Religion in Suriname

Religion in Suriname (2012 census)^[1]

Protestantism (25.6%)

Catholic Church (21.6%)

Other Christian (1.2%)

Hinduism (22.3%)

Islam (13.9%)

Winti (1.8%)

Kejawen (0.8%)

Other religion (2.1%)

None (7.5%)

Not stated (3.2%)

Religion in Suriname is characterized by a range of religious beliefs and practices due to its ethnic 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 is Christian (the largest groups being Pentecostalism, the Moravian Church, and the Catholic Church), 22.3 percent is Hindu, 13.9 percent is Muslim, 1.8 percent follows Winti, and 0.8 percent is Javanism (mainly adhered to Kejawèn Javanism). In addition 2.1 percent of the population follows other faiths (including Jehovah's Witnesses), 7.5 percent are atheist or agnostic, 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, practice shamanism, worship of all living things, and their rites are led by medicine men, or piaiman. 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 negligible Jewish community numbers 181,^[1] and there are also small numbers of Baháʼís and Buddhists. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) claimed 1,797 members in six congregations in 2022.^[3] Other groups include the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community and the World 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, many political 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-Indian Progressive Reform Party were Hindu, and those of the mostly ethnic-Javanese Pertjaja Luhur Party tended to be Muslim.^[5] However, parties had no requirement that political party leaders or members adhere to a particular religion.

Demography

Religion for Suriname in 2004 and 2012

The religious demography of Suriname as per the 2004 Census is as follows:^[6]

Religion	2004^[1]		2012^[1]
Religion	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 by province in 2004

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%

2012 data by denomination

Denomination	2012 census^[1]
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
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

Christianity

The dominant religion in Suriname is Christianity, both in the form of Roman Catholicism and various denominations of Protestantism, the Anglican Church being the oldest.^[7] According to the 2012 census data 48.4% of the population of Suriname is Christian^[1] and the Pentecostal churches are the largest Protestant denomination, closely followed by Moravians.^[1]

Hinduism

The story of Hinduism in Suriname is broadly parallel to that in Guyana. Indian indentured labourers were sent to colonial Dutch 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 of Gita and Ramayan.^[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 and Saramacca, where they constitute the largest religious group. There are several Hindu temples in Suriname.

Islam

According to the most recent census, the Muslim population of Suriname represents about 13.9%^[1] of the country's total population, giving the country the highest proportion of Muslims on the American continent.

Muslims that first came to Suriname consisted of indentured laborers from South Asia and Indonesia, from whom today most Muslims in Suriname are descended.

Javanism

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]

Judaism

There has been a Jewish community in Suriname since 1639, when the English government allowed Sephardi Jews to settle the region.^[11] In the last few years, the Jewish community has been struggling due to dwindling funds and membership.

Religious freedom

The constitution 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]