Currency is an essential part of every nation’s economic identity. It serves as the recognized medium of exchange for goods and services within a particular country or region. Every independent country either issues its own national currency or adopts a foreign currency or a shared monetary system. Understanding the currencies used around the world is not only important for international trade and travel, but it also helps students, researchers, and business owners stay informed about global economics. In 2025, there are over 190 recognized countries in the world, and each has a unique currency or monetary system. Some countries share a common currency like the Euro or the U.S. dollar, while others maintain their own. This comprehensive guide provides an updated list of countries and their currencies across continents, including their official ISO currency codes.
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- Meaning of Currency
- Importance of National Currency
- Overview of Currency Systems
- List of Countries and Their Currencies by Continent
- Currency Unions and Shared Currencies
- The Role of the U.S. Dollar and the Euro
- ISO Currency Codes Explained
- Countries Without Their Own Currency
- Conclusion
1. Meaning of Currency
A currency is the officially recognized money used in a country to facilitate trade and economic activities. It can exist in physical form such as coins and banknotes or in digital form such as electronic payments and central bank digital currencies. Currencies are usually controlled by a central bank or monetary authority to maintain stability and trust in the financial system.
Currencies can be national (used by one country) or shared (used by multiple countries or regions). They are typically expressed with symbols (like $, €, £, ₦) and international codes (like USD, EUR, GBP, NGN).
2. Importance of National Currency
The national currency plays several critical roles in the economy of a country:
- Medium of exchange: It allows people to buy and sell goods and services conveniently.
- Store of value: Money holds its value over time, allowing savings and investment.
- Unit of account: Prices and contracts are measured and recorded in currency.
- Symbol of sovereignty: National currencies reflect a country’s independence and identity.
- Economic control: Governments and central banks use monetary policy to manage inflation, interest rates, and economic growth.
3. Overview of Currency Systems
Globally, currency systems differ from country to country. Some nations have independent floating currencies, which means their value is determined by the foreign exchange market. Others have pegged currencies, fixed against another major currency like the U.S. dollar. A few belong to currency unions, sharing a common currency managed by a supranational authority, such as the Eurozone.
In addition, some countries use digital payment systems as an extension of their national currency, and central banks are gradually adopting Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs).
4. List of Countries and Their Currencies by Continent
A. Africa
| Country | Currency Name | Currency Code |
|---|---|---|
| Nigeria | Naira | NGN |
| South Africa | Rand | ZAR |
| Egypt | Egyptian Pound | EGP |
| Kenya | Kenyan Shilling | KES |
| Ghana | Cedi | GHS |
| Algeria | Algerian Dinar | DZD |
| Morocco | Moroccan Dirham | MAD |
| Ethiopia | Ethiopian Birr | ETB |
| Tanzania | Tanzanian Shilling | TZS |
| Uganda | Ugandan Shilling | UGX |
| Angola | Kwanza | AOA |
| Zimbabwe | Zimbabwean Dollar | ZWL |
| Cameroon | Central African CFA Franc | XAF |
| Senegal | West African CFA Franc | XOF |
| Côte d’Ivoire | West African CFA Franc | XOF |
| Togo | West African CFA Franc | XOF |
| Mali | West African CFA Franc | XOF |
| Benin | West African CFA Franc | XOF |
| Niger | West African CFA Franc | XOF |
| Chad | Central African CFA Franc | XAF |
| Congo | Central African CFA Franc | XAF |
| Gabon | Central African CFA Franc | XAF |
| Namibia | Namibian Dollar | NAD |
| Botswana | Pula | BWP |
| Sudan | Sudanese Pound | SDG |
| Libya | Libyan Dinar | LYD |
| Tunisia | Tunisian Dinar | TND |
| Sierra Leone | Leone | SLL |
| Liberia | Liberian Dollar | LRD |
| Malawi | Malawian Kwacha | MWK |
| Zambia | Zambian Kwacha | ZMW |
| Mozambique | Metical | MZN |
| Somalia | Somali Shilling | SOS |
| Rwanda | Rwandan Franc | RWF |
| Burundi | Burundian Franc | BIF |
| Madagascar | Ariary | MGA |
| Mauritius | Mauritian Rupee | MUR |
| Seychelles | Seychellois Rupee | SCR |
B. Asia
| Country | Currency Name | Currency Code |
|---|---|---|
| China | Yuan Renminbi | CNY |
| Japan | Yen | JPY |
| India | Indian Rupee | INR |
| Indonesia | Rupiah | IDR |
| Saudi Arabia | Riyal | SAR |
| Iran | Iranian Rial | IRR |
| Iraq | Iraqi Dinar | IQD |
| Pakistan | Pakistani Rupee | PKR |
| Philippines | Philippine Peso | PHP |
| South Korea | Won | KRW |
| North Korea | Won | KPW |
| Thailand | Baht | THB |
| Vietnam | Dong | VND |
| Malaysia | Ringgit | MYR |
| Singapore | Singapore Dollar | SGD |
| Turkey | Turkish Lira | TRY |
| Israel | Israeli Shekel | ILS |
| Jordan | Jordanian Dinar | JOD |
| Lebanon | Lebanese Pound | LBP |
| Afghanistan | Afghani | AFN |
| Bangladesh | Taka | BDT |
| Nepal | Nepalese Rupee | NPR |
| Sri Lanka | Sri Lankan Rupee | LKR |
| Myanmar | Kyat | MMK |
| Cambodia | Riel | KHR |
| Laos | Kip | LAK |
| Kazakhstan | Tenge | KZT |
| Uzbekistan | Som | UZS |
| Tajikistan | Somoni | TJS |
| Qatar | Qatari Riyal | QAR |
| Kuwait | Kuwaiti Dinar | KWD |
| United Arab Emirates | Dirham | AED |
| Bahrain | Bahraini Dinar | BHD |
| Oman | Omani Rial | OMR |
C. Europe
| Country | Currency Name | Currency Code |
|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom | Pound Sterling | GBP |
| France | Euro | EUR |
| Germany | Euro | EUR |
| Italy | Euro | EUR |
| Spain | Euro | EUR |
| Portugal | Euro | EUR |
| Netherlands | Euro | EUR |
| Belgium | Euro | EUR |
| Greece | Euro | EUR |
| Poland | Zloty | PLN |
| Switzerland | Swiss Franc | CHF |
| Sweden | Swedish Krona | SEK |
| Norway | Norwegian Krone | NOK |
| Denmark | Danish Krone | DKK |
| Hungary | Forint | HUF |
| Czech Republic | Czech Koruna | CZK |
| Romania | Romanian Leu | RON |
| Bulgaria | Bulgarian Lev | BGN |
| Croatia | Euro | EUR |
| Ireland | Euro | EUR |
| Finland | Euro | EUR |
| Austria | Euro | EUR |
| Iceland | Icelandic Krona | ISK |
| Russia | Russian Ruble | RUB |
| Ukraine | Hryvnia | UAH |
| Serbia | Serbian Dinar | RSD |
| Albania | Lek | ALL |
| North Macedonia | Denar | MKD |
D. North America
| Country | Currency Name | Currency Code |
|---|---|---|
| United States | U.S. Dollar | USD |
| Canada | Canadian Dollar | CAD |
| Mexico | Mexican Peso | MXN |
| Cuba | Cuban Peso | CUP |
| Jamaica | Jamaican Dollar | JMD |
| Dominican Republic | Dominican Peso | DOP |
| Haiti | Gourde | HTG |
| Bahamas | Bahamian Dollar | BSD |
| Barbados | Barbadian Dollar | BBD |
| Trinidad and Tobago | Dollar | TTD |
| Belize | Belize Dollar | BZD |
| Guatemala | Quetzal | GTQ |
| Honduras | Lempira | HNL |
| Nicaragua | Córdoba | NIO |
| Costa Rica | Colón | CRC |
| Panama | Balboa and U.S. Dollar | PAB/USD |
E. South America
| Country | Currency Name | Currency Code |
|---|---|---|
| Brazil | Real | BRL |
| Argentina | Peso | ARS |
| Chile | Peso | CLP |
| Peru | Sol | PEN |
| Colombia | Peso | COP |
| Venezuela | Bolívar Soberano | VES |
| Uruguay | Peso | UYU |
| Paraguay | Guaraní | PYG |
| Bolivia | Boliviano | BOB |
| Ecuador | U.S. Dollar | USD |
| Guyana | Guyanese Dollar | GYD |
| Suriname | Surinamese Dollar | SRD |
F. Oceania
| Country | Currency Name | Currency Code |
|---|---|---|
| Australia | Australian Dollar | AUD |
| New Zealand | New Zealand Dollar | NZD |
| Fiji | Fiji Dollar | FJD |
| Papua New Guinea | Kina | PGK |
| Samoa | Tala | WST |
| Tonga | Paʻanga | TOP |
| Solomon Islands | Solomon Islands Dollar | SBD |
| Vanuatu | Vatu | VUV |
| Kiribati | Australian Dollar | AUD |
| Tuvalu | Australian Dollar | AUD |
| Nauru | Australian Dollar | AUD |
5. Currency Unions and Shared Currencies
Several countries do not issue their own currency but use a shared or foreign currency. For example:
- The Eurozone countries use the Euro (EUR), managed by the European Central Bank.
- Many African countries use the West African CFA Franc (XOF) or the Central African CFA Franc (XAF), managed by regional central banks.
- Ecuador and some Pacific island nations use the U.S. dollar (USD) as their official currency.
This arrangement often provides stability but may limit monetary policy independence.
6. The Role of the U.S. Dollar and the Euro
The U.S. Dollar (USD) and the Euro (EUR) are the most widely used and traded currencies in the world. The U.S. dollar is not only the national currency of the United States but also a global reserve currency used in international transactions and foreign exchange reserves.
The Euro is the second most traded currency and is the official currency of 20 European countries. Both currencies have a strong influence on global trade, finance, and investment.
7. ISO Currency Codes Explained
Every currency has a three-letter ISO code, standardized internationally to simplify financial transactions.
- The first two letters represent the country.
- The third letter represents the currency name.
For example:
- USD = United States Dollar
- NGN = Nigerian Naira
- JPY = Japanese Yen
- EUR = Euro
ISO codes make global banking, trading, and foreign exchange more efficient and consistent.
8. Countries Without Their Own Currency
Some countries do not issue their own currency and instead use the currency of another country or a shared regional currency. Examples include:
- Ecuador and Panama using the U.S. dollar.
- Kosovo and Montenegro using the Euro.
- Nauru, Tuvalu, and Kiribati using the Australian Dollar.
This strategy often ensures stability but can limit national control over monetary policy.
9. Conclusion – List of Countries and Their Currencies
Currency remains a fundamental pillar of national identity and global economic activity. Every country uses currency as a tool to facilitate trade, measure value, and manage its economic policies. While many countries maintain their own unique currencies, some have adopted shared or foreign currencies to benefit from economic stability.
Knowing the list of countries and their currencies is important for travelers, researchers, economists, students, and businesses. This knowledge builds a clearer understanding of how the global economy functions in an interconnected world.
SEE ALSO: List of Countries in the world and their Capitals in Alphabetical order
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) – List of Countries and Their Currencies
1. How many currencies are there in the world today?
There are about 180 recognized national currencies currently in use around the world, though not every country has its own.
2. Which currency is the strongest in the world?
The Kuwaiti Dinar (KWD) is widely regarded as the strongest currency in terms of exchange rate against the U.S. dollar.
3. Which currency is the most traded globally?
The U.S. Dollar (USD) remains the most traded currency worldwide, followed by the Euro (EUR) and the Japanese Yen (JPY).
4. What currency do most African countries use?
Many African countries use their national currencies, but some share the West African CFA Franc (XOF) or Central African CFA Franc (XAF).
5. What is the most common currency in Europe?
The Euro (EUR) is the most common currency in Europe, used by 20 countries in the Eurozone.
6. Why do some countries use another country’s currency?
Some countries adopt foreign currencies to maintain economic stability, control inflation, or because they lack the infrastructure to manage their own currency.
7. Which countries use the U.S. dollar as their official currency?
Countries such as Ecuador, El Salvador, Panama, and Zimbabwe use the U.S. dollar officially.
8. What is the currency code for Nigeria?
The currency code for Nigeria is NGN (Naira).
9. Which continent uses the Euro the most?
Europe uses the Euro the most, with the majority of its countries in the Eurozone.
10. What is the purpose of ISO currency codes?
ISO currency codes provide a standardized way to identify currencies in global financial systems, making transactions and trade more efficient.