One country’s currency has crashed so much that just one US dollar can now purchase 89,578 of its pounds. Experts say the Lebanese Pound is the weakest currency in the world “by some margin” as it tops a hall of shame of the world’s worst performing.
Andrew Michael, an expert at Forbes Advisor, said in a report on the worst performers: “The Lebanese pound is currently, by some margin, the weakest currency in the world when measured against the US dollar.
“One Lebanese pound buys $0.000011. Put another way, this means that $1 is worth 89,578 Lebanese pounds.” Lebanon’s economy is service-based, but the country also exports food and drinks, metals, some chemicals and precious stones.
But, bordering the Mediterranean Sea, as well as Israel and Syria, it’s economy has been affected harshly by the wars in Syria and more recently Gaza.
Mr Michael added: “The Lebanese pound has been under pressure against the US dollar for several years thanks to a depressed economy, high inflation and unemployment, a banking crisis and political unrest.”
Next worst performing currency is the Iranian rial, currently worth $0.000024. Just $1 would buy 42,087 Iranian rials.
The currency emerged in the late 1700s and has been relatively static against the US Dollar for several years. Iran is a key exporter of oil and natural gas, but economic sanctions, largely from the US, have put huge pressure on its economy.
The report was compiled for those considering in investing in weaker economies, which can potentially make significant amounts if there is a rise in its value.
But, it is a risky tactic as they could remain low or even plummet further. The US dollar is the world’s most traded currency, but not the strongest, which is currently seen as the Kuwaiti dinar.
Third worst performing currency is the Vietnamese dong as each unit can only buy $0.000039. Just $1 could buy 25,442 Vietnamese dong.
It is a service led industry with electronics, energy and textiles key industries. It has been hit hard by rising interest rates in the US, restrictions on foreign exports and a slowdown in exports.
Another south-east Asian currency, the Laotian kip, is in at number four. Around since the 1950s, 1 kip is equivalent to $0.000046, so $1 is worth 21,705 kip.
Land-locked Laos relies on exports of copper, gold and timber but has slow economic growth, high inflation and rising debt.
Sierra Leone has had a currency called leone since 1964 and one unit of it gets $0.000048. So, $1 is the equivalent of 20,969 leone.
It’s key exports are timber and minerals such as diamonds and gold plus industrial metals. High inflation and debt plus slow economic growth since the Ebola outbreak have kept it struggling.
6. Indonesian rupiah: One rupiah is worth $ 0.000061 – $1 could buy the equivalent of 16,301 rupiah.
7. Uzbekistan som – One unit buys $0.000079 – $1 is the equivalent of 12,640 som.
8. Guinean franc – One unit is worth $0.000116 – $1 worth 8,614 Guinea francs.
9. Paraguayan guarani – One unit buys $0.000133 – $1 worth 7,528 guarani.
10. Malagasy ariary – One ariary is currently worth $0.000225 – $1 worth 4,454 ariary.