100 trillion dinars are circulating outside banks, and Iraqis continue to prefer cash.
100 trillion dinars are circulating outside banks, and Iraqis continue to prefer cash.
2026-11-04
Shafaq News – Baghdad
Indicators from the Central Bank of Iraq showed a continued rise in the volume of currency circulating outside the banking system, reaching about 100.183 trillion dinars at the end of August 2026, despite recording a decline compared to the previous month.
According to data seen by Shafaq News Agency, the currency outside banks decreased from 100.792 trillion dinars at the end of last July to 100.183 trillion dinars at the end of August, a decrease of 609 billion dinars.
The data indicated that the total currency issued amounted to 107.998 trillion dinars at the end of August, while the currency held by banks amounted to 7.815 trillion dinars, with funds circulating outside banks constituting about 92.8% of the total currency issued.
On an annual basis, currency outside banks increased from 92.560 trillion dinars at the end of 2025 to 100.183 trillion dinars in August 2026, an increase of 7.623 trillion dinars.
These indicators highlight the continued dominance of cash outside the banking system in Iraq, which accounts for the largest share of the currency issued, reflecting the continued heavy reliance on cash transactions outside banks.
shafaq.com
