Stats Long run returns Central bank gold

Central bank gold buying has fallen every year since 2022

2022: 1136t1136t20222023: 1051t1051t20232024: 1045t1045t20242025: 863t863t2025H1 26: 345t345tH1 26

Four consecutive years of decline from the 2022 peak, though still well above the 473 tonne average of 2010 to 2021. The 2026 figure is the first half only. Source: World Gold Council Gold Demand Trends.

Central banks hold gold as reserves, and the World Gold Council estimates how much they add each year. Net buying peaked in 2022 and has fallen every year since. It remains close to double its pre 2022 level, so it is elevated and falling.

1,136 tonnesPeak year, 2022
863.3 tonnesBought in 2025
473 tonnesAverage, 2010 to 2021
62.90%Gold return in 2025

Members only

The rest of this page is for members

Below this point there are 8 sections, 2 charts and 4 named sources, roughly 950 words of it. Every figure carries the source it came from and the date the data is from.

You can keep browsing every statistic in the library for free. The intro and the summary are always open.