Research library

In 2015 India was the world’s fast growing economy; in recent years millions have been lifted out of poverty and India’s middle class has swelled. This is important because our econometric analysis indicates income growth drives gold demand. 

Following a remarkable performance year-to-date, the gold price fell by over 3% on 4 October, taking it below US$1,300/oz for the first time since the Brexit announcement in June 2016.

India has a rich tradition of gold consumption and production. Cherished as both an adornment and an investment, Indian households own circa 22,000 tonnes of gold and around 600 tonnes of gold is used in jewellery production each year.

India has an ambivalent relationship with gold. For consumers, gold is a prized asset, cherished as both an adornment and an investment. For the government, gold is a major contributor to the current account deficit, a challenge that needs to be addressed.

April 2013 witnessed a significant drop in gold prices, from US$ 1,535.5/oz on Friday 12 to intraday lows of US$ 1,320/oz on Tuesday 16th before stabilising around US$ 1,390/oz.