Banking and Finance

Top Weakest Currencies in the World in 2025

autohr img By Vipul Jain | 16 May, 2025
Weakest Currencies in the World

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.

There are many factors that can cause currency depreciation, such as a rise in imports, intervention of the central bank, changes in the inflation rate, lower export revenues, and political instability. 

To provide you with an idea of it, below we will go through the list of the 10 weakest currencies in the world in 2025. You might get surprised after reading some of the name that comes top of the list. 

So, let’s start reading!

What Are the Top 10 Weakest Global Currencies?

Here is the list of the top 10 weakest global currencies, with the weakest 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 currency in comparison with the USD in 2024. 

Moving further, let’s know about the currency of each country in detail.

Lebanese Pound (LBP)

The Lebanese pound (LBP) is the world’s weakest currency. For a few years, the currency has been at or near the top 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.

Guide to Lebanon 

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 provide to tourists, such as mouthwatering food, natural reserves, and its amazing capital city, Beirut. Lebanon is a diverse country that grabs the attention of many tourists globally.

However, currently, the country is facing major armed conflict, so at present it is not safe for travel.

  • Population: 5,805,9602 
  • Main Language: Arabic
  • National Dish: Kibbeh

Iranian Rial (IRR)

Since 2015, when the Iran-US nuclear deal fell apart and when heavy sanctions were imposed on the country, from then the Iranian rial (IRR) has been suffering. The currency first freeball, in recent years, stabilised and then faced a new issue due to increasing tensions in the Middle East.

Guide to Iran

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 but it is popular for its tasty food and many World Heritage Sites of UNESCO. Some travelers do live there, mainly working in the gas and oil industries.

  • Population: 91,567,7002
  • Main Language: Persian (Farsi)
  • National Dish: Chelow Kabab
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Vietnamese Dong (VND)

On the list of the world’s weakest currencies on the third position is the Vietnamese dong (VND). The key reason behind it 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 in order to boost exports.

Guide to Vietnam 

Situated near the South China Sea, Vietnam shares borders with China, Cambodia, and Laos. The country is popular as an extremely beautiful nation, with its vibrant food, fascinating scenery, and pocket-friendly living, attracting both expats and tourists in droves. 

  • Population: 100,988,0002
  • Main Language: Vietnamese
  • National Dish: Pho

Laotian Kip (LAK)

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.

Guide to Laos

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 location for travelers seeking off-beaten track adventures. In addition, the capital city of the country, i.e., Vientiane, is also becoming home to the expat community.

  • Population: 7,769,8202
  • Main Language: Lao
  • National Dish: Laap/ Larb

Sierra Leonean Leone (SLL)

Like the Laotian kip, the Sierra Leonean leone (SLL) currency has been impacted by a different combination of factors. These involve slow economic growth, high levels of inflation, and debt, and lasting after-effects of health crises like the Ebola virus outbreak.

Guide to Sierra Leone

Guinea and Liberia are the neighbours of the West African country of Sierra Leone. The country has a rich culture, with different ethnic groups with their unique traditions and languages.

Sierra Leone is a popular choice among tourists who like adventures, love wildlife, rainforests, and beautiful beaches. However, there are violent crimes with high levels in the country. So, travelers should be very cautious during their visit to the nation. 

  • Population: 8,642,0202
  • Main Language: English/ Krio
  • National Dish: Soup/ Cassava leaf stew

Indonesian Rupiah (IDR)

Due to two key factors, the Indonesian rupiah (IDR) is one of the world’s weakest currencies. These are fears of the economy going into recession and 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.

Guide to Indonesia 

In Southeast Asia, the island nation of Indonesia consists of 17000+ islands, offering travelers plenty of beautiful beaches, cities, and towns to explore.

In addition, the low living cost, attractive natural beauty, and tropical climate, along with the growing business and job opportunities in thriving cities like Surabaya and Jakarta, grab the attention of expats towards the country. 

  • Population: 283,488,0002
  • Main Language: Bahasa Indonesia
  • National Dish: Nasi goreng

Uzbekistan Som (UZS)

Despite having sustainable gas and oil reserves, which are key things for nations with some of the world’s strongest currencies, in recent years, the Uzbekistan som (UZS) has constantly struggled. It is likely because of factors such as low economic growth, high unemployment, corruption issues, and high inflation.

Guide to Uzbekistan 

Uzbekistan is situated near Central Asia and shares its borders with Tajikistan, Afghanistan, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, and Turkmenistan.

In addition, the country is home to the oldest cities of the world, i.e., Khiva, Samarkand, and Bukhara. Apart from this, the UNESCO treasures of the country, along with its safety reputation, make it a popular traveling destination among tourists. Further, particularly due to low living costs, Uzbekistan is also top choice for expats.

  • Population: 36,361,9002
  • Main Language: Uzbek
  • National Dish: Plov/ Palov 

Guinean Franc (GNF)

Following the 1990s conflicts, the Guinean Franc (GNF) currency started declining. 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. 

Guide to Guinea

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 expats and tourists, partly because of poor quality infrastructure, which makes it difficult to get around. Despite this, those who travel to this amazing country explore a rich and diverse cultural heritage with beautiful natural landscapes and friendly people.

  • Population: 14,754,8002
  • Main Language: French
  • National Dish: Poulet Yassa

Paraguayan Guarani (PYG)

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.

Guide to Paraguay

Surrounded by the majority of land, Paraguay, a South American country, has Bolivia, Argentina, and Brazil as its neighbours. From a tourism perspective, the country is a hidden gem with natural beauty spots and lively cities with fewer or no crowds.

Additionally, the country is popular for its rich cultural sites, diverse wildlife, and amazing capital city, Asuncion. 

  • Population: 6,929,15022
  • Main Language: Paraguayan Guarani/ Spanish
  • National Dish: Sopa paraguaya

Malagasy Ariary (MGA)

Last, but still in the list of one of the world’s lowest value currencies, is the Malagasy ariary (MGA). Around the year 2009, the currency of Madagascar experienced a significant drop-off in value. It was caused by a combination of several factors, like political instability, natural disasters, and the downfall of the global financial crisis.

In recent years, the situation of the country has only gotten worse, with MGA made weaker by the unwillingness of foreign investors to invest and a high inflation rate.

Guide to Madagascar

The island nation of the country is located near the southeast coast of Africa. Madagascar is popular among people for its unique plants and animals, including its characterful lemur species.

This makes the place a haven for conservationists and wildlife lovers, involving many who move to the capital city of the country, Antananarivo, to conduct research projects. Additionally, the country also consists of lush rainforests, beautiful beaches, and national parks. However, getting around the poorly maintained roads of the country can be challenging.

  • Population: 31,965,0002
  • Main Language: Malagasy
  • National Dish: Romazava

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. So, let’s clear your doubts in the next section by reading about them.

Factors that Impact the Exchange Rate of the Weakest Currencies in the World

To know the economic health of the country, it is vital to know the foreign exchange rate. Here are some factors that impact the currency value of the country:

  • Inflation Rate: The currency exchange rate is also impacted by market inflation. When it is low, the cost of goods and services will rise gradually. When the inflation rate steadily declines, the value of currency increases, and vice versa.
  • Interest Rate: The interest rate also impacts the currency exchange rate. The higher it is, the more the value of the currency will decline. 
  • Recession: The economic growth of the country and the foreign exchange market are also affected by the recession. During this time, the interest rates decrease, devaluing foreign capital. Additionally, the value of the currency drops when interest rates are low and foreign capital is scarce.
  • Political Instability: Political instability in the country also harms the economic performance of the country and the profits of investors. A stable political administration attracts several foreign investors. Additionally, the investment might boost foreign capital and increase the domestic value of the currency.
  • Government Debt: Public or government debt is a public liability and government-debt. If one nation faces debt, with the potential of inflation, the chances of having more money decrease. Additionally, foreign investors during investment will be in two minds, considering high inflation that decreases the value of currency. 

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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. Looking for visa assistance for your foreign trip? Connect with Visament and get your visa for any country, simply without dealing with the hectic application process. Additionally, with our currency calculator tool, you can convert currencies of different countries and have an idea of the world’s major currencies, and plan your trip as per your budget. So, why wait? Plan your foreign trip and get your visa easily with Visament. 

Frequently Asked Questions

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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