about 50,000 Americans live in Suriname).
  * Also living in Suriname are Dutch citizens, some of which with a Surinamese background.
  
  ### Fertility rate by ethnic group
  
  The total fertility rate for Suriname as a whole was 2.53 children per woman aged 15 to 49 in 2012. Maroons had the highest fertility rate, with 4.47 children per woman. On the other hand, Surinamese from India had the lowest fertility with 1.78 children per woman.
  
  Total fertility rate by ethnic group in 2012 :
  
  | Ethnic group | Total fertility rate | Children ever born |
  | - | - | - |
  | Maroons | 4.47 | 5.79 |
  | Creole | 2.26 | 3.06 |
  | East-Indian | 1.78 | 3.15 |
  | Javanese | 2.15 | 3.17 |
  | Mixed people | 2.12 | 2.77 |
  | Smaller minorities | 2.93 | 3.46 |
  | Unknown (mostly Maroons as well) | 3.69 | 4.91 |
  | Suriname (as whole) | 2.53 | 3.48 |
  
  ## Languages
  
  Dutch is the official language of Suriname and the mother tongue of around 60% of the population. Sranan Tongo is the lingua franca and second most spoken language of Suriname.
  
  English is mostly used in the business sector mainly to communicate with foreign businesses. It is also used in the hospitality industry to communicate with tourists.
  
  Sarnami Hindustani is spoken by the Surinamese Indian community. Depending on the person this language can be either the mother tongue, second language or third language (after Dutch or Sranan Tongo).
  
  Saramaccan is spoken by the Saramaka tribe of the Maroon community. Aukan is mainly spoken by the Aukan tribe of the Maroon community
  
  Javanese is spoken by the Surinamese Javanese community. Just like Sarnami Hindustani, Javanese can be either the mother tongue, second language or third language (after Dutch or Sranan Tongo) for some.
  
  Hakka and Cantonese is spoken by Surinamese Chinese, mainly as a second language after Dutch. Cantonese was introduced in Suriname by the second wave of Chinese immigrants in 1970. Beginning in the 1990s new migrants from China moved to Suriname, and Putonghua, during circa 2004–2014, became the main Chinese lingua franca in the country.
  
  French is spoken by some Maroons due to the cultural influence from French Guiana, Portuguese mainly by immigrants from Brazil and Portugal, and Spanish due to immigrants from, Cuba, Venezuela, Colombia, and other Latin American countries.
  
  Amerindian languages are spoken by the Surinamese Amerindian community. Languages include Carib, Arawak, Tiriyó and Wayana.
  
  ## Religion
  
  | Denomination | 2012 census | 2012 census |
  | - | - | - |
  | Denomination | Number | % |
  | Catholic Church | 117,261 | 21.6 |
  | Pentecostalism (Full Gospel) | 60,530 | 11.18 |
  | Moravian Church | 60,420 | 11.16 |
  | Jehovah's Witnesses | 6,622 | 1.2 |
  | Calvinism | 4,018 | 0.7 |
  | Lutheranism | 2,811 | 0.5 |
  | Other forms of Christianity | 17,280 | 3.2 |
  | Sanatani Hindus | 97,311 | 18 |
  | Arya Samaj Hindus | 16,661 | 3.1 |
  | Other forms of Hinduism | 6,651 | 1.2 |
  | Sunni Islam | 21,159 | 3.9 |
  | Ahmadi Islam | 14,161 | 2.6 |
  | Other forms of Islam | 39,733 | 7.3 |
  | Javanism | 4,460 | 0.8 |
  | Judaism | 181 | 0.0 |
  | Winti | 9,949 | 1.8 |
  | Other faith | 4,630 | 0.9 |
  | No faith | 40,718 | 7.5 |
  | No answer | 17,082 | 3.2 |
  | Total population | 541,638 | 100.0 |
  