Forex Trading Statistics & Facts 2020 (2024)

Table of Contents
Forex Market Statistics The Size and Daily Turnover in the Global Foreign Exchange Market Who Are the Major Forex Market Players? The World’s Most Popular Forex Currencies What are the Most Traded Currency Pairs? EUR/USD USD/JPY GBP/USD AUD/USD USD/CAD USD/CHF NZD/USD What markets do traders trade? Forex Traders Can You Get Rich by Trading Forex? Can Forex trading be a full-time job? What monthly return do you believe that you can achieve trading currencies? Trading Experience Do traders have any other trading experience before Forex? How long have you been trading Forex? Are traders trading live or demo accounts? On ‘average' how many trades do traders make each month? How many traders are successful and what is the success rate of Forex traders? So why do most traders fail? What percentage of your overall budget are you spending on trading Forex? How confident are you, when making a budget decision, that you are investing in initiatives that are influencing revenue? What are the primary forms of media used within your Forex trading strategy? What channels are you using for updates on Forex market? What type of videos are you interested in? Forex Market Technology What technology are you using to find a Forex broker? What to Look for in a Forex Tool What is the most popular Forex trading platform? What is the likelihood of using a mobile trading app in 2020? The most important mobile trading app capabilities: Do you believe that artificial intelligence and machine learning optimizes trade execution? What are the most useful Forex trading and data tools? What types of online calculators save you time when performing basic calculations? Do you use robots to help you trade? Final Thoughts FAQs You might also be interested in reading the below articles: FAQs

If you trade Forex or if you are considering taking the opportunity to do so, the main Forex industry stats for 2020 should be an important part of your decision-making process. Daily Forex has created a detailed report to help traders prioritize their strategies and outperform their goals. This report includes data from over 3,100 traders across the globe as well as insights and predictions from our leading traders and partners. Take a look inside.If you trade Forex or if you are considering taking the opportunity to do so, the main Forex industry stats for 2020 should be an important part of your decision-making process. Daily Forex has created a detailed report to help traders prioritize their strategies and outperform their goals. Thid report includes data from over 3,100 traders across the globe as well as insights and predictions from our leading traders and partners. Take a look inside.

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The Daily Forex research team approached our huge database consisting of more than 120,000 subscribers, mainly Forex traders, and asked questions about their challenges and strategies when trading Forex.

We surveyed 3,127 Forex traders from 32 countries to understand how they analyze data, how they trade, what they find challenging, and what is working well. Below we outline some interesting facts, statistics, trends, and charts about the huge $6.6 trillion Forex market.

Forex Market Statistics

The Size and Daily Turnover in the Global Foreign Exchange Market

The Forex market is the biggest financial market in the world, bigger than the stock, bond, and commodity markets. Forex market daily activity has seen an increase from US$ 1.2 trillion in 2001 to US$ 6.6 trillion in 2019.The global Forex trading market is worth $2,409,000,000,000 (that is $2.4quadrillion).

Forex is the only market that runs for 24 hours a day (except for weekends). The Forex market is three times larger than the derivatives market and a whopping 35 times larger than the equity (stock) market.

Who Are the Major Forex Market Players?

Forex traders and investors come from a broad spectrum of backgrounds. Most of the market volume in the Forex market is generated by financial institutions such as commercial banks, central banks, hedge funds, investment managers, and multinational corporations. Retail Forex trading only accounts for a mere 5.5% of the entire Forex market globally.

The World’s Most Popular Forex Currencies

There are over 170 different currencies around the world today that make up the Forex market. The US Dollar is the most traded currency in the world. The US Dollar, also known as the "greenback", is part of almost73% of global trades.

Most of the popular Forex currencies have daily trading signals for beginner and experienced traders.

  • The Euro is the 2nd most traded currency, participating in 39.7% of the trades.
  • The Japanese Yen (JPY) is the third most traded currency, participating in 25.7% of the trades.
  • The British Pound (GBP) is the fourth most traded currency, participating in 20.7% of the trades.
  • The Australian Dollar (AUD) is the fifth most traded currency, participating in 11.48 of the trades.
  • The Canadian Dollar (CAD) is the sixth most traded currency, participating in 8.0% of the trades.
  • The Swiss Franc (CHF) is the seventh most traded currency, participating in 7.0% of the trades.
  • The New Zealand Dollar (NZD) is the eighth most traded currency, participating in 5.7% of the trades.

What are the Most Traded Currency Pairs?

More than 70% of the global Forex market transactions happen in only 7 currency pairs known asthe majors(EUR/USD, USD/JPY, GBP/USD, AUD/USD, USD/CAD, USD/CHF, and NZD/USD)

EUR/USD

The United States Dollar (USD) is the currency of the world’s largest economy and the world’s most dominant reserve currency. The European Union Euro (EUR) is second in dominance and this EUR/USD pair (nicknamed “Fiber”) is the world’s most traded currency pair, taking up the largest chunk of the market’s action.

USD/JPY

The second most popular pair to trade is the USD and the Japanese Yen (JPY).The USD/JPY, also known as “The Ninja”, tends to reflect the political situation between the two economies at any given time.This pair is also referred to as the “gopher”.

GBP/USD

Moving down the list of most popular pairs to trade, the next coupling on the list is British Pound (GBP) and the USD. The GBP/USD is commonly referred to as the “cable” (due to the undersea cables that used to carry bid and ask quotes across the Atlantic Ocean). The pair tends to positively correlate with the EUR/USD.

AUD/USD

The fourth most popular currency pair is the Australian Dollar (AUS) and the USD. The AUD/USD is commonly referred to as the “Aussie”. The Aussie is greatly affected by mining commodities, farming of beef, wool, and wheat.

USD/CAD

The USD and the Canadian Dollar (CAD) are next on the list of most popular currency pairs to trade. This pair is affected by oil, timber and natural gas and tends to negatively correlate with the AUD/USD, GBP/USD, and the EUR/USD.

USD/CHF

The USD to Swiss Franc (CHF) is commonly referred to as the “Swissy”. When uncertainty enters the market, traders tend to bid up the Swiss Franc which has been regarded as a safe haven for traders because the Swiss economy is seen to have lower risk. The pair tends to negatively correlate with the EUR/USD and GBP/USD pairs.

NZD/USD

The last pair on our list of the 7 majors to trade is the New-Zealand Dollar (NZD) to USD. The NZD/USD is also known as the ‘Kiwi’. Changes to monetary policy from the Federal Reserve and Reserve Bank of New Zealand can lead to NZD/USD volatility.

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What markets do traders trade?

97% of respondents trade Forex, 43% Gold, 24% stock indices, and 9% cryptocurrencies.

Forex Traders

According to our research, women represent only 12.4% of all traders.

Forex Trading Statistics & Facts 2020 (3)

The majority of the traders are aged between 25 and 34, as shown below:

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Can You Get Rich by Trading Forex?

As we know, all Forex traders lose money on some trades. George Soros and Stanley Druckenmiller are well known as people who have made enormous profits from Forex trading – but this does not mean that every trade they ever made was a winner.

We asked the participants if they think that they can get rich by trading Forex. 88% replied affirmatively.

Can Forex trading be a full-time job?

While 88% of the participants believe that they can become rich by trading Forex, only 12% replied that trading can be a full-time job. 8% of the participants replied that they spend less than 1 hour a day and 52% spend 3-4 hours on daily trading. You should not expect to start an account with a few hundred dollars spending only 1 or 2 hours trading per day and expect to become amillionaire or even make a living by day trading.

Forex Trading Statistics & Facts 2020 (5)

What monthly return do you believe that you can achieve trading currencies?

Forex Trading Statistics & Facts 2020 (6)

Trading Experience

Forex trading is not a game! As you can learn from the data that we’ve gathered below, experience is one of the key factors for successful trading. Experience and education.One of the good things about Forex trading is that there is plenty of free information, videos and free forex ebooks about it available on the net.

Do traders have any other trading experience before Forex?

72% of Forex traders had no experience trading any other markets before trading Forex.

How long have you been trading Forex?

When we divide the total number of traders according to their trading experience, we can see a clear majority (92%) of beginners with less than 3 years’ experience. This figure (as well as the rising search volume on our website) indicates that there are many people entering the trading world, especially in recent times.

39% have been trading for 12 months or less, 53% have traded for less than 1 year and 1% have traded for over 10 years.

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Are traders trading live or demo accounts?

70% of those who responded to the survey trade on a live account.

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On ‘average' how many trades do traders make each month?

43% of traders make 9-20 trades per month. 35% make 4-8 trades per month and 22% make over 20 trades per month.

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How many traders are successful and what is the success rate of Forex traders?

Is it true that 90% of traders lose money? We have asked the participants if on the overall they lose or win money. According to our survey 85% of Forex retail traders do not succeed.

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So why do most traders fail?

85%of those who trade for more than 4 years claim to win. In order to become a successful trader, you need a good understanding of the market. Only then can you develop a trading strategy and discipline. Professional traders often say that they lose a lot of money at the start of their trading journey because they lack the knowledge, strategy, or discipline to succeed. The majority of the profitable traders spent at least 4 years losing money before they were able to build a winning trading plan. If you do not have a professional background in financial markets, it could be even harder.

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What percentage of your overall budget are you spending on trading Forex?

The majority of the traders we surveyed risk less than 5% of their overall budget on trading Forex.

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How confident are you, when making a budget decision, that you are investing in initiatives that are influencing revenue?

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What are the primary forms of media used within your Forex trading strategy?

A majority of the traders (52.6%) rely on news sites as part of their core trading strategy. Case studies, e-books and white papers are complementary as part of the education process.

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There is no one-size-fits-all way to understand the market: each country, region, and locality has unique needs, terminology, and means of consuming information.

What channels are you using for updates on Forex market?

The majority of the traders rely on financial websites to learn and update about the Forex market. 13.7% of the traders are taking an active part in social media communities such as Facebook, LinkedIn and Telegram.

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What type of videos are you interested in?

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Forex Market Technology

Forex trading is very competitive, and even very small delays in trade execution can be very costly. There is no doubt that technology has an impact on Forex trading. Below you can find informative statistics about Forex trading platforms and tools.

What technology are you using to find a Forex broker?

Over 78% of traders search for a broker using a mobile or tablet device.

Traders prefer Android over iOS. 59.2% of traders have an Android phone, while 40.8% use iOS.

What to Look for in a Forex Tool

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What is the most popular Forex trading platform?

MT4 is the most popular Forex trading platform in the world. 57% of the people who took our survey trade with MT4. Many Forex brokers offer their clients the opportunity to use MT4 as their trading platform. Its closest competitor is MT5, which is also built by MetaTrader. 6% responded that they use cTrader and 18% use other, which is likely to be a broker's proprietary platform.

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85% of traders use Windows Desktop.

What is the likelihood of using a mobile trading app in 2020?

83% of Forex traders surveyed are extremely or somewhat extremely likely to use a Forex trading app in 2020.

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The most important mobile trading app capabilities:

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Do you believe that artificial intelligence and machine learning optimizes trade execution?

65% of traders believe that machine learning and artificial intelligence optimizes trade execution.

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What are the most useful Forex trading and data tools?

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What types of online calculators save you time when performing basic calculations?

Traders are eager to know how to calculate the pips value on different currency transactions.94% of the traders who responded to the survey stated that they use a currency pip calculator.

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Do you use robots to help you trade?

88% of successful Forex traders these days use robots to help them make money.

Final Thoughts

The Forex trading market is bigger than futures and stock (equity) trading markets. Millions of individuals around the world attempt to secure profit from trading Forex. Some of them speculate and others manage a calculated risk on exchange rate fluctuations. Having a working knowledge and trading strategy is essential when entering the Forex market. Despite the COVID-19 outbreak, the Forex trading industry seems stable in 2020. We hope that this survey will help Forex traders to identify and better understand trends, techniques and expectations and become better traders.

FAQs

Can I trade Forex with $100?

Yes, you can even start Forex trading with only $10!. The amount of money you need to start will depend upon your Forex broker

What is the success rate of forex traders?

According to our survey85% ofForexretail tradersdo not succeed.

Who is the richest forex trader in the world?

George Sorosis considered to be the best and the richest Forex trader in the world.

You might also be interested in reading the below articles:

  • Which Forex Pairs Range the Most?
  • Which Forex Pairs Trend the Most
  • How to Count Pips on GBP/JPY
  • What is Better, Futures or Forex?
  • Which Forex Pairs Move the Most?
Forex Trading Statistics & Facts 2020 (2024)

FAQs

What percentage of forex traders are successful? ›

They may also be overtrading or taking on too much risk. According to research, only about 20% of forex traders are consistently profitable, and the remaining 80% struggle to break even or lose money.

How much can you make with $1000 in forex? ›

Well, this depends on how much you're risking per trade. If you risk $1000, then you can make an average of $20,000 per year. If you risk $3000, then you can make an average of $60,000 per year. If you risk $5000, then you can make an average of $100,000 per year.

What is the statistic of forex? ›

Highlights: Forex Trading Statistics

The foreign exchange market (Forex) has a daily trading volume of over $6.6 trillion. The Forex market is open 24 hours a day, 5 days a week, and is the most liquid financial market in the world.

What is the number one mistake forex traders make? ›

The Bottom Line

Averaging down, reactive trading to market news and volatility, having exceedingly high expectations, and risking too much capital are common mistakes.

Has anyone become a millionaire from forex? ›

One of the most famous examples of a forex trader who has gotten rich is George Soros. In 1992, he famously made a short position on the pound sterling, which earned him over $1 billion. Another example is Michael Marcus, also known as the Wizard of Odd.

Can forex make one a millionaire? ›

The answer is yes! Forex can make you a millionaire if you are a hedge fund trader with a large sum. But forex from rags to riches for the majority is usually a rocky and bumpy ride which often leaves some traders in their dreams.

Is $50 dollars enough for Forex trading? ›

Yes, it is possible to start trading Forex with $50. However, it is important to be realistic about your expectations. With a starting balance of $50, you will need to be very careful with your risk management. You should also be prepared to lose money, as Forex trading is a risky activity.

Can I start forex with $50? ›

Trading forex with $50 may seem like a daunting task, but it is certainly possible. With proper risk management and a sound trading strategy, you can make the most out of your limited funds. However, it is important to understand that trading with a small account comes with its own set of challenges and risks.

Can I make 1k a day trading? ›

Earning Rs 1000 per day in the share market might seem ambitious, but it is achievable with the right strategies, knowledge, and discipline. The share market offers numerous opportunities for traders and investors to generate consistent profits.

How many people fail at forex? ›

According to research, the consensus in the forex market is that around 70% to 80% of all beginner forex traders lose money, get disappointed, and quit. Generally, 80% of all-day traders tend to quit within the first two years.

Is forex the riskiest? ›

Risk in forex trading is the same as risk in any other market. If your positions go against you, you may have to close them at a loss instead of a profit. No trader gets it right 100% of the time, so learning how to manage and mitigate risk is a key part of achieving success.

Where do most forex traders live? ›

Vietnam, Singapore, Switzerland, and Australia are some of the best countries for forex traders to reside in. However, there are also other ideal destinations such as New Zealand, Canada, and Hong Kong. It is also important to note that each country has its own regulations and guidelines for forex trading.

Is there a secret to trading forex? ›

Education is Key: Successful Forex traders invest in their education. They learn the fundamentals of Forex trading, technical and fundamental analysis, and continuously update their knowledge. Effective Risk Management: Protecting your capital is paramount.

What is the most reliable forex pattern? ›

Head and Shoulders Pattern: The head and shoulders pattern is considered one of the most reliable chart patterns and is used to identify possible trend reversals.

Why do so many people fail at forex? ›

Poor Risk and Money Management: Traders should put as much focus on risk management as they do on developing strategy. Some naive individuals will trade without protection and abstain from using stop losses and similar tactics in fear of being stopped out too early.

What is the 90% percent rule in Forex? ›

While it can be a lucrative venture for some, it is also known to be a high-risk activity. This is where the 90 rule in Forex comes into play. The 90 rule in Forex is a commonly cited statistic that states that 90% of Forex traders lose 90% of their money in the first 90 days.

What percentage of people win in Forex? ›

This is not to scare you away, beginners traders for example comes into the forex market with the expectation to make millions in few weeks, months which i would say it's meant to be a gradual process. There is no straight answer of this question. It is said that only 5 % of people win in the forex market.

Is it hard to be successful in Forex? ›

Many people fail to become efficient traders, and don't achieve good results in the Forex market. In fact, a high percentage of Forex traders end up losing more money than they make. Learning to trade Forex or any type of financial market can be difficult and is certainly not something that you will pick up in a day.

Are there any successful Forex traders? ›

From Soros to Kovner, the common theme among this list of famous forex traders is that they have profited mightily from their thoughtful trades. Coupled with self-confidence and an incredible appetite for risk, this has cemented them among the best and richest investors in history. George Soros.

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