Advertisement
Advertisement


Poorer countries in dire situations

On the other end of the spectrum, countries with the smallest cash and gold reserves include Burundi, Samoa, and many other island-states. Dominica has the least amount of reserves, valued at $190.8 million. Island-states and other poorer countries are disproportionately affected by climate change and health emergencies, with little to no financial capability to address those issues.

Advertisement


Countries that aren’t in the most dire situations could still be in trouble when the next crisis occurs. Bolivia, for example, has barely enough cash reserves to cover three months’ worth of imports, prompting its central bank to sell US dollars to individuals to bring up its exchange rate.

Advertisement

Pakistan’s reserves, meanwhile, have fallen to an eight-year low due to the pandemic, rising inflation, and a weakened rupee. Pakistan also suffered from catastrophic floods that amounted to more than $30 billion of losses in the country in 2022.

Sri Lanka and Lebanon are other countries that have been severely impacted by economic catastrophes, including unstable food systems and effects of the war in Ukraine.

📬 Sign up for the Daily Brief

Our free, fast, and fun briefing on the global economy, delivered every weekday morning.