Special Drawing Rights

Overview

The SDR is an international reserve asset created by the IMF to supplement the official reserves of its member countries.

The SDR is not a currency. It is a potential claim on the freely usable currencies of IMF members. As such, SDRs can provide a country with liquidity.

A basket of currencies defines the SDR: the US dollar, Euro, Chinese Yuan, Japanese Yen, and the British Pound.

What is the SDR?

Factsheet: Special Drawing Rights (SDR)
The SDR is an international reserve asset, created by the IMF in 1969 to supplement its member countries’ official reserves. To date, a total of SDR 660.7 billion (equivalent to about US$943 billion) have been allocated. This includes the largest-ever allocation of about SDR 456 billion approved on August 2, 2021 (effective on August 23, 2021). This most recent allocation was to address the long-term global need for reserves, and help countries cope with the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. The value of the SDR is based on a basket of five currencies—the U.S. dollar, the euro, the Chinese renminbi, the Japanese yen, and the British pound sterling.
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SDR Channeling

Since the onset of the pandemic, SDR channeling (and equivalent currency amounts)  has helped many countries in need, especially those eligible for financial support from the IMF’s Poverty Reduction and Growth Trust (PRGT) and the Resilience and Sustainability Trust (RST).

Since 2020, channeling of about $56 billion is providing the PRGT with the capacity to mobilize $40 billion in interest-free loans to our poorest members through 2024. This financing helps support growth enhancing reforms in these countries. So far, these loans have benefited 57 countries and could benefit more in the years ahead.

Channeling has also supported the operations of the RST, which delivers affordable long-term financing to help vulnerable countries tackle long-term challenges including climate change. To date, 23 RST partners have channeled about $48 billion to the RST, which is expected to contribute toward meeting an estimated $29 billion in affordable financing.

What's New

Geopolitical Proximity and the Use of Global Currencies
September 6, 2024

After decades of increasing global economic integration, the world is facing a growing risk of geoeconomic fragmentation, with potentially far-reaching implications for the global economy and the international monetary system. Against this background, this paper studies how geopolitical proximity, along with other economic factors, affects the usage of five SDR currencies in cross-border transactions. Since World War II, the global currency landscape has remained relatively stable, with the U.S. dollar serving as the dominant currency. Using country-level SWIFT transaction data, our analysis confirms the importance of inertia, trade and financial linkages in shaping the currency landscape, consistent with existing studies. On geopolitical proximity, we find that closer proximity can boost the use of the euro and renminbi, notably among emerging market and developing economies, although the impact is rather muted in the full sample. The effect on RMB usage in the full sample is more pronounced during periods of heightened trade policy uncertainty. These findings suggest that in a more geoeconomically fragmented world, alternative currencies could play a greater role.

People’s Republic of China: 2024 Article IV Consultation-Press Release; Staff Report; and Statement by the Executive Director for the People’s Republic of China
August 2, 2024

The 2024 Article IV Consultation explains that China’s economy has remained resilient despite the continued weakness in the property sector, with gross domestic product (GDP) growing by 5.2 percent in 2023, and 5 percent y/y in the first half of 2024. The authorities have taken incremental policy steps to achieve these objectives, but a comprehensive and balanced policy approach is needed to manage the challenges facing the economy. GDP growth is expected to remain resilient at 5 percent in 2024 despite the continued property sector adjustment, supported by strong public investment and the ongoing recovery in private consumption. Inflation has been low in recent quarters amid considerable economic slack and is expected to pick up gradually as the output gap closes and the impact of lower commodity prices wanes. Growth is expected to slow in the medium term amid declining productivity growth and aging. The immediate priorities are to facilitate a more efficient and less costly property sector adjustment and to provide adequate macroeconomic policy support amid continued slack and elevated downside risks. Tackling the debt overhang, preventing the build-up of new risks, and fostering high-quality and sustainable growth requires comprehensive structural reforms.

Democratic Republic of the Congo: Selected Issues
July 15, 2024

This paper analyzes domestic revenue mobilization in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and offers options to strengthen it. Domestic revenue mobilization (DRM) in the DRC has improved during the Extended Credit Facility ECF program, standing at 13.7 percent over gross domestic product (GDP) in 2023, though it remains persistently low relative to peer countries. The recent improvements in revenue mobilization have been driven by stronger corporate income taxation (particularly stemming from the extractive sector). A comparison between DRC’s and peer countries’ tax structure points to significant room for boosting domestic revenues with stronger mobilization of personal income taxes, taxes on international trade and transactions and goods and services. In addition, the country’s tax potential (estimated on the basis of its structural characteristics and a stochastic frontier model) points to significant scope for improving tax-to-GDP ratio, by about 10 percentage points under more efficient tax policy and tax collection. Finally, tax administration reforms based on recommendations from the recently published the Tax Administration Diagnostic Assessment Tool report can significantly contribute to boosting DRM, with particular focus on tax-avoidance in the mining sector.

Union of the Comoros: Second Review under the Extended Credit Facility Arrangement and Request for a Waiver of Nonobservance of Performance Criterion-Press Release; Staff Report; and Statement by the Executive Director for the Union of Comoros
July 11, 2024

This paper presents Union of Comoros’ Second Review under the Extended Credit Facility (ECF) Arrangement and Request for a Waiver of Nonobservance of Performance Criterion. Performance under Comoros’s economic reform program continues to be broadly satisfactory, and the authorities remain committed to the economic policies and reforms underpinning the ECF-supported program. Reforms are beginning to bear fruit, with visible signs of macroeconomic stabilization. However, Comoros continues to face the challenges of a small, fragile island state which requires steadfast program implementation and continued support from international partners. Monetary policy has contained inflation and ensured sufficient external buffers for Comoros and the stability of the peg. Continued efforts to stabilize the financial sector, including through the restructuring of the state-owned postal bank, addressing credit quality in the banking system, and strengthening banking supervision and resolution capacities are welcome. Support from international partners continues to be important for addressing the country’s large development needs and climate-related risks.

Central African Republic: Second Review Under the Extended Credit Facility, Requests for a Waiver of Nonobservance of Continuous Performance Criterion, Augmentation of Access, and Financing Assurance Review-Press Release; Staff Report; and Statement by the Executive Director for the Central African Republic
June 28, 2024

Despite a challenging environment, the authorities have broadly shown strong commitment to the reforms proposed in the program. Challenges to fuel and electricity supply have undermined economic growth, revenue mobilization, and government liquidity. Further, volatile spending weakened budget credibility. Public debt increased rapidly last year driven by regional issuances, and the authorities have ambitious borrowing plans for 2024. Thus, boosting revenue collection—particularly from fuel imports—and strengthening spending management will be key to preserving macroeconomic stability and debt sustainability.

Panama: 2024 Article IV Consultation-Press Release; and Staff Report
June 27, 2024

GDP growth in 2023 was strong (7.3 percent), exceeding expectations for the third year in a row since the downturn in 2020. Unemployment is near pre-crisis levels while inflation has moderated. Government bond spreads increased in the second half of 2023 as markets became concerned that failure to meet the fiscal targets would lead to a loss of investment grade status. However, the overall fiscal deficit dropped from 4.0 percent of GDP in 2022 to 3.0 percent in 2023, and the Social and Fiscal Responsibility Law (SFRL) target was met. Following a Supreme Court ruling that the new contract with copper mine Minera was unconstitutional, the government ordered the closing of the mine. Banks are, on average, well capitalized and liquid, and stay broadly resilient in an adverse scenario.

Geopolitical Proximity and the Use of Global Currencies
September 6, 2024

After decades of increasing global economic integration, the world is facing a growing risk of geoeconomic fragmentation, with potentially far-reaching implications for the global economy and the international monetary system. Against this background, this paper studies how geopolitical proximity, along with other economic factors, affects the usage of five SDR currencies in cross-border transactions. Since World War II, the global currency landscape has remained relatively stable, with the U.S. dollar serving as the dominant currency. Using country-level SWIFT transaction data, our analysis confirms the importance of inertia, trade and financial linkages in shaping the currency landscape, consistent with existing studies. On geopolitical proximity, we find that closer proximity can boost the use of the euro and renminbi, notably among emerging market and developing economies, although the impact is rather muted in the full sample. The effect on RMB usage in the full sample is more pronounced during periods of heightened trade policy uncertainty. These findings suggest that in a more geoeconomically fragmented world, alternative currencies could play a greater role.

People’s Republic of China: 2024 Article IV Consultation-Press Release; Staff Report; and Statement by the Executive Director for the People’s Republic of China
August 2, 2024

The 2024 Article IV Consultation explains that China’s economy has remained resilient despite the continued weakness in the property sector, with gross domestic product (GDP) growing by 5.2 percent in 2023, and 5 percent y/y in the first half of 2024. The authorities have taken incremental policy steps to achieve these objectives, but a comprehensive and balanced policy approach is needed to manage the challenges facing the economy. GDP growth is expected to remain resilient at 5 percent in 2024 despite the continued property sector adjustment, supported by strong public investment and the ongoing recovery in private consumption. Inflation has been low in recent quarters amid considerable economic slack and is expected to pick up gradually as the output gap closes and the impact of lower commodity prices wanes. Growth is expected to slow in the medium term amid declining productivity growth and aging. The immediate priorities are to facilitate a more efficient and less costly property sector adjustment and to provide adequate macroeconomic policy support amid continued slack and elevated downside risks. Tackling the debt overhang, preventing the build-up of new risks, and fostering high-quality and sustainable growth requires comprehensive structural reforms.

Democratic Republic of the Congo: Selected Issues
July 15, 2024

This paper analyzes domestic revenue mobilization in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and offers options to strengthen it. Domestic revenue mobilization (DRM) in the DRC has improved during the Extended Credit Facility ECF program, standing at 13.7 percent over gross domestic product (GDP) in 2023, though it remains persistently low relative to peer countries. The recent improvements in revenue mobilization have been driven by stronger corporate income taxation (particularly stemming from the extractive sector). A comparison between DRC’s and peer countries’ tax structure points to significant room for boosting domestic revenues with stronger mobilization of personal income taxes, taxes on international trade and transactions and goods and services. In addition, the country’s tax potential (estimated on the basis of its structural characteristics and a stochastic frontier model) points to significant scope for improving tax-to-GDP ratio, by about 10 percentage points under more efficient tax policy and tax collection. Finally, tax administration reforms based on recommendations from the recently published the Tax Administration Diagnostic Assessment Tool report can significantly contribute to boosting DRM, with particular focus on tax-avoidance in the mining sector.

Union of the Comoros: Second Review under the Extended Credit Facility Arrangement and Request for a Waiver of Nonobservance of Performance Criterion-Press Release; Staff Report; and Statement by the Executive Director for the Union of Comoros
July 11, 2024

This paper presents Union of Comoros’ Second Review under the Extended Credit Facility (ECF) Arrangement and Request for a Waiver of Nonobservance of Performance Criterion. Performance under Comoros’s economic reform program continues to be broadly satisfactory, and the authorities remain committed to the economic policies and reforms underpinning the ECF-supported program. Reforms are beginning to bear fruit, with visible signs of macroeconomic stabilization. However, Comoros continues to face the challenges of a small, fragile island state which requires steadfast program implementation and continued support from international partners. Monetary policy has contained inflation and ensured sufficient external buffers for Comoros and the stability of the peg. Continued efforts to stabilize the financial sector, including through the restructuring of the state-owned postal bank, addressing credit quality in the banking system, and strengthening banking supervision and resolution capacities are welcome. Support from international partners continues to be important for addressing the country’s large development needs and climate-related risks.

Central African Republic: Second Review Under the Extended Credit Facility, Requests for a Waiver of Nonobservance of Continuous Performance Criterion, Augmentation of Access, and Financing Assurance Review-Press Release; Staff Report; and Statement by the Executive Director for the Central African Republic
June 28, 2024

Despite a challenging environment, the authorities have broadly shown strong commitment to the reforms proposed in the program. Challenges to fuel and electricity supply have undermined economic growth, revenue mobilization, and government liquidity. Further, volatile spending weakened budget credibility. Public debt increased rapidly last year driven by regional issuances, and the authorities have ambitious borrowing plans for 2024. Thus, boosting revenue collection—particularly from fuel imports—and strengthening spending management will be key to preserving macroeconomic stability and debt sustainability.

Panama: 2024 Article IV Consultation-Press Release; and Staff Report
June 27, 2024

GDP growth in 2023 was strong (7.3 percent), exceeding expectations for the third year in a row since the downturn in 2020. Unemployment is near pre-crisis levels while inflation has moderated. Government bond spreads increased in the second half of 2023 as markets became concerned that failure to meet the fiscal targets would lead to a loss of investment grade status. However, the overall fiscal deficit dropped from 4.0 percent of GDP in 2022 to 3.0 percent in 2023, and the Social and Fiscal Responsibility Law (SFRL) target was met. Following a Supreme Court ruling that the new contract with copper mine Minera was unconstitutional, the government ordered the closing of the mine. Banks are, on average, well capitalized and liquid, and stay broadly resilient in an adverse scenario.

Tracker on the Use of Allocated SDRs

7 Things You Need to Know about the SDR

7 Things you need to know about the SDR
Let’s start from the beginning – What is an SDR? Is it money? Special Drawing Rights (SDRs) are an asset, though not money in the classic sense because they can’t be used to buy things. The value of an SDR is based on a basket of the world’s five leading currencies – the US dollar, euro, yuan, yen and the UK pound. The SDR is an accounting unit for IMF transactions with member countries – and a stable asset in countries’ international reserves.
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IMF

Q&A

Q. How many SDRs have been allocated so far?
The Fund has allocated a total of SDR 660.7 billion (equivalent to about US$935.7 billion), including four general allocations and a one-time special allocation. Specifically:
  • SDR 9.3 billion was allocated in yearly installments in 1970–72.
  • SDR 12.1 billion was allocated in yearly installments in 1979–81.
  • SDR 161.2 billion was allocated on August 28, 2009
  • A special one-time allocation of SDR 21.5 billion took effect on September 9, 2009 to correct for the fact that members that had joined the IMF after 1981 had never received an allocation (the Fourth Amendment special allocation)
  • SDR 456.5 billion (equivalent to about US$650 billion) was allocated on August 23, 2021, by far the largest allocation to date
  • In addition, new members to the Fund receive an SDR allocation upon their participation in the SDR Department
    Q&A