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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 6t in February, the second consecutive month of net sales. Uzbekistan was the largest seller in the month, decreasing its gold reserves by 22t to 339t. This is not the first significant sale from Uzbekistan in recent years as sales/purchase have been common due to active management of its gold reserves. Kazakhstan sold a further 5t in February, following a 17t sale in January. It is not uncommon for gold producing nations – such as Kazakhstan – to swing between buying and selling. Qatar (6t), Mongolia (1t) and Germany (1t) were the other notable sellers in the month – with the latter likely related to coin-minting. Net purchases were dominated by Turkey, which added 25t to its gold reserves in February. India bought 2.6t during the month, while Ireland, the only active developed market buyer, added 1t of gold to its reserves.
Sources:
Central Banks,
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis,
International Monetary Fund,
World Bank,
World Gold Council; Disclaimer
This chart was updated in March 2022 and reports data available at that time. Data are taken from the International Monetary Fund's International Financial Statistics (IFS), March 2022 edition, and other sources where applicable. IFS data are two months in arrears, so holdings are as of January 2022 for most countries, December 2021 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.
