Suriname faces brain drain risks amid upcoming oil and gas boom

Suriname faces a dual challenge as it prepares for a massive influx of oil and gas revenue while grappling with significant emigration risks. Research presented by sociologist Jaïr Schalkwijk indicates that more than half of young Surinamese citizens are considering moving abroad within the next five years.

While the upcoming resource wealth is viewed as a major economic opportunity, there is widespread public distrust regarding how these funds will be managed. Concerns center on corruption, poor governance, and the fear that wealth will benefit only a small elite rather than the broader population. Experts warn that without strong institutions and transparency, the sudden wealth could exacerbate inequality and power concentration.

Lachman Soedamah, chairman of VHP-Nederland, emphasized during a lecture in Amsterdam that oil and gas should not serve as a standalone development model. He advocated for a transparent, legally anchored management system where revenues are split between absorbing economic shocks, saving for future generations, and investing in essential sectors such as education, healthcare, and infrastructure. He also called for the Surinamese diaspora to become a structural partner in the nation's development.