Gold Demand Trends: Q4 and Full Year 2025

Gold demand hit record levels in 2025. Total gold demand (including OTC) topped 5,000t during a year which saw 53 all-time highs in the gold price. Investment fuelled the gold market last year: safe haven and diversification motives drove huge ETF inflows and exceptional bar and coin buying.

Flows rise from Wall Street to the Bund

Global physically backed gold ETFs added US$8.2bn in October, the fifth consecutive monthly inflow. North America (+US$6.5bn) and Asia (US$+6.1bn) led global inflows, while European funds lost US$4.5bn, the only region with outflows in the month. Continued inflows and gold price strength lifted global gold ETFs’ total AUM 6% higher m/m to US$503bn, another month-end peak, and holdings climbed 1% m/m to 3,893t, 1% away from the record level of 3,929t.

Gold Demand Trends: Q3 2025

Quarterly gold demand rose to a record in tandem with the price.  Growth was primarily from accelerating investment demand, which accelerated on a powerful combination of safe haven buying in an uncertain geopolitical environment, US dollar weakness and investor “FOMO” as the price continued to climb. 

West won’t rest – Q3 breaks records

Global physically backed gold ETFs recorded their largest monthly inflow in September (US$17bn), resulting in the strongest quarter on record of US$26bn. North American (US$10.6bn) and European funds (US$4.4bn) drove the bulk of inflows. Followed by Asia (US$2.1bn) and other regions (US$175mn). Supported by a rallying gold price, global gold ETFs’ total AUM rose 23% q/q to US$472bn, reaching another record, and holdings rose 6% q/q to 3,838t.

Risks channel August inflows West

Global physically backed gold ETFs saw inflows three months in a row, adding US$5.5bn in August. North American and European funds led inflows while Asia experienced continued outflows. Supported by continued inflows and a higher gold price, global gold ETFs’ total AUM rose 5% to US$407bn, another month-end record. Meanwhile, holdings rebounded 53t to 3,692t.

US and Europe anchor July inflows

Global physically backed gold ETFs saw continued inflows, adding US$3.2bn in July, mainly from North America and Europe. Continued inflows and a higher gold price pushed global gold ETFs’ total AUM 1% higher to US$386bn whilst holdings rose by 23t to 3,639t.

US Gold Demand Trends Q2 2025

US demand fell 34% q/q to 124t, but the decline was partially offset by strong gold-backed ETF demand. NA ETF inflows reached $21bn in H1 and are currently on pace for their second strongest year on record. Bullion exports started the year off strong with the US exporting ~268t through May, and are on pace to surpass 2024 volumes.

Gold Demand Trends: Q2 2025

A second quarter of significant investment in gold-backed ETFs, along with elevated bar and coin buying, drove total Q2 gold demand up 3% y/y to 1,249t. Meanwhile, jewellery consumption weakened further in the face of record gold prices.

June inflows boost H1 strength

A positive June pushed global physically backed gold ETFs’ inflows during the first half to US$38bn, the strongest semi-annual performance since H1 2020. Total AUM surged 41% to US$383bn, while holdings increased by 397t to 3,616t. 

Momentum eases in May

Global gold ETF flows flipped negative in May (-US$1.8bn): North America (-US$1.5bn) and Asia (-US$489mn) led outflows while Europe witnessed inflows (+US$225mn). Global gold ETFs’ total AUM fell 1% to US$374bn amid the May outflow. Meanwhile, holdings lowered by 19t to 3,541t. Global gold market liquidity remained elevated despite a m/m fall.