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Religion inSuriname is characterized by a range of religious beliefs and practices due to itsethnic diversity. The government is vocally supportive of religious diversity and tolerance, and these attitudes are present in general society as well. According to the most recent census (2012), 48.4 percent of the population isChristian (the largest groups beingPentecostalism, theMoravian Church, and theCatholic Church), 22.3 percent isHindu, 13.9 percent isMuslim, 1.8 percent followsWinti, and 0.8 percent isJavanism (mainly adhered toKejawèn Javanism). In addition 2.1 percent of the population follows other faiths (includingJehovah's Witnesses), 7.5 percent areatheist oragnostic, and 3.2 percent did not answer the question about their religion.[1] Later estimates suggest that Christians made up just over half the population in 2020.[2]
Indigenous religions are practiced by the Amerindian and Afro-descendant Maroon populations.Amerindians, found principally in the interior and to a lesser extent in coastal areas, practiceshamanism, worship of all living things, and their rites are led bymedicine men, orpiaiman.Maroons, who inhabit the interior, worship nature through a practice that has no special name, and they also worship their ancestors through a rite called Winti. Citizens of Amerindian and Maroon origin who classify themselves as Christian often simultaneously follow indigenous religious customs, with the acknowledgment of their Christian church leaders.
The negligibleJewish community numbers 181,[1] and there are also small numbers ofBaháʼís andBuddhists.The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) claimed 1,797 members in six congregations in 2022.[3] Other groups include theAhmadiyya Muslim Community and theWorld Islamic Call Society. At the start of the 21st century, Guido Robles, a prominent Jewish businessman in Paramaribo, quipped, "No religion in Suriname has any problem with any other religion, all the problems are caused by the politicians."[4]
In 2017, manypolitical parties, including six of the eight governing coalition parties, had strong ethnic ties, and members tended to adhere to or practice one faith. For example, within the governing coalition, the majority of members of the mostly ethnic-National Party of Suriname (NPS) were Protestant, most members of the mostly ethnic-IndianProgressive Reform Party wereHindu, and those of the mostly ethnic-JavanesePertjaja Luhur Party tended to be Muslim.[5] However, parties had no requirement that political party leaders or members adhere to a particular religion.
The religious demography of Suriname as per the 2004 Census is as follows:[6]
| Religion | 2004[1] | 2012[1] | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number | % | Number | % | |
| Christianity | 200,744 | 40.7 | 262,320 | 48.4 |
| Hinduism | 98,240 | 19.9 | 120,623 | 22.3 |
| Islam | 66,307 | 13.5 | 75,053 | 13.9 |
| Other or none | 50,334 | 10.2 | 66,560 | 12.3 |
| Religion not stated | 77,204 | 15.7 | 17,082 | 3.2 |
| Total population | 492,829 | 100.0 | 541,638 | 100.0 |
| Religion | Suriname | Para- maribo (7) | Wanica (10) | Nickerie (5) | Coronie (3) | Sara- macca (8) | Comme- wijne (2) | Maro- wijne (4) | Para (6) | Broko- pondo (1) | Sipali- wini (9) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Christian | 40.7% | 47.9% | 29.7% | 20.6% | 75.0% | 23.5% | 22.0% | 58.7% | 56.5% | 52.4% | 35.2% |
| Hindu | 19.9% | 13.8% | 39.9% | 43.2% | 2.2% | 44.6% | 24.5% | 0.9% | 4.9% | 0.4% | 0.3% |
| Islam | 13.5% | 9.4% | 21.7% | 22.5% | 11.0% | 18.8% | 40.4% | 6.8% | 11.3% | 0.2% | 0.1% |
| Tribal + Other | 5.8% | 3.8% | 3.4% | 0.7% | 1.6% | 3.0% | 4.2% | 11.5% | 6.8% | 16.8% | 26.8% |
| None | 4.4% | 3.9% | 2.7% | 0.6% | 1.8% | 1.4% | 1.5% | 4.7% | 8.1% | 11.8% | 14.8% |
| Not Known | 15.7% | 21.1% | 2.6% | 12.4% | 8.4% | 8.6% | 7.3% | 17.4% | 12.5% | 18.5% | 22.9% |
| Denomination | 2012 census[1] | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 ofChristianity | 17,280 | 3.2 |
| Sanatani Hindus | 97,311 | 18 |
| Arya Samaj Hindus | 16,661 | 3.1 |
| Other forms ofHinduism | 6,651 | 1.2 |
| Sunni Islam | 21,159 | 3.9 |
| Ahmadi Islam | 14,161 | 2.6 |
| Other forms ofIslam | 39,733 | 7.3 |
| Kejawen 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 |
The dominant religion in Suriname is Christianity, both in the form ofRoman Catholicism and various denominations ofProtestantism, the Anglican Church being the oldest.[7] According to the 2012 census data 48.4% of the population of Suriname is Christian[1] and thePentecostal churches are the largest Protestant denomination, closely followed byMoravians.[1]
The story ofHinduism in Suriname is broadly parallel to that inGuyana.Indian indentured labourers were sent to colonialDutch Guiana by special arrangement between the Dutch and British. The difference is that the Netherlands' more liberal policy toward Hinduism allowed the culture to develop stronger. Examples are the lack of a rigid caste system and the almost universal reading ofGita andRamayan.[8]
According to the 2012 census of Suriname, Hindus constitute 22.3% of the population.[1] Hindus are mostly concentrated in Northern coastal regions of Suriname:Nickerie,Wanica andSaramacca, where they constitute the largest religious group. There are several Hindu temples in Suriname.
According to the most recent census, theMuslim population ofSuriname represents about 13.9%[1] of the country's total population, giving the country the highest proportion of Muslims on theAmerican continent.
Muslims that first came to Suriname consisted of indentured laborers fromSouth Asia andIndonesia, from whom today most Muslims in Suriname are descended.
Javanism of Kejawen denomination is followed by 0.8% of the Suriname population. It is followed mainly by the Javanese people in Suriname.[9][10]
There has been a Jewish community in Suriname since 1639, when the English government allowedSephardi Jews to settle the region.[11] In the last few years, the Jewish community has been struggling due to dwindling funds and membership.
Theconstitution of Suriname establishes the freedom of religion and outlaws discrimination along religious lines. "Instigating religious hatred" is punishable by fines, and in some cases prison.[12]
Religious groups may register with the government in order to receive financial support. Most groups are registered.[12]
Religious instruction is not allowed in public schools. Private religious schools are allowed, and comprise roughly half of the primary and secondary schools in Suriname. Parents are not allowed to homeschool children for religious reasons.[12]
The government engages in vocal support of religious diversity and tolerance through public statements, attendance at religious events, and hosting events in honor of various religious holidays. The armed forces have chaplains for the Hindu, Muslim, Catholic, and Protestant faiths.[12]
In 2023, the country was scored 4 out of 4 for religious freedom.[13]
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