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 and similar products (gold ETFs) recorded their eighth consecutive month of positive flows, adding 166 tonnes (t) in July – equivalent to US$9.7bn or 4.1% of assets under management (AUM). Global holdings have once again reached a new all-time high of 3,785t1 and the price of gold hit a record high of US$1,976/oz by the July-end, leaving global AUM standing at $239bn. Global net inflows of 899t (US$49.1bn) to date are considerably higher than previous annual highs, and the trend of inflows has continued in the first few trading days of August as the price of gold has breached US$2,000/oz.

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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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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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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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