Overview of Gold Holdings in 2026
In 2025 and early into 2026, central banks, overall, continued to bolster their gold reserves. The data below is sourced from the World Gold Council which reveals the top 20 holders of gold.
Top 20 Gold Holdings by Central Banks : As of January, 2026
| Rank | Country / Organization | Gold Reserves (Tonnes) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | United States | 8133.5 |
| 2 | Germany | 3350.3 |
| 3 | International Monetary Fund (IMF) | 2814 |
| 4 | Italy | 2451.9 |
| 5 | France | 2437 |
| 6 | Russia | 2326.5 |
| 7 | China | 2305.4 |
| 8 | Switzerland | 1039.9 |
| 9 | India | 880.2 |
| 10 | Japan | 846 |
| 11 | Turkey | 644.3 |
| 12 | The Netherlands | 612.5 |
| 13 | Poland | 543.3 |
| 14 | European Central Bank | 506.5 |
| 15 | Taiwan | 423.9 |
| 16 | Portugal | 382.7 |
| 17 | Uzbekistan | 380.4 |
| 18 | Kazakhstan | 333 |
| 19 | Saudia Arabia | 323.1 |
| 20 | United Kingdom | 310.3 |
Source: World Gold Council, International Financial Statistics, January 2026
Key Notes:
- Central banks, collectively, had net purchases of 863 tonnes of gold during 2025.
- Poland was the largest purchaser of gold during 2025 (102 tonnes).
- During Q4 of 2025, total net purchases were 230 tonnes.
- Canada holds zero tonnes of gold. Officially, the Bank of Canada has a no-gold policy.
January 5, 2026
Gold Proficiency
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