#1 – Kuwaiti Dinar ($3.32)
The most expensive currency in the world is Kuwaiti DinarThe leading money in the world is Kuwaiti Dinar
Currency code – KWD
Kuwaiti Dinar rates:
1 KWD = 3.32 USD (Kuwaiti Dinar to US Dollar)
1 KWD = 2.81 EUR (Kuwaiti Dinar to Euro)
Today, Kuwaiti Dinar is the highest-valued currency in the world, estimating at $3.32 per Dinar. Such a high value is explained by Kuwait's stable economy and significant oil exports into the global market, producing almost 95% of the country's revenue.
According to the estimates, about 9% of the global oil reserves are located on its territory. Petroleum production here is the easiest and, therefore, the cheapest among other countries.
Besides, Kuwait is a tax-free country with a meager unemployment rate.
All of this makes it rank 8th in the list of countries with the highest GDP per capita.
Kuwaiti Dinar was first introduced in 1960 after gaining its independence from the United Kingdom and was initially equivalent to one Pound Sterling.
Since 2003 the currency was pegged to the US Dollar, but in 2007 the government decided to peg the Kuwaiti Dinar to the weighted currency basket.
#2 – Bahraini Dinar ($2.66)
second most expensive currency Bahrain Dinarsecond most expensive currency Bahrain Dinar
Currency code – BHD
Bahraini Dinar rates:
1 BHD = 2.66 USD (Bahraini Dinar to US Dollar)
1 BHD = 2.25 EUR (Bahraini Dinar to Euro)
The world's second most valuable currency is the Bahraini Dinar, with a conversion rate of $2.66 per one Dinar. It is pegged to the US Dollar, and its exchange rate against the USD has remained stable since 1987.
Bahrain is a Persian Gulf island state with a population of just over 1 million people. As with Kuwait, its most significant source of income is the global gas and petroleum export.
Before Bahrain became one of the leading oil-producing countries, the primary profit-gaining industry here was pearl mining. However, in the 1930th the production ceased due to pearl cultivation in Japan.
Interestingly, Saudi Riyal is officially a legal tender in Bahrain next to Dinar. Their exchange rate is fixed as well and equals 1 Dinar = 10 Riyals.
#3 – Omani Rial ($2.60)
third most expensive currency in the world Omani Rialthird most expensive currency in the world Omani Rial
Currency code – OMR
Omani Rial rates:
1 OMR = 2.60 USD (Omani Rial to US Dollar)
1 OMR = 2.20 EUR (Omani Rial to Euro)
The Omani Rial сloses the top three of most expensive currencies in the world with the conversion rate of 2.60 USD to one Rial – nearly double the value of the British Pound.
This currency has been pegged to the US Dollar since 1973.
Remarkably, Dinar's purchasing power is so high that the government had to issue 1/4 and 1/2 Rial banknotes. In the picture above, you can see a 1/2 Rial (Half Rial) note.
Like other countries on the Arabian Peninsula, Oman has a developed economy and a high quality of life thanks to oil production.
But due to reserves coming to an end, the Omani government decided to diversify the income resources by developing gas production, metallurgy, and tourism.
#4 – Jordanian Dinar ($1.41)
top expensive currencies jordanian dinartop expensive currencies jordanian dinar
Currency code – JOD
Jordanian Dinar rates:
1 JOD = 1.41 USD (Jordanian Dinar to US Dollar)
1 JOD = 1.20 EUR (Jordanian Dinar to Euro)
The Jordanian Dinar was initially pegged to the US Dollar at a higher value. For the last 20 years, the country has managed to maintain this peg. So today, the Dinar has 4th place on the list of the most expensive currencies.
Nevertheless, it is a bit hard to explain the high value of the Jordanian Dinar.
The country is not economically developed, and it lacks essential resources, such as oil. Jordan has significant external debt, so it is highly dependent on neighboring countries and the IMF.
#5 – British Pound Sterling ($1.38)
top 5 currencies British Poundtop 5 currencies British Pound
Currency code – GBP
British Pound Sterling rates:
1 GBP = 1.38 USD (British Pound Sterling to US Dollar)
1 GBP = 1.17 EUR (British Pound Sterling to Euro)
Most people consider that British Pound holds the highest monetary value among other currencies. But it is not the case. Its rate against the US dollar puts GBP only in the 5th position among the highest currencies.
Though, it is still the oldest in circulation and one of the most traded currencies in the world. The GBP/USD pair, commonly known as "the cable," is the third most sold in the forex market.
Pound Sterling is the national currency of England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland and the parallel currency of the crown dependencies: Guernsey, Jersey, and the Isle of Man.
British colonies like Falkland Islands, Gibraltar, Saint Helena, etc., issue their banknotes valued as 1 per 1. But they differ visually from notes issued by the Bank of England.
Amusingly, native Britons don't always want to accept "other" Pounds as a means of payment.
#6 – Cayman Islands Dollar ($1.22)
Cayman Islands DollarCayman Islands Dollar
Currency code – KYD
Cayman Islands Dollar rates:
1 KYD = 1.22 USD (Cayman Islands Dollar to US Dollar)
1 KYD = 1.03 EUR (Cayman Islands Dollar to Euro)
The Cayman Islands Dollar is the only Caribbean currency on the list of the highest ones. The reason is that this autonomous British territory is one of the world's best tax havens and one of the five largest offshore financial centers.
The country provides licenses for hundreds of banks, hedge funds, and insurance companies.
#7 – European Euro ($1.18)
strong euro currency strong euro currency
Currency Code – EUR
European Euro rate:
1 EUR = 1.18 USD (European Euro to US Dollar)
The Euro has strengthened over the years, which allowed it to hold a firm place in the list of the most influential world currencies.
Partially, its value is explained by the fact that it is the official currency for 19 European countries, among which you will find several economically developed ones.
Today, EUR is the second reserve currency enveloping 25% of all world savings (62.3% USD).
About 25 countries pegged their currencies to Euro at a fixed rate.
Euro is one of the most widely used currencies in the world. It is the second most traded currency on the forex market after the US Dollar.
#8 – Swiss Franc ($1.10)
stable Swiss franc stable Swiss franc
Currency code – CHF
Swiss Franc rates:
1 CHF = 1.10 USD (Swiss Franc to US Dollar)
1 CHF = 0.93 EUR (Swiss Franc to Euro)
The Swiss Franc is one of the most robust and most stable currencies worldwide. It is the sixth most traded currency and the only one that is unaffected by inflation.
However, it is not a surprise considering that Switzerland is one of the wealthiest countries in the world and belongs to the most stable ones.
Switzerland has a strict monetary policy and low debt levels, making Franc a safe bet for investors while trading or storing currency.
By the way, Switzerland has a negative interest rate on deposits. It means the owner has to pay extra for keeping his wealth in the bank. This decision by the Swiss Central Bank (SNB) contained the rapid strengthening of the Franc after the abolition of the fixed rate from the Euro.
#9 – US Dollar
US dollars Dollar
Currency code – USD
US Dollar rate:
1 USD = 0.85 EUR (US Dollar to Euro)
Today, the US Dollar is the most traded currency in the forex market. Due to the US economic leadership, it gained the primary "World Reserve Currency." It has the highest demand and is involved in more than 85% of daily forex trades.
All of this makes the US Dollar one of the costliest world currencies.
As of December 2020, there were about 2.10 trillion USD in circulation. 70% of banknotes, however, are circulating outside the US.
Interestingly, there were times when along with traditional nominations, notes with the face value of $1,000, $5,000, $10,000, and $100,000 were issued.
#10 – Canadian Dollar ($0.79)
Canadian dollar Canadian dollar
Currency code – CAD
Canadian Dollar rates:
1 CAD = 0.79 USD (Canadian Dollar to US Dollar)
1 CAD = 0.67 EUR (Canadian Dollar to Euro)
The Canadian Dollar closes the top ten highest currencies ranking. It is the sixth-largest reserve currency and the sixth most traded one. Around 5% of daily forex trades involve CAD.
Canada has the second-largest uranium supply in the world and large reserves of crude oil (13.21%), second to Saudi Arabia and Venezuela.
Therefore, the Canadian Dollar depends on global oil price fluctuations. And as the major importer of Canadian oil is the neighboring US, CAD also correlates to USD value rise-and-falls.
The Canadian Dollar is often called the "loonie" in honor of the bird depicted on the one-dollar coin.
You must be logged in to post a comment.