Global Currency Rankings: Exploring the World's Lowest Currency Values in 2024

The global economy reveals stark disparities in currency strength, with dozens of nations experiencing significant currency devaluation against the US dollar. Understanding which countries have the lowest currency in the world provides insight into broader economic patterns, geopolitical instability, and the consequences of sustained inflation and fiscal mismanagement.

Extreme Currency Depreciation: The Worst Performers

The most severe cases of currency collapse tell stories of economic crisis. Venezuela’s Bolivar leads with an extraordinary 1 USD ≈ 4,000,815 VES exchange rate, followed by Iran’s Rial at 1 USD ≈ 514,000 IRR. Syria’s Pound has plummeted to 1 USD ≈ 15,000 SYP, reflecting years of civil conflict and economic isolation. These three nations demonstrate how political instability and international sanctions can obliterate currency value.

Other critically weakened currencies include Sierra Leone’s Leone (1 USD ≈ 17,665 SLL), Laos Kip (1 USD ≈ 17,692 LAK), and Lebanon’s Pound (1 USD ≈ 15,012 LBP). Each represents a nation grappling with extraordinary economic pressure.

Regional Patterns in Currency Weakness

Southeast Asia and South Asia

This region shows mixed but concerning trends. Indonesia’s Rupiah trades at 1 USD ≈ 14,985 IDR, while Vietnam’s Dong stabilizes around 1 USD ≈ 24,000 VND. Pakistan’s Rupee has weakened to 1 USD ≈ 290 PKR, and Bangladesh’s Taka sits at 1 USD ≈ 110 BDT. Cambodia’s Riel (1 USD ≈ 4,086 KHR) reflects lingering post-conflict economic challenges.

African Currency Crisis

Africa displays the highest concentration of lowest currency valuations. Uganda’s Shilling (1 USD ≈ 3,806 UGX), Tanzania’s Shilling (1 USD ≈ 2,498 TZS), and Nigeria’s Naira (1 USD ≈ 775 NGN) struggle with inflation and commodity dependency. Zambia’s Kwacha (1 USD ≈ 20.5 ZMW), Madagascar’s Ariari (1 USD ≈ 4,400 MGA), and Ethiopia’s Birr (1 USD ≈ 55 ETB) further illustrate continental economic headwinds.

Latin America and Central Asia

Colombia’s Peso (1 USD ≈ 3.915 COP), Paraguay’s Guarani (1 USD ≈ 7,241 PYG), and Suriname’s Dollar (1 USD ≈ 37 SRD) face currency depreciation from commodity price fluctuations and structural economic issues. Central Asian currencies like Uzbekistan’s Som (1 USD ≈ 11,420 UZS), Turkmenistan’s Manat (1 USD ≈ 3.5 TMT), and Tajikistan’s Somoni (1 USD ≈ 11 TJS) reflect transition economy challenges.

The Complete List of 50 Nations

Extreme Depreciation (Top 10): Venezuela (4,000,815 VES), Iran (514,000 IRR), Laos (17,692 LAK), Sierra Leone (17,665 SLL), Lebanon (15,012 LBP), Indonesia (14,985 IDR), Uzbekistan (11,420 UZS), Guinea (8,650 GNF), Paraguay (7,241 PYG), Cambodia (4,086 KHR)

Severe Depreciation (11-30): Colombia (3.915 COP), Uganda (3.806 UGX), Tanzania (2,498 TZS), Madagascar (4,400 MGA), Iraq (1,310 IQD), Vietnam (24,000 VND), Belarus (3.14 BYN), Pakistan (290 PKR), Myanmar (2,100 MMK), Zambia (20.5 ZMW), Nepal (132 NPR), Sudan (600 SDG), Suriname (37 SRD), Togo (620 XOF), Ethiopia (55 ETB), North Korea (900 KPW), Turkmenistan (3.5 TMT), Tajikistan (11 TJS), Syria (15,000 SYP), Ghana (12 GHS)

Moderate Depreciation (31-50): Kenya (148 KES), Egypt (31 EGP), Sri Lanka (320 LKR), Malawi (1,250 MWK), Mozambique (63 MZN), Yemen (250 YER), Afghanistan (80 AFN), Kyrgyzstan (89 KGS), Haiti (131 HTG), Nigeria (775 NGN), Moldova (18 MDL), Armenia (410 AMD), Georgia (2.85 GEL), Somalia (550 SOS), Fiji (2.26 FJD), Nicaragua (36.5 NIO), Bangladesh (110 BDT), Kazakhstan (470 KZT), Iceland (136 ISK), Philippines (57 PHP)

Root Causes of Currency Devaluation

Hyperinflation and Monetary Policy Failure

Nations like Venezuela and Zimbabwe have experienced runaway inflation, eroding purchasing power and destroying currency value through excessive monetary expansion. Iran’s isolation from global financial systems has compounded currency weakness.

External Debt and Capital Flight

Many emerging markets accumulate unsustainable external debt, forcing currency depreciation to restore trade competitiveness. Political uncertainty drives capital outflows, further weakening exchange rates.

Commodity Dependency and Price Shocks

African nations relying heavily on oil, minerals, or agricultural exports face currency collapse when commodity prices plummet. This vulnerability affects currencies across Nigeria, Zambia, and Mozambique.

Political Instability and Conflict

Syria, Yemen, and Afghanistan demonstrate how civil conflict, military intervention, and institutional breakdown devastate currency strength. Investors flee uncertain environments, triggering sharp devaluation.

Global Implications for Investors and Traders

The prevalence of weakest currencies worldwide reflects deeper structural challenges: weak institutions, corruption, geopolitical conflicts, and poor macroeconomic management. For cryptocurrency enthusiasts and investors, these currency collapses illustrate why alternative financial systems gain appeal in economically distressed regions.

Countries experiencing lowest currency valuations often show increased cryptocurrency adoption, as residents seek stores of value beyond their failing national currencies. This trend underscores how digital assets provide financial resilience in economies facing chronic devaluation.

Conclusion: Monitoring Global Currency Health

The world’s lowest currency in the world serves as an economic barometer. By tracking which nations experience severe currency depreciation, we understand global economic stress points, geopolitical tensions, and emerging financial vulnerabilities. Whether driven by inflation, conflict, or institutional failure, currency devaluation reshapes lives across these 50 nations and signals broader challenges requiring international attention and structural economic reform.

Staying informed about global currency movements and economic indicators remains essential for anyone invested in international markets or cryptocurrency.