List of countries that use plastic currency notes instead of paper money
Polymer banknotes are becoming increasingly popular worldwide for their durability and security. While about 60 countries use them in some form, only a smaller group has fully switched.
Plastic currency notes, also known as polymer banknotes, are now used fully or partly by around 60 countries across the world. These notes are made from a durable plastic material instead of traditional paper, making them harder to counterfeit, longer-lasting and more resistant to water and dirt. While many countries have adopted polymer notes for select denominations, only a smaller group has completely switched to them.
Australia led the way by becoming the first country to introduce polymer banknotes, setting the trend for many others to follow.
COUNTRIES THAT HAVE FULLY SWITCHED TO POLYMER BANKNOTES
Several countries now issue all or nearly all of their circulating banknotes in polymer. These include:
- Australia
- Canada
- New Zealand
- Romania
- Vietnam
- Brunei
- Papua New Guinea
- Maldives
- Mauritania
- Nicaragua
- Vanuatu
- Eastern Caribbean states
- United Kingdom
- Barbados
Oman also joined this group in 2026 after introducing a polymer 1-rial banknote.
COUNTRIES THAT USE POLYMER NOTES PARTLY
Many countries have introduced polymer banknotes only for certain denominations while continuing to use paper notes for others. These include:
- Singapore
- Malaysia
- Thailand
- Indonesia
- Philippines
- China
- Hong Kong
- India
- Bangladesh
- Sri Lanka
- Nepal
- Nigeria
- South Africa
- Mexico
- Brazil
- Chile
- United Arab Emirates
- Saudi Arabia
- Kuwait
- Israel
Several other countries have also issued polymer notes for limited circulation or commemorative purposes.
WHAT IS INDIA'S PLAN?
India has not fully switched to polymer currency. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) previously conducted pilot tests with Rs 10 polymer notes and is now preparing another trial that is expected to begin with Rs 10 and Rs 20 notes. No nationwide rollout has been announced yet.
ALSO READ: India may get Rs 10 and 20 plastic currency notes from next year. Here's why
WHY ARE POLYMER BANKNOTES GAINING POPULARITY?
Polymer banknotes last much longer than paper notes and are more difficult to forge because they include advanced security features such as transparent windows, specialised inks and intricate designs. They are also more resistant to moisture, dirt and everyday wear, reducing replacement costs over time.
Plastic currency notes, also known as polymer banknotes, are now used fully or partly by around 60 countries across the world. These notes are made from a durable plastic material instead of traditional paper, making them harder to counterfeit, longer-lasting and more resistant to water and dirt. While many countries have adopted polymer notes for select denominations, only a smaller group has completely switched to them.
Australia led the way by becoming the first country to introduce polymer banknotes, setting the trend for many others to follow.
COUNTRIES THAT HAVE FULLY SWITCHED TO POLYMER BANKNOTES
Several countries now issue all or nearly all of their circulating banknotes in polymer. These include:
- Australia
- Canada
- New Zealand
- Romania
- Vietnam
- Brunei
- Papua New Guinea
- Maldives
- Mauritania
- Nicaragua
- Vanuatu
- Eastern Caribbean states
- United Kingdom
- Barbados
Oman also joined this group in 2026 after introducing a polymer 1-rial banknote.
COUNTRIES THAT USE POLYMER NOTES PARTLY
Many countries have introduced polymer banknotes only for certain denominations while continuing to use paper notes for others. These include:
- Singapore
- Malaysia
- Thailand
- Indonesia
- Philippines
- China
- Hong Kong
- India
- Bangladesh
- Sri Lanka
- Nepal
- Nigeria
- South Africa
- Mexico
- Brazil
- Chile
- United Arab Emirates
- Saudi Arabia
- Kuwait
- Israel
Several other countries have also issued polymer notes for limited circulation or commemorative purposes.
WHAT IS INDIA'S PLAN?
India has not fully switched to polymer currency. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) previously conducted pilot tests with Rs 10 polymer notes and is now preparing another trial that is expected to begin with Rs 10 and Rs 20 notes. No nationwide rollout has been announced yet.
ALSO READ: India may get Rs 10 and 20 plastic currency notes from next year. Here's why
WHY ARE POLYMER BANKNOTES GAINING POPULARITY?
Polymer banknotes last much longer than paper notes and are more difficult to forge because they include advanced security features such as transparent windows, specialised inks and intricate designs. They are also more resistant to moisture, dirt and everyday wear, reducing replacement costs over time.
Plastic currency notes, also known as polymer banknotes, are now used fully or partly by around 60 countries across the world. These notes are made from a durable plastic material instead of traditional paper, making them harder to counterfeit, longer-lasting and more resistant to water and dirt. While many countries have adopted polymer notes for select denominations, only a smaller group has completely switched to them.
Australia led the way by becoming the first country to introduce polymer banknotes, setting the trend for many others to follow.
COUNTRIES THAT HAVE FULLY SWITCHED TO POLYMER BANKNOTES
Several countries now issue all or nearly all of their circulating banknotes in polymer. These include:
- Australia
- Canada
- New Zealand
- Romania
- Vietnam
- Brunei
- Papua New Guinea
- Maldives
- Mauritania
- Nicaragua
- Vanuatu
- Eastern Caribbean states
- United Kingdom
- Barbados
Oman also joined this group in 2026 after introducing a polymer 1-rial banknote.
COUNTRIES THAT USE POLYMER NOTES PARTLY
Many countries have introduced polymer banknotes only for certain denominations while continuing to use paper notes for others. These include:
- Singapore
- Malaysia
- Thailand
- Indonesia
- Philippines
- China
- Hong Kong
- India
- Bangladesh
- Sri Lanka
- Nepal
- Nigeria
- South Africa
- Mexico
- Brazil
- Chile
- United Arab Emirates
- Saudi Arabia
- Kuwait
- Israel
Several other countries have also issued polymer notes for limited circulation or commemorative purposes.
WHAT IS INDIA'S PLAN?
India has not fully switched to polymer currency. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) previously conducted pilot tests with Rs 10 polymer notes and is now preparing another trial that is expected to begin with Rs 10 and Rs 20 notes. No nationwide rollout has been announced yet.
ALSO READ: India may get Rs 10 and 20 plastic currency notes from next year. Here's why
WHY ARE POLYMER BANKNOTES GAINING POPULARITY?
Polymer banknotes last much longer than paper notes and are more difficult to forge because they include advanced security features such as transparent windows, specialised inks and intricate designs. They are also more resistant to moisture, dirt and everyday wear, reducing replacement costs over time.
