US Remains Top Gold Holder Amid Slowing Central Bank Purchases

The United States remains the world's largest gold holder, with over 8,133 metric tons of official reserves as of 2026. China and India continue to increase their official gold reserves to strengthen their long-term financial security.

Despite slower purchases in 2026, central banks remain highly confident in gold's strategic value. Gold remains one of the most valuable assets in the world, providing financial stability, diversifying reserves, protecting against economic uncertainty, and strengthening confidence in a country's financial system.

The United States holds nearly 83% of its total foreign exchange reserves in gold, making it the dominant position among countries. Germany ranks second with 3,350.3 metric tons, followed by Italy and France. Russia and China also hold significant amounts of gold, with 2,313.4 metric tons and 2,304.7 metric tons respectively.

Central banks' confidence in gold remains strong, with 89% expecting official global gold reserves to rise in the next twelve months. A record 45% expect their own institutions to increase gold holdings. The total gold holdings in the world amount to approximately 36.5 thousand tons, while the IMF owns 2,814 tons.