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15 Weakest Currencies in Asia 2025: Lowest Currencies by Value Ranked

Written by Itsariya Doungnet

Fact checked by Antonio Di Giacomo

Updated 26 September 2025

weakest-currency-in-asia

Table of Contents

    The currency values of Asia in 2025 demonstrate the different economic and political difficulties that exist throughout the region.

    The combination of rising inflation rates and economic sanctions and poor financial management has led multiple countries to experience their currencies reaching historic lows.

    The list presents the 15 weakest currencies in Asia through their US dollar exchange rates which demonstrate the current economic challenges facing these nations.

    Important Note on Exchange Rates: The ranking uses nominal exchange rates to show the value of USD when purchasing one unit of local currency. The strength of a currency does not directly correlate with its nominal value because high or low exchange rates do not necessarily indicate economic performance. Certain currencies with low values maintain stability through strong economic systems. The list provides general guidance but does not offer a complete assessment of economic health.

    Key Takeaways

    • The weakest currencies in Asia fell in 2025 due to rising inflation, high debt levels, political instability, and economic uncertainty.

    • Currency depreciation raised import costs, weakened investor confidence, and lowered living standards for consumers.

    • Reforms were introduced, but lasting stability depends on strong economic policies and sustainable growth.

    • Investors who track weak currencies can reduce risk exposure and avoid volatile emerging markets.

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    What are the Weakest Currencies in Asia?

    The following list presents the Weakest Currency in Asia with their current exchange rates against the US dollar starting from the lowest value to the highest.

    1. Lebanese Pound (LBP)

    2. Iranian Rial (IRR)

    3. Syrian Pound (SYP)

    4. Vietnamese Dong (VND)

    5. Laotian Kip (LAK)

    6. Mongolian Tögrög (MNT)

    7. Cambodian Riel (KHR)

    8. Myanmar Kyat (MMK)

    9. Indonesian Rupiah (IDR)

    10. Sri Lankan Rupee (LKR)

    11. Pakistani Rupee (PKR)

    12. Uzbekistani Som (UZS)

    13. Tajikistani Somoni (TJS)

    14. Bangladeshi Taka (BDT)

    15. Afghan Afghani (AFN)

     

    Weakest Currencies in Asia – Detailed List

    Below highlights the 15 weakest Asian currencies in 2025, detailing the factors behind their depreciation and the economic implications of their decline.

    Rank

    Currency Name

    Currency Code

    Approx. Exchange Rate (1 USD)

    Issuing Authority

    1

    Iranian Rial

    IRR

    42,194 IRR

    Central Bank of Iran

    2

    Lebanese Pound

    LBP

    90,909 LBP

    Banque du Liban

    3

    Syrian Pound

    SYP

    12,987 SYP

    Central Bank of Syria

    4

    Vietnamese Dong

    VND

    26,316 VND

    State Bank of Vietnam

    5

    Laotian Kip

    LAK

    21,739 LAK

    Bank of the Lao P.D.R.

    6

    Mongolian Tögrög

    MNT

    3,571 MNT

    Bank of Mongolia

    7

    Cambodian Riel

    KHR

    4,000 KHR

    National Bank of Cambodia

    8

    Myanmar Kyat

    MMK

    2,099 MMK

    Central Bank of Myanmar

    9

    Indonesian Rupiah

    IDR

    16,393 IDR

    Bank Indonesia

    10

    Pakistani Rupee

    PKR

    285.7 PKR

    State Bank of Pakistan

    11

    Sri Lankan Rupee

    LKR

    303 LKR

    Central Bank of Sri Lanka

    12

    Uzbekistani Som

    UZS

    11,070 UZS

    Central Bank of Uzbekistan

    13

    Tajikistani Somoni

    TJS

    11.3 TJS

    National Bank of Tajikistan

    14

    Bangladeshi Taka

    BDT

    109 BDT

    Bangladesh Bank

    15

    Afghan Afghani

    AFN

    86 AFN

    Da Afghanistan Bank

     

    Iranian Rial (IRR)

    iranian-rial-least-valuable-currency

    Source: Wikipedia

    The Rial remains the weakest due to ongoing international sanctions, soaring inflation, and limited foreign currency reserves. These factors severely restrict economic growth and currency stabilization efforts.

    USD/IRR Rate Comparison (26 September 2025)

    1 IRR = 0.0000237 USD

    1 USD = 42,194 IRR

    The Central Bank of Iran attempts to control the currency value but faces difficulties from restricted foreign exchange availability and rising inflation rates which hinder its ability to stabilize the Rial. The current economic problems in Iran make the Iranian Rial an unsuitable investment opportunity for investors.

     

    Lebanese Pound (LBP)

    lebanese-pound-second-weakest-currency

    Source: Wikipedia

    The Pound suffers from deep political turmoil and an ongoing economic crisis, leading to hyperinflation and sharp currency depreciation, eroding public trust and purchasing power.

    USD/LBP Rate Comparison (26 September 2025)

    1 LBP = 0.000011 USD

    1 USD = 90,909 LBP

    The Banque du Liban functions as the central bank while facing difficulties to stabilize the currency because Lebanon lacks sufficient reserves and multiple economic problems need resolution.

    The lack of trust in the Lebanese Pound has become so severe that people now view it as a dangerous currency for both financial transactions and investments.highlighting the urgent need for financial and political reforms.

     

    Syrian Pound (SYP)

    syrian-pound

    Source: Wikipedia

    The Syrian Pound faces continual decline because of prolonged conflict, sanctions, and economic isolation, which cripple the country’s ability to stabilize its currency.

    USD/SYP Rate Comparison (26 September 2025)

    1 SYP = 0.000077 USD

    1 USD = 12,987 SYP

    The Central Bank of Syria has encountered difficulties in maintaining stability of the pound currency. The Syrian Pound continues to decline in value because the nation remains in conflict and lacks proper access to foreign exchange markets.The unstable currency value has caused prices to increase for basic necessities while people lose confidence in the monetary system.

     

    Vietnamese Dong (VND)

    vietnamese-dong

    Source: Wikipedia

    The Vietnamese Dong is one of Asia's least valuable currencies during 2025 but demonstrates better stability than multiple other currencies.

    USD/VND Rate Comparison (26 September 2025)

    1 VND = 0.000038 USD

    1 USD = 26,316 VND

    The State Bank of Vietnam exercises careful management of currency through policies to maintain stability of the Dong. The Vietnamese economy maintains growth through manufacturing and export success despite experiencing a small increase in inflation rates. The Dong functions as a controlled weaker currency which supports Vietnam's trade operations.

     

    Laotian Kip (LAK)

    laotian-kip

    Source: Wikipedia

    The currency maintains a low value because Laos operates with a limited economic base and depends on foreign imports which creates downward pressure on its exchange rate.

    USD/LAK Rate Comparison (26 September 2025)

    1 LAK = 0.000046 USD

    1 USD = 21,739 LAK

    The Bank of the Lao P.D.R. operates as the currency manager but faces challenges from elevated inflation rates and restricted foreign investment which hinders its ability to maintain Kip stability. The Kip maintains a weak position against other Asian currencies because of which prices for everyday items in Laos continue to rise.

     

    Mongolian Tögrög (MNT)

    Mongolian-Toegroeg-MNT-currency

    Source: Wikipedia

    The value of the Mongolian Tögrög depends on mining exports because these exports face price volatility in the global market.

    USD/MNT Rate Comparison (26 September 2025)

    1 MNT = 0.00028 USD

    1 USD = 3,571 MNT

    The Bank of Mongolia maintains Tögrög stability but the economy's mineral-based structure leads to rapid currency value fluctuations.

    The currency faces additional strain because of rising inflation rates and restricted foreign investment. Mongolia continues to work on economic development which should lead to improved Tögrög stability in upcoming years.

     

    Cambodian Riel (KHR)

    cambodian-riel-currency

    Source: Wikipedia

    Cambodia uses the Riel alongside the US dollar in daily life, which helps keep its value more stable than some other currencies.

    USD/KHR Rate Comparison (26 September 2025)

    1 KHR = 0.00025 USD

    1 USD = 4,000 KHR

    The National Bank of Cambodia manages the Riel, but because the US dollar is widely used, the Riel doesn’t have to carry all the pressure of the economy. This dollarization helps Cambodia keep prices and inflation under control.

    While the Riel remains weak compared to stronger currencies, this system gives some stability and support to the Cambodian economy.

     

    Indonesian Rupiah (IDR)

    Indonesian-Rupiah

    Source: Wikipedia

    The Indonesian Rupiah is affected by inflation and changes in global commodity prices, as Indonesia relies heavily on exports like palm oil and coal.

    USD/IDR Rate Comparison (26 September 2025)

    1 IDR = 0.000061 USD

    1 USD = 16,393 IDR

    Bank Indonesia manages the currency to keep it stable, but the Rupiah often faces pressure from inflation and capital outflows. Despite this, Indonesia’s growing economy and government efforts to control inflation help support the Rupiah’s value.

     

    Pakistani Rupee (PKR)

    pakistani-rupee

    Source: Wikipedia

    The Pakistani Rupee faces difficulties because of elevated inflation rates and political turmoil and increasing debt levels and substantial import dependence. The currency value has decreased because of these multiple factors.

    USD/PKR Rate Comparison (26 September 2025)

    1 PKR = 0.0035 USD

    1 USD = 285.7 PKR

    The State Bank of Pakistan has attempted to stabilize the Rupee through interest rate increases and import control measures. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) provided support which stopped the economy from experiencing a complete breakdown. The Rupee continues to experience instability because of ongoing economic problems.

     

    Sri Lankan Rupee (LKR)

    The Rupee remains weak amid economic crisis, though stabilization efforts continue.

    sri-lankan-rupee-lkr

    Source: Wikipedia

    USD/LKR Rate Comparison (26 September 2025)

    1 LKR = 0.0033 USD

    1 USD = 303 LKR

    The Central Bank of Sri Lanka has implemented measures to fight inflation and stabilize the Rupee through IMF financial assistance. The implemented measures have established some stability yet multiple problems continue to exist.

    The weak Rupee value against imports leads to higher prices for essential goods which affects the standard of living for Sri Lanka's population.

     

    Uzbekistani Som (UZS)

    uzbekistani-som

    Source: Wikipedia

    Uzbekistani Som fluctuates moderately but rises steadily due to economic reforms and export growth.

    USD/UZS Rate Comparison (26 September 2025)

    1 UZS = 0.00009 USD

    1 USD = 11,070 UZS

    The Uzbekistani Som fluctuated moderately in 2025 due to commodity prices and regional factors. The currency value depends on Uzbekistan's current economic transformation which focuses on market liberalization and foreign investment attraction. The Som's value continues to rise because of stable export growth and official monetary policies that support stability.

     

    Tajikistani Somoni (TJS)

    tajikistani-somoni-tjs

    Source: Wikipedia

    Tajikistani Somoni stays stable, supported by remittances despite limited economic diversity.

    USD/TJS Rate Comparison (26 September 2025)

    1 TJS = 0.088 USD

    1 USD = 11.3 TJS

    The Somoni currency of Tajikistan shows stability because remittances drive domestic market growth and currency value stability despite regional economic difficulties.

    The National Bank of Tajikistan operates the currency to achieve price stability and maintain financial control. The country depends on remittances for stability because its economic diversification remains restricted.

     

    Bangladeshi Taka (BDT)

    Bangladeshi-Taka-BDT

    Source: Wikipedia

    Bangladeshi Taka remains stable thanks to strong exports and effective inflation control.

    USD/BDT Rate Comparison (26 September 2025)

    1 BDT = 0.0092 USD

    1 USD = 109 BDT

    The Taka currency maintains stability in 2025 because of Bangladesh's successful garment exports and consistent remittance receipts.

    The Bangladesh Bank uses monetary policy tools to fight inflation while promoting economic expansion during times of worldwide economic instability. The currency stability depends on ongoing infrastructure development and economic diversification initiatives.

     

    Afghan Afghani (AFN)

    afghan-afghani

    Source: Wikipedia

    Afghan Afghani struggles with instability due to political issues and sanctions.

    USD/AFN Rate Comparison (26 September 2025)

    1 AFN = 0.0116 USD

    1 USD = 86 AFN

    The Afghan Afghani currency faces major challenges because of political instability and international sanctions and restricted market access which will impact its stability during 2025.

    The Da Afghanistan Bank fights to maintain currency stability because of rising inflation and insufficient foreign exchange reserves. The economy depends on international support yet political instability persists as a barrier to economic growth.

     

    Why Are These Currencies Weak?

    Many of the weakest currencies in Asia have experienced depreciation because their economies face critical challenges. Here are the primary factors.

     

    High Inflation

    The rapid increase of prices for goods and services occurs when a nation prints excessive money or exceeds its income. The value of each unit of currency decreases as time passes.

    The value of the currency decreases because people require additional funds to acquire the same items.  The value of currency decreases when people lose confidence in it because they believe its worth will decline rapidly.

     

    Conflict and Political Instability

    Economic devastation occurs when war and civil disturbances and political instability affect a nation. The Syrian currency has chosen to stay away from using or storing the local currency because they have lost faith in the nation's value because ongoing combat disrupts commercial activities and damages vital structures and drives away investors. People and businesses upcoming prospects.

     

    Poor Fiscal and Monetary Policies

    The practice of governments using large budget deficits and money printing to fund their expenses results in a decline of their currency value. The combination of weak fiscal policies through excessive borrowing and uncontrolled spending with poor monetary policies through unregulated money supply growth produces inflation and currency value decline.

     

    Lack of Foreign Currency Reserves

    Foreign currency reserves of stable US dollars and other currencies serve two essential purposes for nations because they enable import payments and currency management. The central bank loses its ability to defend the local currency value when reserve levels become insufficient which results in sudden exchange rate devaluations.

     

    International Sanctions and Isolation

    The sanctions imposed on Iran restrict its international trade operations and its access to foreign financial resources. The sanctions prevent Iran from accessing foreign markets and foreign exchange which results in currency devaluation because of decreased demand for their currency and limited dollar availability.

     

    How Weak Currencies Affect Investors?

    The effects of weak currencies in Asia on investors need to be understood for making proper market entry decisions and timing and risk management strategies.

    • Lower Returns in Your Currency: Your investment returns will decrease because of exchange rate depreciation when you exchange local assets back into your home currency.

    • Increased Inflation Risk: The value of corporate profits and consumer spending decreases through high inflation rates which negatively impacts both company worth and dividend payments.

    • High Volatility: The combination of political and economic instability with currency weakness creates markets that experience unpredictable price fluctuations.

    • Capital Flight Risk: The rapid withdrawal of investor capital during periods of declining confidence leads to unexpected market value decreases in assets.

    • Limited Market Access: Investors face two major challenges when investing in these markets because economic sanctions and controls limit their access to markets and make fund repatriation difficult.

    • Dollarization: The loss of trust in local currencies leads people to adopt foreign currencies for business and everyday transactions which weakens monetary policy effectiveness and creates additional market unpredictability.

     

    Why Currency Weakness Matters in Asia in 2025?

    Currency devaluation increases import costs, causing market prices to rise and reducing consumers’ purchasing power. A weaker currency also discourages foreign investment and slows economic growth. Additionally, depreciation often leads to higher inflation, which lowers the standard of living. Understanding these impacts helps investors and policymakers make better decisions in an uncertain economic environment.

     

    Currencies Close to the Weakest Currency in Asia

    The list of weak currencies includes Asian currencies that maintain a lower value than the US dollar but show more stability than the weakest currencies.

    These currencies demonstrate unstable currency exchange rates 2025 and lower values but they do not rank among the most vulnerable currencies.

    Several Asian currencies demonstrate instability through their exchange rates but they maintain stronger positions than the weakest currencies.

    Currency

    Currency Code

    Approx. Exchange Rate (1 USD)

    Reasons

    Nepalese Rupee

    NPR

    131 NPR

    Faces inflationary pressures and limited foreign reserves.

    Bangladeshi Taka

    BDT

    109 BDT

    Growing economy but challenged by inflation and external debt.

    Afghan Afghani

    AFN

    86 AFN

    Political instability and low reserves keep pressure on the currency.

    Philippine Peso

    PHP

    57 PHP

    Relatively stable but affected by inflation and external economic factors.

     

    Outlook for Weak Currencies in Asia (2025–2030)

    The Lebanese Pound together with the Iranian Rial and Syrian Pound and Myanmar Kyat and Sri Lankan Rupee face declining value due to political instability and economic sanctions and monetary challenges.

    The Vietnamese Dong together with the Mongolian Tögrög and Indonesian Rupiah currencies will maintain their current value or experience slight appreciation because their nations experience economic expansion and implement policy reforms.

    The Pakistani Rupee and Laotian Kip and Cambodian Riel face ongoing risks of devaluation unless their governments enhance financial control and achieve political stability. Investors need to exercise caution while monitoring these countries before making investment decisions.

     

    Conclusion

    The knowledge of the weakest currency in Asia is essential for investors and traders because these currencies tend to depreciate rapidly which results in financial difficulties.

    Knowledge of weak currencies enables you to prevent financial losses while discovering suitable investment opportunities. Monitoring the global weakest currencies 2025 or currency volatility trends will enable you to make better investment decisions while protecting your financial assets.

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    Table of Contents

      FAQs

      A currency with low value compared to other currencies such as the US dollar is known as a weak currency. It requires numerous units of the weak currency to acquire only one US dollar.

      The value of currencies weakens because of inflation and political instability and poor government policies and international economic sanctions.

      A weak currency leads to higher prices for imported items which increases the general cost of living. The value of savings decreases while purchasing foreign goods and traveling abroad becomes more challenging.

      A nation that enhances its economic performance while resolving political problems and managing inflation will experience its currency value increase in the long run.

      The value of currency can decrease rapidly which makes these investments dangerous. The early investment might result in good profits when the country experiences recovery.

      The Asian region contains several weak currencies which include the Lebanese Pound together with the Iranian Rial and Syrian Pound and Vietnamese Dong.

      Itsariya Doungnet

      Itsariya Doungnet

      SEO Content Writer

      Itsariya Doungnet is an SEO content writer with expertise in both Thai and English, specializing in financial education. Itsariya blends clear communication with SEO techniques to make complex topics on investing and finance easy to understand and accessible to readers.

      Antonio Di Giacomo

      Antonio Di Giacomo

      Market Analyst

      Antonio Di Giacomo studied at the Bessières School of Accounting in Paris, France, as well as at the Instituto Tecnológico Autónomo de México (ITAM). He has experience in technical analysis of financial markets, focusing on price action and fundamental analysis. After many years in the financial markets, he now prefers to share his knowledge with future traders and explain this excellent business to them.

      This written/visual material is comprised of personal opinions and ideas and may not reflect those of the Company. The content should not be construed as containing any type of investment advice and/or a solicitation for any transactions. It does not imply an obligation to purchase investment services, nor does it guarantee or predict future performance. XS, its affiliates, agents, directors, officers or employees do not guarantee the accuracy, validity, timeliness or completeness of any information or data made available and assume no liability for any loss arising from any investment based on the same. Our platform may not offer all the products or services mentioned.

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