Trinidad and Tobago Dollar

Overview

Economy

• Trinidad and Tobago is a member of CARICOM, OAS, Commonwealth, ACS.
• Main industries include: Petroleum, Chemicals, Tourism, Food processing, Cement, Beverage, Cotton textiles.
• Trinidad and Tobago is part of the World Trade Organization.
• Imports are machinery, transportation equipment, manufactured goods, food, live animals.
• Major exports include petroleum, chemicals, steel products, fertilizer, sugar, cocoa, coffee, citrus, flowers.
• GDP: $28.9 billion (2023 est.).
• GDP per capita: $19,870 (2023 est.).
• Unemployment rate: 4.1% (2017 est.).
• Inflation rate: 4.6% (2023 est.).
• Main trading partners: United States, Colombia, Guyana, China, Brazil, Gabon.
• Trade agreements: CARICOM Single Market, Various bilateral agreements.

History

• Previous currencies used: British West Indies dollar, British pound.
• The Trinidad and Tobago dollar was introduced in 1964, replacing the British West Indies dollar. It was initially pegged to the British pound, then to the US dollar.
• 1964: TTD introduced, replacing BWI dollar
• 1976: Central Bank established
• 1993: Floating exchange rate adopted
• 2008: Global financial crisis impact
• 2014-2016: Oil price collapse effects
• Exchange rate peg: GBP (1964-1976).
• Exchange rate peg: USD (1976-1993).
• Exchange rate peg: Free floating (1993-present).

General Information

• ISO 4217 Code: TTD
• Symbols: TTD/$
• Currency Subunits: 100 cents
• Central Bank: Central Bank of Trinidad and Tobago
• Monetary Policy: Managed floating exchange rate with inflation targeting. Focus on price stability while supporting the energy-dependent economy.
• Bills: 1 TTD, 5 TTD, 10 TTD, 20 TTD, 50 TTD, 100 TTD
• Coins: 1 cent, 5 cents, 10 cents, 25 cents, 50 cents, 1 dollar
• USD Exchange Rate: Variable (approximately 6.8 TTD per USD)
• Pegged To: None (Floating)
• Capital: Port of Spain
• Population: 1,405,646 (2023 est.)
• Area: 5,128 km²
• Languages: English (official), Caribbean Hindustani, French, Spanish, Chinese
• Time Zones: UTC-4 (Atlantic Standard Time)
• Government Type: Parliamentary republic
• Head of Government: President (head of state), Prime Minister (head of government)
• Independence: August 31, 1962 (from United Kingdom)
• Ethnic Groups: East Indian 35.4%, African 34.2%, Mixed 15.3%, Other 1.3%, Unspecified 13.8%
• Religions: Protestant 32.1%, Roman Catholic 21.6%, Hindu 18.2%, Muslim 5%, Jehovah's Witnesses 1.5%, Other 8.4%, None 2.2%, Unspecified 11.1%
• Literacy Rate: 99% (2015 est.)
• Transport: Piarco International Airport, modern road network, major ports, ferry services
• Communications: Advanced telecommunications, 77% internet penetration, comprehensive mobile coverage
• Energy: Natural gas 99%, Oil 1%, major LNG exporter
• Countries Using This Currency: Trinidad and Tobago
• Data Sources: Central Bank: Central Bank of Trinidad and Tobago (central-bank.org.tt), Economic Data: Central Statistical Office Trinidad and Tobago, World Bank, IMF, Trade Data: Trinidad and Tobago Customs and Excise Division, Demographic Data: Central Statistical Office Trinidad and Tobago, Geographic Data: Trinidad and Tobago Meteorological Service, Historical Data: Central Bank archives
• Last Updated: 2025