Czech Koruna

Czech Koruna Czechia is one of seven EU member states that don’t use the euro. Its currency is the Czech koruna (CZK). The country’s balance of trade is generally near flat. Its major exports are cars and car parts. It’s a small economy. Of the countries whose currencies we offer, Czechia’s GDP1 is larger than […]

Chinese Yuan

Chinese Yuan Over the past two decades, China has seen the most GDP growth of any of the countries whose currencies we offer. It has the second-highest GDP1 in the world. It also rivals India for the largest population but should remain second for now given its lower fertility rate. China exports technology globally. It has […]

Swiss Franc

Swiss Franc The Swiss franc (CHF) is the official currency of Switzerland (and Liechtenstein). Though located in Europe, Switzerland is not a member of the European Union (EU). The franc has a reputation as a solid currency. Switzerland has long had a stable political system. Its balance of trade (exports minus imports) has trended higher […]

Canadian Dollar

Canadian Dollar Canada is the second-largest country in the world. It produces and exports an abundance of natural resources … and cars, too. It has the third-greatest number of oil deposits2 in the world, after Venezuela and Saudi Arabia. Since 2009, its balance of trade4 has been negative (exports less than imports) more often than not. Since […]

Swedish Krona

Swedish Krona Sweden is one of seven EU member states that don’t use the euro. Its currency is the krona (SEK).   Founded in 1668, Sweden’s central bank — the Sveriges Riksbank — is the oldest of the countries we cover. It also has the third-oldest population of the countries whose currencies we offer.   […]

Singapore Dollar

Singapore Dollar The Singapore dollar (SGD) has generally been stable to strong since the early 2010s and the global financial crisis.   Singapore has a dense population and has been a steady exporter for the bulk of this century. It exports tech, energy products and medicine. Its digital infrastructure ranks fifth best in the world.   […]

Brazilian Real

Brazilian Real Brazil is a steady exporter of metals, commodities and energy. It is the fifth-largest country in the world and has the fourth-youngest population of the countries whose currencies we offer.   Since 2010, Brazil’s GDP has been weak, as the country has struggled with inflation. This weakened its currency, the Brazilian real (BRL). Brazil […]

South African Rand

South African Rand The currency of South Africa is the rand (ZAR).   South Africa is well-endowed with natural resources. It exports precious metals and base metals.   Historically, the country’s balance of trade was near neutral: Imports were approximately equal to exports. Since COVID-19, South Africa has become a net exporter.   South Africa is […]

Australian Dollar

The Australian Dollar Australia is a steady exporter of metals, energy and commodities, especially to Asia. Its balance of trade has been positive for the past five years, and its exchange rate is also linked to the demand for resources. The country has the fourth-highest GDP per capita1 of the countries in the G20. The […]