Central banks reach record levels of gold accumulation

Global central banks have increased their gold accumulation to an average of 1,000 tons annually over the past four years, doubling the previous decade's average of 500 tons. According to the World Gold Council's 2026 Central Bank Gold Reserves survey, this trend is driven by ongoing geopolitical and economic uncertainty. The survey, conducted between February 5 and May 19, 2026, highlights that central bankers view gold as a crucial asset during periods of instability. A significant majority of respondents, 89%, expect official gold reserves to continue growing over the next 12 months. This sentiment remains consistent across both advanced and developing economies. Conversely, 11% of surveyed central banks anticipate that the proportion of gold in their total reserves will remain unchanged. Data collected reflects perspectives shaped significantly by the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.