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The gold prices used in this table and chart are supplied by FastMarkets. Where the gold price is presented in currencies other than the US dollar, it is converted into the local currency unit using the foreign exchange rate at the time (or as close to as possible).
Gold plays an important part in central banks’ reserves management, and they are significant holders of gold. This gold reserve data – compiled using IMF IFS statistics – tracks central banks’ reported purchases and sales along with gold as a percentage of their international reserves.
Global central bank gold reserves fell by 4t in March based on available data, flipping back to net sales following healthy net purchases of 32.3t in February. Kazakhstan was the largest seller in the month, reducing its gold reserves by 12t. Uzbekistan sold a modest 1t in the month, with gold reserves still accounting for 60% of total reserves. Purchases were dominated by Turkey, which added 5t to its gold reserves in March, while India bought 2.5t and Ireland added 1 tonne.
Sources:
Central Banks,
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis,
International Monetary Fund,
World Bank,
World Gold Council; Disclaimer
This chart was updated in May 2022 and reports data available at that time. Data are taken from the International Monetary Fund's International Financial Statistics (IFS), May 2022 edition, and other sources where applicable. IFS data are two months in arrears, so holdings are as of March 2022 for most countries, February 2022 or earlier for late reporters. Where the World Gold Council knows of movements that are not reported to the IMF or misprints, changes have been made.
The percentage share held in gold of total foreign reserves is calculated by the World Gold Council. The value of gold holdings is calculated using the end of quarter LBMA Gold Price, which is published daily by ICE Benchmark Administration for the value of other reserves are taken from IFS, table ‘Total Reserves minus Gold’.
Length and Frequency
Quarterly official gold holdings from 2000, as well as the latest available month-end data for the Top 100 holders.
Monthly and annual detailed changes in gold reserves from January 2002.
Annual sales by CBGA signatories from 1999.
Update Schedule
Monthly files are updated within the first 10 days of the month (with data two months in arrears). Quarterly data is updated a month after the end of the quarter.
Units
Holdings are given in tonnes, US$ value and % of total reserves. Changes in holdings are measured in tonnes.
