Suriname COVID-19 Survey: 2020

By Country Department Caribbean Group (VPC/CCB/CCB)

The Suriname COVID-19 Survey (2020) provides vital data on the socioeconomic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic in Suriname during 2020.

Designed as a panel follow-up to the 2016–2017 Suriname Survey of Living Conditions (SSLC), this dataset enables researchers and policymakers to assess how: household welfare employment, and social protection evolved before and after the onset of the pandemic.

Purpose of the 2020 Survey

Commissioned by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), the survey was designed to support timely, evidence-based policymaking during Suriname's COVID-19 crisis in 2020.

Its goal was to document household-level responses to COVID-19 disruptions in employment, income, food security, and health behaviors, to guide targeted policy responses.

Data Collection Overview

Data were collected via phone interviews in August 2020, in compliance with pandemic-related mobility restrictions.

  • Sample size: 1,016 households
  • Panel structure: Recontacted from the 2016–2017 SSLC
  • Implementing agency: Sistemas Integrales

Key Modules and Topics

The dataset spans six domains critical to understanding the 2020 COVID-19 crisis in Suriname:

  • Employment & income: job loss, wage changes, and business closures
  • Household finances: borrowing, saving, and remittance dynamics
  • Food access: food insecurity and consumption patterns
  • Health behavior: transmission awareness and prevention adoption
  • Social programs: use of government transfers and support
  • Financial literacy: budgeting and household resource management

This dataset allows users to:

  • Analyze the welfare impact of COVID-19 on Suriname households
  • Track pre- and post-pandemic socioeconomic indicators
  • Inform recovery policy using real-time panel data from a national baseline
  • Disaggregate trends by district, gender, age group, or household type

Methodological Features

  • Fully documented sampling and estimation procedures
  • Detailed questionnaire mapping and codebooks
  • Field quality controls to ensure reliability and consistency
  • Complex survey design variables: weight2020, psu, stratum
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Metadata & use

Identifier https://doi.org/10.60966/m8wz-5y68
License Creative Commons Attribution–NonCommercial–NoDerivs 3.0 IGO
Related Knowledge Product
Citation

Beuermann, Diether, et al. (2021). Suriname COVID-19 Survey: 2020. IDB Open Data. https://doi.org/10.60966/m8wz-5y68

Published date 2021-06-05
Modified date 2026-07-15
Tags/Keywords Coronavirus · Financial Education · Household Income · Household Survey · Income Distribution · Pandemic · Remittance · Unemployment Rate
Language
  1. English
In Series Living Conditions Datasets
Temporal coverage 2020-2020
Country
Suriname
Region Latin America and the Caribbean
Publisher
Inter-American Development Bank
Author
Beuermann, Diether
Bottan, Nicolas L.
Hoffmann, Bridget
Khadan, Jeetendra
Vera-Cossio, Diego A.
Data collection type Survey Data
Statistical type Cross-sectional Data
Data structure Structured Data
Data notes

What is the timeline of the coronavirus pandemic in Suriname in 2020?

The first confirmed case was reported in March 2020, leading to immediate border closures and curfews. A total lockdown was imposed in June 2020, followed by phased reopening and renewed restrictions during the second wave in late 2020.

What is Suriname’s economic impact of the COVID-19 lockdowns of 2020?

Survey data show average household income in June 2020 was SRD 3,647, while spending was SRD 2,728. Many households reported job losses, unpaid leave, and reduced business activity, highlighting the contraction in economic activity.

What were Suriname’s government social assistance programs for COVID-19 in 2020?

About 39.7% of households reported receiving government monetary assistance in January 2020. Assistance expanded after April 2020 under curfew measures, with new benefits targeting vulnerable households.

How did Suriname manage its borders during the 2020 pandemic?

Borders were closed in March 2020, including restrictions on crossings with Guyana, French Guiana, and Brazil. Air travel was suspended, and quarantine rules were imposed on returning nationals.

What were the challenges faced by the Suriname healthcare system during COVID-19 in 2020?

The survey does not provide hospital capacity data, but reports note limited ICU beds and PPE shortages. The Academic Hospital Paramaribo (AZP) was the main referral center.

What was Suriname's COVID-19 response vs. the WHO international guidelines in 2020?

Measures such as lockdowns, curfews, and social distancing aligned with WHO recommendations. Testing and tracing capacity, however, lagged behind WHO guidance.

What were the Suriname Ministry of Health COVID-19 protocols in 2020?

Protocols included mandatory mask use, curfews, and restrictions on gatherings. Hospitals adopted triage and isolation procedures.

What was the impact of COVID-19 on Suriname's indigenous and interior communities in 2020?

The survey notes that estimates are reliable only for Great Paramaribo. Data for the Interior domain are limited due to small sample sizes, but reports highlight challenges in access to healthcare and communication.

What were Suriname’s travel restrictions and quarantine rules in 2020 for visitors?

International flights were suspended from March 2020. Returning residents were subject to mandatory quarantine in government facilities.

What were Suriname’s business operation guidelines and curfews in 2020?

Businesses faced closures during total lockdowns. Survey data show many firms canceled sales, reduced hours, or laid off employees after mid-March 2020.

What is the chronological timeline of COVID-19 outbreaks and lockdowns in Suriname throughout 2020?

  • March: first case, borders closed
  • April: curfew introduced
  • May: elections held under restrictions
  • June: total lockdown
  • August: survey conducted
  • Late 2020: second wave, renewed restrictions

How did the May 2020 Suriname general elections influence COVID-19 transmission rates?

The dataset does not track election-related transmission. Reports noted concerns about gatherings during campaigning and voting.

Why did Suriname's border with Brazil present a unique challenge for COVID-19 containment in 2020?

The porous southern border made monitoring difficult. Interior communities had limited health infrastructure, raising containment challenges.

What were the government financial assistance programs for Paramaribo small business owners during the 2020 lockdowns?

Survey data show households and businesses received expanded benefits after April 2020. Assistance included cash transfers and unemployment support.

What was the specific date and origin of the first confirmed COVID-19 case in Suriname?

The first case was confirmed on March 13, 2020, linked to international travel.

How did the transition from the Bouterse to the Santokhi administration affect the COVID-19 Management Team in 2020?

Leadership shifted in mid-2020 after the elections. The new administration reorganized the COVID-19 Management Team to strengthen coordination.

What’s the difference between Suriname's COVID-19 'Code Red' measures vs. 'Code Orange' protocols?

Code Red referred to total lockdowns with strict curfews. Code Orange allowed limited movement and business activity under restrictions.

What were the health challenges faced by indigenous Maroon communities in the Suriname interior during the 2020 pandemic?

The dataset warns against using Interior domain estimates due to sampling errors. Reports highlight limited access to hospitals and reliance on local clinics.

What were the school closure and remote learning policies in Suriname during the 2020 academic year?

Schools closed in March 2020. Remote learning was introduced, but access was uneven due to digital divides.

What was the role of the Academic Hospital Paramaribo (AZP) in managing the 2020 COVID-19 surge?

AZP served as the main referral hospital, handling severe cases and ICU admissions.

How did the Suriname National Coordination Center for Disaster Relief (NCCR) coordinate the 2020 pandemic response?

NCCR coordinated logistics, quarantine facilities, and distribution of aid during lockdowns.

What were the public transport regulations and 'bus-houders' restrictions situation like in Suriname in 2020?

Public transport was restricted under curfew rules. Bus operators faced limits on passenger numbers and schedules.

What medical aid did the Netherlands provide to Suriname for COVID-19 in 2020?

Reports mention donations of PPE and medical supplies. Not covered in the dataset.

How effective was the June 2020 total lockdown in Suriname in flattening the curve?

The lockdown reduced mobility and temporarily slowed transmission. Survey data show economic hardship during this period.

How does Suriname's COVID-19 testing capacity in March 2020 vs December 2020 compare?

Testing capacity expanded over 2020, but remained limited compared to regional peers. Not directly measured in the survey.

What were Suriname’s COVID-19 dashboard statistics for August 2020?

The survey was conducted in August 2020 and collected socioeconomic data, not dashboard case counts.

What was the impact of religious gathering restrictions in Suriname's diverse faith communities in 2020?

Gatherings were restricted under curfew rules, affecting churches, mosques, and temples.

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