<p>The real exchange rate <strong>is an index</strong>. </p>

<p>For example, the nominal exchange rate between British pounds and US dollars is 0.75 pounds per dollar (as of today; e.g. £20 are roughly $27). To calculate the real exchange rate, you have to multiply this by the relative prices of these two countries, after which you end up with a dimensionless index. This index tells you the <strong>relative</strong> value of the same basket of goods in the two countries. In a very idealised world were the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Law_of_one_price" rel="nofollow noreferrer">law of one price</a> holds, such index is one.</p>

<p>Both the bilateral exchange rate and the effective or multilateral exchange rate are defined in terms of currencies. Not their real counterparts.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-09-13T18:03:52.243Z
Thanks, but a real effective exchange rate is a number that is close to 100.
Zhonger
CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-09-13T18:05:22.927Z
@Zhonger As any index (or variable), it can be rebased. 100 is normally  used for simplicity, as it eases the calculation of percentages. It still does not imply the number has a meaning in terms of currency.
luchonacho
CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-09-13T19:52:57.037Z
@Zhonger Notice that I am not making this up. This is standard theory. For example, see [this](http://www.imf.org/external/pubs/ft/fandd/2007/09/basics.htm).
luchonacho
CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-09-14T20:32:17.783Z
thanks for your information. I just want to know where I can get information on bilateral exchange rates without the need to convert it from nominal exchange rates :)
Zhonger
CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-09-13T15:22:37.983Z
2017-09-13T15:42:13.080Z
2017-09-13T15:42:13.080Z
luchonacho
<p>Check out this <a href="https://www.ers.usda.gov/data-products/agricultural-exchange-rate-data-set/" rel="nofollow noreferrer">link</a> from the United States Department of Agriculture. </p>

<p>This data set contains annual and monthly data for exchange rates. It includes both <strong>bilateral</strong> nominal and <strong>real exchange rates for 79 countries, plus the European Union,</strong> as well as real trade-weighted exchange rate indexes for many commodities and aggregations. All series are updated quarterly. Data series start at the beginning of 1970 and run to the last available data point.</p>

<p>As pointed out by @luchonacho, real exchange rates here are derived by multiplying the nominal exchange rate by the ratio of the U.S. to local currency Consumer Price Index</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-09-13T20:30:51.317Z
Oh, great database! I was not aware of a compiled database of RER.
luchonacho
CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-09-13T20:14:40.973Z
2017-09-13T20:14:40.973Z
emeryville
<p>Where can I find bilateral real exchange rates? For example per USD?</p>

<p>I can only find real effective exchange rates, but it is an index, not a bilateral rate.</p>

<data-request><exchange-rates>
Data on bilateral real exchange rate
Zhonger
# Data on bilateral real exchange rate

(Asked by: username_0 on 2017-09-13)

Where can I find bilateral real exchange rates? For example per USD?

I can only find real effective exchange rates, but it is an index, not a bilateral rate.

**Tags:** data-request, exchange-rates

---

## 2 answers

### Answer by username_2 on 2017-09-13. Score: 2 | Accepted answer

Check out this [link](https://www.ers.usda.gov/data-products/agricultural-exchange-rate-data-set/) from the United States Department of Agriculture.

This data set contains annual and monthly data for exchange rates. It includes both **bilateral** nominal and **real exchange rates for 79 countries, plus the European Union,** as well as real trade-weighted exchange rate indexes for many commodities and aggregations. All series are updated quarterly. Data series start at the beginning of 1970 and run to the last available data point.

As pointed out by @luchonacho, real exchange rates here are derived by multiplying the nominal exchange rate by the ratio of the U.S. to local currency Consumer Price Index

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: Oh, great database! I was not aware of a compiled database of RER.  

---

### Answer by username_1 on 2017-09-13. Score: 1

The real exchange rate **is an index**.

For example, the nominal exchange rate between British pounds and US dollars is 0.75 pounds per dollar (as of today; e.g. £20 are roughly $27). To calculate the real exchange rate, you have to multiply this by the relative prices of these two countries, after which you end up with a dimensionless index. This index tells you the **relative** value of the same basket of goods in the two countries. In a very idealised world were the [law of one price](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Law_of_one_price) holds, such index is one.

Both the bilateral exchange rate and the effective or multilateral exchange rate are defined in terms of currencies. Not their real counterparts.

> **Comments:**
> **username_0**: Thanks, but a real effective exchange rate is a number that is close to 100.  
> **username_1**: @Zhonger As any index (or variable), it can be rebased. 100 is normally  used for simplicity, as it eases the calculation of percentages. It still does not imply the number has a meaning in terms of currency.  
> **username_1**: @Zhonger Notice that I am not making this up. This is standard theory. For example, see [this](http://www.imf.org/external/pubs/ft/fandd/2007/09/basics.htm).  
> **username_0**: thanks for your information. I just want to know where I can get information on bilateral exchange rates without the need to convert it from nominal exchange rates :)  

---

