Holders and trends

Statistics covering ETF and central bank holdings, data on the attitudes of central banks, and a break-down of the above-ground stock of gold.

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Global gold-backed ETF holdings and flows

Gold-backed ETFs (gold ETFs) experienced net outflows in August of 22.4 tonnes (t) (-US$1.3bn, -0.6% AUM), as North American outflows outweighed inflows into European and Asian funds. Gold faced headwinds early in August as the dollar briefly strengthened and rising Treasury yields weighed on investment flows, triggering momentum selling shortly thereafter. Gold prices recovered late in the month, but it did not spur sufficient offsetting inflows, as global holdings fell to 3,611t (US$211bn) – the lowest tonnage level since May.

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2021 Central Bank Gold Reserves Survey

Central banks continue to be positive on gold, with roughly the same number of central banks expected to buy gold compared to last year. According to the 2021 Central Bank Gold Reserves (CBGR) survey, 21% of central banks intend to increase their gold reserves over the next 12 months.

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Above-ground stocks

A breakdown of the above-ground stock of gold, including a time series of how it has evolved since 2010, and the latest year-end estimate of below-ground stocks.

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2020 Central Bank Gold Reserve Survey

The number of central banks buying gold is expected to increase substantially this year. According to the 2020 Central Bank Gold Reserves (CBGR) survey, 20% of central banks intend to increase their gold reserves over the next 12 months, compared to just 8% of respondents in the 2019 survey. 

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2019 Central Bank Gold Reserve Survey

Central banks bought 651 tonnes of gold in 2018, the highest volume on record under the existing international monetary system. In the World Gold Council’s second annual Central Bank Gold Reserve Survey, we explore: the motivations behind these purchases; planned changes in reserve asset allocations; gold management strategies; and gold operations practices.

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