By Hemant SharmaUnderstanding how currency works in a nation and on a global stage is super important to get to know about a country’s financial health because it very much depends upon this factor. Like, how strong a currency is, can tell you a whole lot about a country’s financial health, that’s what we want to say. Usually, when talking about currencies in general, like how strong they are and how weak they are, we compare them to the US Dollar, and that’s what we will be doing today as well. Here, we’ll have a quick look at the top 10 cheapest currency in the world as of 2025 and will compare them with the US Dollar. So, here we go.
1. Iranian Rial (IRR)
In terms of the lowest-valued currency at the moment, well, the Iranian Rial has spent years holding the title of the weakest currency in the entire world. Why and how? Well, just so you know, at present, 1 dollar equals about 42,100 Rials. Like, if you pack your bags and go down to Iran right now, and you just cash out about $25, you’d be a millionaire down there! Then why is it so weak? Because of all these international sanctions (which is like all countries stopping trade with you), high inflation (which means prices keep going up), and political problems, Iran has had to face a lot of issues.
2. Lebanese Pound (LBP)
To be straight up here, well, the currency of Lebanon has crashed. By 2025, 1 U.S. dollar is around 89,600 Lebanese Pounds. Just so you know though, a few years back, the Pound was worth a whole lot more, but of course, Lebanon collapsed. Reasons? Well, that would be the banks in the country started to function improperly, inflation went out of control, and the people lost faith in their money. Since 2019, its value has fallen by more than 98%. Just imagine having $100 one day, and it’s worth $2, it’s kinda the situation that happened to Lebanese Pound holders.
3. Vietnamese Dong (VND)
Vietnamese currency Dong is amongst the world’s cheapest currencies, but how and why? Well, first of all, in 2025, the exchange rate of around 1 USD is equal to 25,000 Dong. So yes, that’s dull cheap! Though, unlike other currencies on this list today, you see, down there in Vietnam, the administration purposely keeps their currency weak so their products become cheap for other countries, you know? Like, it helps Vietnam sell more stuff and makes their country grow. Even though the Dong is weak, Vietnam is actually doing pretty well financially, just saying.
4. Laotian Kip (LAK)
Alright, next on the list, for now, just know that the Laotian Kip has been more or less weak for a long time, not because of a big crash. In 2025, one US dollar equals roughly 21,700 Kip. Laos is an underdeveloped nation, thus it does not have many industries, you know? So yes, because they rely on imports, they buy a lot from other countries. As their currency is weak it makes other things kinda expensive for the citizens of Laos.
5. Sierra Leonean Leone (SLL)
Sierra Leone’s currency has dropped in value for two years running, and yes, it is still going down. Like, in 2025, 1 USD is worth about 21,000 Leones, so yes, that’s kinda low. Very low actually! Though, yes, the government did change the currency (removing some more zeros made it look stronger) but that didn’t work. Due to inflationary and economic problems, things continued worsening.
6. Indonesian Rupiah (IDR)
Indonesia is a fast-growing country, but its currency, the Rupiah (which sounds really similar to the Rupee, which is India’s currency), has always been weak. How and why? Well, first of all, just know that in 2025, the Rupiah would equal about 16,200 per USD. Why exactly? Simple! Because Indonesia relies heavily on exports. When global prices drop, the economy becomes weaker in value. Though, down there, the Central Bank of the country tries to prevent the Rupiah from becoming too weak.
7. Uzbekistani Som (UZS)
Uzbekistan tries to improve its economy, but the Som (their official currency) is not very powerful yet. Like, as of January 2025, you can cash out one dollar for 12,900 Som, how about that? Though, some time ago, Uzbekistan lifted its government controls on currency, allowing people to exchange money freely. Although this transparency was a good step, it also allowed the real value of the Som to show, and that value was quite low.
8. Guinean Franc (GNF)
The currency of Guinea is among the weakest, but how weak are we talking about here? Well, just know that this very country has a lot of natural resources, like gold and bauxite. Like, by the end of the first month of 2025, 1 USD is equal to 8,600 Guinea Francs. So, what’s the problem? Corruption and political instability, that’s what! Even though Guinea has a lot of valuable resources, the government hasn’t managed things well, so the currency keeps dropping in value, no matter what.
9. Paraguayan Guarani (PYG)
Do you know that some say Paraguay is a small country that relies on agriculture? Though, at the start of 2025, 1 USD equals about 7,900 Guaranis. Sure, we know that Paraguay has few industries, though, its economy moves slowly and has been going on for a long time. After that, inflation and corruption have stopped the currency from getting stronger.
10. Malagasy Ariary (MGA)
Last on the list, you see, one of the cheapest currencies is still the Ariary of Madagascar. By 2025, 1 dollar is worth about 4700 Ariary. Madagascar has many troubles, mainly with politicians. Then there is also infrastructure and cyclones. Madagascar’s economy suffers a lot from cyclones because it depends a lot on agriculture, you know?
Conclusion
That’s all. On a global stage, and as of January 2025, these are by far the cheapest aka the weakest currencies in the world. Sure, this list can’t stay the same for always, maybe some of these currencies get better against the US Dollar, or maybe get worse, and then sure enough, this list will change. But worry not, we’ll keep you posted about that.