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Gold demand of 3,756.1 tonnes in 2013 was worth US$170.4bn. Consumers generated exceptional levels of demand, with jewellery at its highest since the onset of the financial crisis in 2008 and investment in small bars and coins hitting a record high. This was in contrast to large-scale outflows from ETFs, due to a number tactical western investors liquidating their positions as US economic sentiment improved. Central banks made healthy purchases of 368.6 tonnes, the fourth consecutive year of positive demand. The net result was a 15% decline in overall gold demand from 2012.

As part of gold's growing financial usage the World Gold Council conducted a case study to examine gold's potential role on bank balance sheets as part of new liquidity buffers being discussed in global banking regulations within Basel III. The case study examines the effect of adding gold to the Basel III Liquidity Coverage Ratio (LCR).