Understanding global currency values reveals fascinating patterns about which nations face the most severe economic pressures. This breakdown examines 50 countries where the US dollar possesses extraordinary purchasing power, revealing where currency values have weakened the most against the greenback. For those tracking international markets and financial trends, identifying the lowest currency exchange rates worldwide provides crucial insight into regional economic health.
The Extreme End: Where Currencies Rank Lowest Against the Dollar
The most dramatic currency devaluation occurs in nations experiencing severe macroeconomic crises. Venezuela leads with staggering depreciation, where 1 USD equals approximately 4,000,815 Bolivars (VES). Iran follows with 1 USD reaching 514,000 Rials (IRR). These represent the lowest currency values globally, reflecting decades of economic sanctions, hyperinflation, and political instability. Syria occupies position 29 with 1 USD equal to 15,000 Syrian Pounds (SYP), while Sudan ranks 22nd at 1 USD to 600 Sudanese Pounds (SDG).
Regional Currency Depreciation Patterns Across Global Markets
Southeast Asia: Indonesia’s Rupiah (IDR) sits at 1 USD = 14,985, while Vietnam’s Dong (VND) values 1 USD at 24,000. Cambodia’s Riel (KHR) reaches 1 USD = 4,086. These represent moderate devaluation relative to other global lowest currency benchmarks.
Central Asia & Eastern Europe: Uzbekistan’s Som (UZS) exchanges at 1 USD = 11,420, while Tajikistan’s Somoni (TJS) reaches 1 USD = 11. Belarus’s Ruble (BYN) stands at 1 USD = 3.14, reflecting post-Soviet economic transitions. Kazakhstan’s Tenge (KZT) equals 1 USD = 470.
Sub-Saharan Africa: Nigeria’s Naira (NGN) represents 1 USD = 775, Kenya’s Shilling (KES) at 1 USD = 148, and Ghana’s Cedi (GHS) at 1 USD = 12. Ethiopia’s Birr (ETB) achieves 1 USD = 55, while Uganda’s Shilling (UGX) equals 1 USD = 3,806—among the world’s lowest currency rates by absolute number.
South Asia: Pakistan’s Rupee (PKR) exchanges at 1 USD = 290, Sri Lanka’s Rupee (LKR) at 1 USD = 320, and Bangladesh’s Taka (BDT) at 1 USD = 110. Nepal’s Rupee (NPR) reaches 1 USD = 132.
Middle East & North Africa: Iraq’s Dinar (IQD) values 1 USD at 1,310, Lebanon’s Pound (LBP) at 15,012, and Yemen’s Rial (YER) at 250. Egypt’s Pound (EGP) reaches 1 USD = 31.
Americas: Colombia’s Peso (COP) equals 1 USD = 3,915, while Paraguay’s Guarani (PYG) reaches 1 USD = 7,241. Haiti’s Gourde (HTG) sits at 1 USD = 131, and Nicaragua’s Cordoba (NIO) at 1 USD = 36.5.
Understanding Economic Factors Behind the Weakest Currency Values
Countries with the lowest currency in the world typically share common characteristics: limited foreign exchange reserves, chronic inflation, political instability, or external sanctions. Hyperinflation remains the primary driver in Venezuela and Iran, where money supply expansion far exceeds economic output. Conflict and political dysfunction plague Syria, Yemen, and Sudan, disrupting trade and investment flows.
The lowest currency exchanges often reflect structural vulnerabilities: dependence on commodity exports subject to price volatility, limited economic diversification, weak institutional governance, and capital flight. When international investors lose confidence, currency outflows accelerate depreciation spirals.
Complete Ranking of 50 Nations with Lowest Currency Exchange Rates
Venezuela - Bolivar (VES): 1 USD = 4,000,815
Iran - Rial (IRR): 1 USD = 514,000
Laos - Kip (LAK): 1 USD = 17,692
Sierra Leone - Leone (SLL): 1 USD = 17,665
Lebanon - Pound (LBP): 1 USD = 15,012
Indonesia - Rupiah (IDR): 1 USD = 14,985
Uzbekistan - Som (UZS): 1 USD = 11,420
Guinea - Franc (GNF): 1 USD = 8,650
Paraguay - Guarani (PYG): 1 USD = 7,241
Cambodia - Riel (KHR): 1 USD = 4,086
Colombia - Peso (COP): 1 USD = 3,915
Uganda - Shilling (UGX): 1 USD = 3,806
Tanzania - Shilling (TZS): 1 USD = 2,498
Madagascar - Ariari (MGA): 1 USD = 4,400
Iraq - Dinar (IQD): 1 USD = 1,310
Vietnam - Dong (VND): 1 USD = 24,000
Belarus - Ruble (BYN): 1 USD = 3.14
Pakistan - Rupee (PKR): 1 USD = 290
Myanmar - Kyat (MMK): 1 USD = 2,100
Zambia - Kwacha (ZMW): 1 USD = 20.5
Nepal - Rupee (NPR): 1 USD = 132
Sudan - Pound (SDG): 1 USD = 600
Suriname - Dollar (SRD): 1 USD = 37
Togo - Franc (XOF): 1 USD = 620
Ethiopia - Birr (ETB): 1 USD = 55
North Korea - Won (KPW): 1 USD = 900
Turkmenistan - Manat (TMT): 1 USD = 3.5
Tajikistan - Somoni (TJS): 1 USD = 11
Syria - Pound (SYP): 1 USD = 15,000
Ghana - Cedi (GHS): 1 USD = 12
Kenya - Shilling (KES): 1 USD = 148
Egypt - Pound (EGP): 1 USD = 31
Sri Lanka - Rupee (LKR): 1 USD = 320
Malawi - Kwacha (MWK): 1 USD = 1,250
Mozambique - Metical (MZN): 1 USD = 63
Yemen - Rial (YER): 1 USD = 250
Afghanistan - Afghani (AFN): 1 USD = 80
Kyrgyzstan - Som (KGS): 1 USD = 89
Haiti - Gourde (HTG): 1 USD = 131
Nigeria - Naira (NGN): 1 USD = 775
Moldova - Leu (MDL): 1 USD = 18
Armenia - Dram (AMD): 1 USD = 410
Georgia - Lari (GEL): 1 USD = 2.85
Somalia - Shilling (SOS): 1 USD = 550
Fiji - Dollar (FJD): 1 USD = 2.26
Nicaragua - Cordoba (NIO): 1 USD = 36.5
Bangladesh - Taka (BDT): 1 USD = 110
Kazakhstan - Tenge (KZT): 1 USD = 470
Iceland - Krona (ISK): 1 USD = 136
Philippines - Peso (PHP): 1 USD = 57
What These Rates Tell Us About Global Economics
Currency strength reflects deeper economic realities. The lowest currency in the world typically emerges in nations facing external pressures, internal mismanagement, or both. Monitoring these exchange rates provides investors and analysts with early warning signals about economic distress and potential opportunities in emerging markets.
Each nation on this list wrestles with distinct challenges—whether hyperinflation, capital controls, external sanctions, or limited foreign investment access. Yet the common thread remains consistent: weak currencies signal economies requiring structural reform, institutional strengthening, and renewed investor confidence to reverse depreciation trends and stabilize their purchasing power.
Stay informed about global financial developments and how currency movements impact international commerce, remittances, and investment flows across developing economies worldwide.
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Global Guide to the Lowest Currency Rates: Where the US Dollar Goes Furthest
Understanding global currency values reveals fascinating patterns about which nations face the most severe economic pressures. This breakdown examines 50 countries where the US dollar possesses extraordinary purchasing power, revealing where currency values have weakened the most against the greenback. For those tracking international markets and financial trends, identifying the lowest currency exchange rates worldwide provides crucial insight into regional economic health.
The Extreme End: Where Currencies Rank Lowest Against the Dollar
The most dramatic currency devaluation occurs in nations experiencing severe macroeconomic crises. Venezuela leads with staggering depreciation, where 1 USD equals approximately 4,000,815 Bolivars (VES). Iran follows with 1 USD reaching 514,000 Rials (IRR). These represent the lowest currency values globally, reflecting decades of economic sanctions, hyperinflation, and political instability. Syria occupies position 29 with 1 USD equal to 15,000 Syrian Pounds (SYP), while Sudan ranks 22nd at 1 USD to 600 Sudanese Pounds (SDG).
Regional Currency Depreciation Patterns Across Global Markets
Southeast Asia: Indonesia’s Rupiah (IDR) sits at 1 USD = 14,985, while Vietnam’s Dong (VND) values 1 USD at 24,000. Cambodia’s Riel (KHR) reaches 1 USD = 4,086. These represent moderate devaluation relative to other global lowest currency benchmarks.
Central Asia & Eastern Europe: Uzbekistan’s Som (UZS) exchanges at 1 USD = 11,420, while Tajikistan’s Somoni (TJS) reaches 1 USD = 11. Belarus’s Ruble (BYN) stands at 1 USD = 3.14, reflecting post-Soviet economic transitions. Kazakhstan’s Tenge (KZT) equals 1 USD = 470.
Sub-Saharan Africa: Nigeria’s Naira (NGN) represents 1 USD = 775, Kenya’s Shilling (KES) at 1 USD = 148, and Ghana’s Cedi (GHS) at 1 USD = 12. Ethiopia’s Birr (ETB) achieves 1 USD = 55, while Uganda’s Shilling (UGX) equals 1 USD = 3,806—among the world’s lowest currency rates by absolute number.
South Asia: Pakistan’s Rupee (PKR) exchanges at 1 USD = 290, Sri Lanka’s Rupee (LKR) at 1 USD = 320, and Bangladesh’s Taka (BDT) at 1 USD = 110. Nepal’s Rupee (NPR) reaches 1 USD = 132.
Middle East & North Africa: Iraq’s Dinar (IQD) values 1 USD at 1,310, Lebanon’s Pound (LBP) at 15,012, and Yemen’s Rial (YER) at 250. Egypt’s Pound (EGP) reaches 1 USD = 31.
Americas: Colombia’s Peso (COP) equals 1 USD = 3,915, while Paraguay’s Guarani (PYG) reaches 1 USD = 7,241. Haiti’s Gourde (HTG) sits at 1 USD = 131, and Nicaragua’s Cordoba (NIO) at 1 USD = 36.5.
Understanding Economic Factors Behind the Weakest Currency Values
Countries with the lowest currency in the world typically share common characteristics: limited foreign exchange reserves, chronic inflation, political instability, or external sanctions. Hyperinflation remains the primary driver in Venezuela and Iran, where money supply expansion far exceeds economic output. Conflict and political dysfunction plague Syria, Yemen, and Sudan, disrupting trade and investment flows.
The lowest currency exchanges often reflect structural vulnerabilities: dependence on commodity exports subject to price volatility, limited economic diversification, weak institutional governance, and capital flight. When international investors lose confidence, currency outflows accelerate depreciation spirals.
Complete Ranking of 50 Nations with Lowest Currency Exchange Rates
What These Rates Tell Us About Global Economics
Currency strength reflects deeper economic realities. The lowest currency in the world typically emerges in nations facing external pressures, internal mismanagement, or both. Monitoring these exchange rates provides investors and analysts with early warning signals about economic distress and potential opportunities in emerging markets.
Each nation on this list wrestles with distinct challenges—whether hyperinflation, capital controls, external sanctions, or limited foreign investment access. Yet the common thread remains consistent: weak currencies signal economies requiring structural reform, institutional strengthening, and renewed investor confidence to reverse depreciation trends and stabilize their purchasing power.
Stay informed about global financial developments and how currency movements impact international commerce, remittances, and investment flows across developing economies worldwide.