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18 March, 2022

DIFFERENCE BETWEEN DEPRECIATION AND DEVALUATON OF CURRENCY

 Both currency depreciation and currency devaluation end up with a currency that is worth less than it previously was in comparison to the currencies of other countries.  The difference is in how the currency comes to be worth less.

Depreciation occurs only in countries that allow their exchange rates to float.  That is, these countries allow supply and demand to determine the value of their currency relative to the currencies of other countries.  Depreciation occurs when the forces of supply and demand cause the value of their currency to drop. 

By contrast, devaluation occurs only in countries that do not allow their exchange rates to float.  These countries’ governments control the official value of their currency.  They typically use government money to buy or sell currency so as to keep the exchange rate where the government wants it to be.  Devaluation occurs when a government decides that it needs to have its currency be worth less.  It then allows its currency to become weaker.

In general, depreciation is considered to be a better thing because it happens “naturally” where devaluation is artificial. 

devaluation is taking the exchange rate from equilibrium to a disequilibrium situation; fix the exchange rate below its equilibrium value; create a situation where demand for the currency exceeds supply of the currency.

However, depreciation implies a lower equilibrium exchange rate following an increase in supply of the currency or a decrease in the demand of the currency.

depreciation and appreciation is for floating exchange rate
and devaluation and revaluation is only for fixed exchange rate
hope that helps.