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By Vipul Jain | 16 May, 2025
Have you ever thought of which is the weakest currency in the world?
You can define a weak currency as one with a decreasing or low value in comparison to the currencies of other countries.
Several factors can cause currency depreciation, including a rise in imports, central bank intervention, changes in the inflation rate, lower export revenues, and political instability.
To give you an idea, below we will go through the list of the 10 weakest currencies in the world in 2025. You might be surprised after reading some of the names that come to the top of the list.
So, let's start reading!
Here is the list of the top 10 weakest global currencies, with the lowest on top:
| Position | Currency (Code) | Country |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lebanese pound (LBP) | Lebanon |
| 2 | Iranian rial (IRR) | Iran |
| 3 | Vietnamese dong (VND) | Vietnam |
| 4 | Laotian kip (LAK) | Laos |
| 5 | Sierra Leonean leone (SLL) | Sierra Leone |
| 6 | Indonesian rupiah (IDR) | Indonesia |
| 7 | Uzbekistan som (UZS) | Uzbekistan |
| 8 | Guinean franc (GNF) | Guinea |
| 9 | Paraguayan guarani (PYG) | Paraguay |
| 10 | Malagasy ariary (MGA) | Madagascar |
*Note: The above list of the world's weakest currencies is based on the value of each currency in comparison with the USD as of 2024.
Moving on, let's take a closer look at the currency of each country in detail.
The Lebanese pound (LBP) is the world's weakest currency. For several years, the currency has been at or near the bottom of the list of the weakest currencies in the world. The key reasons behind it are high inflation, political instability, and a depressed economy. Additionally, since 2019, the country has also been facing a banking crisis.
Next to the Mediterranean Sea, Lebanon is a small country located in the Middle East. It also shares its borders with Israel and Syria.
The country has a lot to offer tourists, including mouthwatering food, natural reserves, and its amazing capital city, Beirut. Lebanon is a diverse country that grabs the attention of many tourists globally.
However, the country is currently facing a major armed conflict, so it is not safe for travel at present.
Since 2015, when the Iran-US nuclear deal fell apart and when heavy sanctions were imposed on the country, the Iranian rial (IRR) has been suffering. The currency first fell in recent years, then stabilised, and subsequently faced a new issue due to increasing tensions in the Middle East.
Situated on the Persian Gulf, the country shares its borders with Iraq and Afghanistan. Although tourism in Iran is relatively low compared to other countries, it is popular for its tasty food and numerous UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Some travelers do reside there, primarily working in the oil and gas industries.
You can check currency exchange rate using Currency Converter Check Now!On the list of the world's weakest currencies, the Vietnamese dong (VND) ranks third. The primary reason is restrictions on foreign exports, which have also decreased in volume. In addition, in recent years, the Central Bank of the Country has also devalued the dong to boost exports.
Situated near the South China Sea, Vietnam shares borders with China, Cambodia, and Laos. The country is renowned for being a wonderful nation, with its vibrant food, fascinating scenery, and affordable living, attracting both expats and tourists in droves.
Due to a combination of several factors, the Laotian or Lao kip (LAK) is one of the weakest global currencies. The factors include slow economic growth, high inflation, and increasing foreign debt.
The Southeast Asian country of Laos shares its borders with Vietnam, Cambodia, China, and Thailand.
The country is popular for its beautiful, rugged mountainous scenery, French colonial architecture, and the Mekong River that flows through it. The place is a must-visit destination for travelers seeking off-the-beaten-track adventures. Additionally, the capital city of the country, Vientiane, is also becoming home to the expatriate community.
Like the Laotian kip, the Sierra Leonean leone (SLL) currency has been influenced by a distinct set of factors. These involve slow economic growth, high levels of inflation, and debt, with lasting after-effects of health crises, such as the Ebola virus outbreak.
Guinea and Liberia are the neighbours of the West African country of Sierra Leone. The country boasts a rich cultural heritage, comprising diverse ethnic groups and their distinctive traditions and languages.
Sierra Leone is a popular destination among tourists who enjoy adventure, love wildlife, and appreciate the country's rainforests and beautiful beaches. However, there are violent crimes with high levels in the country. Therefore, travelers should exercise caution during their visit to the nation.
Due to two key factors, the Indonesian rupiah (IDR) is one of the world's weakest currencies. These are fears of the economy entering a recession and experiencing a high inflation rate. Even though, by GDP, Indonesia is one of the largest countries in Southeast Asia, both of these factors decrease the value of the currency.
In Southeast Asia, the island nation of Indonesia comprises over 17,000 islands, offering travelers a wealth of beautiful beaches, cities, and towns to explore.
In addition, the low living costs, attractive natural beauty, and tropical climate, along with the growing business and job opportunities in thriving cities like Surabaya and Jakarta, draw the attention of expats to the country.
Despite having sustainable gas and oil reserves, which are key assets for nations with some of the world's strongest currencies, Uzbekistan's som (UZS) has struggled in recent years. It is likely because of factors such as low economic growth, high unemployment, corruption issues, and high inflation.
Uzbekistan is situated near Central Asia and shares its borders with Tajikistan, Afghanistan, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, and Turkmenistan.
In addition, the country is home to some of the world's oldest cities, including Khiva, Samarkand, and Bukhara. Apart from this, the UNESCO treasures of the country, along with its reputation for safety, make it a popular travel destination among tourists. Furthermore, due to its low living costs, Uzbekistan is also a top choice for expatriates.
Following the conflicts of the 1990s, the Guinean Franc (GNF) currency began to decline. Due to several factors like high inflation and military unrest, the GNF remains one of the world's weakest currencies. However, in recent times, the currency has been showing signs of stabilising.
Guinea, a former French colony, is situated in sub-Saharan Africa and shares its borders with both Liberia and Sierra Leone.
The country does not have an excessive number of expatriates and tourists, partly due to its poor quality infrastructure, which makes it challenging to get around. Despite this, those who travel to this fantastic country discover a rich and diverse cultural heritage, accompanied by beautiful natural landscapes and friendly people.
The Paraguayan gurani (PYG) currency has faced persistent issues with unemployment and inflation, making it one of the world's weakest currencies. Additionally, the currency is also hampered by counterfeited currency and corruption.
Surrounded by the majority of land, Paraguay, a South American country, has Bolivia, Argentina, and Brazil as its neighbours. From a tourism perspective, the government is a hidden gem, boasting natural beauty spots and lively cities with fewer crowds.
Additionally, the country is renowned for its rich cultural heritage, diverse wildlife, and vibrant capital city, Asunción.
Lastly, but still among the world's lowest-valued currencies, is the Malagasy ariary (MGA). Around 2009, the currency of Madagascar experienced a significant decline in value. It was caused by a combination of several factors, like political instability, natural disasters, and the global financial crisis.
In recent years, the country's situation has only worsened, with MGA being weakened by the unwillingness of foreign investors to invest and a high inflation rate.
The island nation is located near the southeast coast of Africa. Madagascar is renowned for its unique plants and animals, including its distinctive lemur species.
This makes the place a haven for conservationists and wildlife lovers, attracting many who relocate to the country's capital city, Antananarivo, to conduct research projects. Additionally, the government is also home to lush rainforests, beautiful beaches, and national parks. However, navigating the country's poorly maintained roads can be challenging.
These were the top 10 weakest currencies in the world in 2025. After knowing about them, you might be thinking about the factors that impact the exchange rate of the currency. Let's clear up your doubts in the next section by reading about them.
To understand the country's economic health, it is essential to be aware of the foreign exchange rate. Here are some factors that impact the currency value of the country:
With knowledge of the weakest currencies in the world, you are now better equipped to manage your foreign trip and explore diverse economies and cultures. Seeking visa assistance for your international travel? Connect with Visament and obtain your visa for any country easily and without the hassle of the traditional application process. Additionally, our currency calculator tool enables you to convert currencies from various countries, providing insight into the world's major currencies and helping you plan your trip within your budget. So, why wait? Plan your foreign trip and get your visa easily with Visament.
The strongest currency in the world is the Kuwaiti Dinar (KWD). The country’s currency demonstrates attributes such as oil wealth, a fixed exchange rate, economic stability, and a tax-free environment.
The worst exchange rate historically occurred in post-WW1 Germany. At the end of 1923, due to extreme hyperinflation, 4.2 trillion Deutsche Mark (DEM) exchanged for 1 US dollar (USD).
The Lebanese pound (LBP) is the least traded currency in the world as it is the least valuable and weakest currency in the world.
The foreign currency is priced in two ways. The first is using a floating rate, which is calculated by the open market through global demand and supply. If the currency is in demand in the world, its value usually increases. The second method of pricing is a fixed rate, also called a pegged rate. The government determined it through its central bank and is set against another major global currency, such as the EUR or USD.
Over the last 5 years, including the following one, the worst performing currency pairs are as follows (mention in currency symbols) NZD/ CHF, AUD/ CHF, EUR/ CHF, GBP/ CHF, CAD/ CHF, USD/ CHF
One of the simplest ways to know which currency is weaker is to use the exchange rate and compare one currency to another. A lower exchange rate demonstrates that a currency is weaker than the currency of a compared country. In addition, you can also use the currency converter tool of Visament to compare the exchange rates of countries.
To know where GBP is worth the least, generally look at exchange rates against the currencies of other countries. However, know that currency exchange rates constantly fluctuate based on interest rates, economic conditions, and geopolitical events.
The most stable currency in the world is the Swiss franc (CHF). The stability of the currency demonstrates the strong economy of Switzerland, low debt levels, and good financial policies, making it a safe-haven currency for investors.
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