ruil

Ruil is a Dutch noun meaning exchange or swap. It denotes the act of giving a good or service in return for another, typically without money. The related verb is ruilen, meaning to exchange or swap. The term is used in everyday language as well as in more formal discussions of exchange economies.

In economics, ruil describes barter-like exchanges, either informal between individuals or part of a formal barter system, known as ruilhandel. Barter arises when money is unavailable, undesirable, or when participants value goods and services differently enough that direct money-based transactions are not preferred.

Historically, ruil has been a common method of trade across many cultures, predating the widespread use of money. In modern contexts, ruil persists in barter marketplaces, gift economies, and time banks, where services are exchanged or time credits are traded instead of money. These arrangements can support local activity, mutual aid, and community resilience, though they also face challenges such as valuing diverse goods and services and maintaining accurate records of exchanges.

Contemporary ruil networks often rely on digital platforms to match offers and to track credits or balances in time-based or mutual-credit systems. Local currencies and other alternative instruments can complement ruil by providing a unit of account within a community.

See also: Barter, barter economy, time bank, mutual credit, local currency.