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Top 10 countries with the most gold reserves

Autor: Rolf van Zanten Date: 27 February 2025 Update: 27 February 2025 Reading time: 4 min

Gold has been an important asset for countries worldwide for centuries. Not only as an investment but also as a hedge against economic uncertainties. In the modern economy, many countries hold significant gold reserves to strengthen their financial stability.
These reserves act as a buffer and confidence-building tool during economic fluctuations. The Silver Mountain insight into the top 10 countries with the largest gold reserves and their importance.
 

Why countries hold gold reserves

Gold is recognized worldwide as a stable and stable investment, which encourages countries to build up gold reserves. In times of economic crisis or inflation, gold can serve as a safe haven, allowing countries to maintain a certain degree of financial security.
In addition, gold helps to keep the exchange rates of national currencies stable and increases the confidence of international trading partners. Because gold functions independently of other currencies, it offers governments a stable way to safeguard their financial position.
 

The top 10 countries with the most gold reserves

Based on data from the World Gold Council and national banks worldwide, these are the ten countries that have built up the largest gold reserves in the world:
United States: With a gold reserve of over 8,100 tons, the US has by far the largest gold reserves in the world. This enormous reserve serves as an essential financial buffer and stabilizer for the American economy.
Germany: With over 3,300 tons of gold, Germany has the largest gold reserve in Europe. This gold supports Germany's economic strength and provides stability within the Eurozone.
Italy: Italy holds about 2,450 tons of gold, which puts it in third place. The Italian central bank considers gold an important anchor for the country's financial stability.
France: France has a gold reserve of about 2,440 tons. The country sees gold as essential for national security and monetary stability.
Russia: Russia has greatly increased its gold reserves in recent decades and now holds almost 2,300 tonnes of gold. This is part of a strategy to reduce its dependence on foreign currencies.
China: With about 2,000 tons of gold reserves, China aims to reduce dependence on the US dollar and boost confidence in the Chinese yuan.
Switzerland: This country is known for its financial stability. This stability is partly due to the approximately 1,040 tons of gold that the country holds as part of its currency reserve.
Japan: Japan holds around 845 tonnes of gold, which provides a stable foundation for the Japanese yen and supports the country's economy.
India: India has over 760 tonnes of gold. Gold plays an important role in Indian culture and is also used to stabilise the national currency, the rupee.
Netherlands: The Netherlands holds approximately 612 tonnes of gold and sees it as a valuable reserve that supports the euro and provides protection against economic instability.
 

How gold reserves affect economic stability

Gold reserves act as an anchor for the national economy, providing stability during economic fluctuations. By holding a supply of gold, central banks can support their currencies, thus ensuring a more stable economy.
Holding a gold reserve is especially important in times of inflation, when gold often retains its value while the value of national currencies declines. Countries such as Russia and China have significantly increased their gold reserves in recent years, in order to be less dependent on foreign currencies, especially the US dollar.
 

Historical trends in gold reserves

Historically, countries have held gold as a financial security. During the gold standard, which lasted from the 19th century to the mid-20th century, currencies were directly linked to a country’s gold reserves. With the end of the gold standard in 1971, gold’s role changed, but it remained an important strategic asset for many countries.
Since the 2008 financial crisis, many countries have started to expand their gold reserves again as a way to hedge economic risks and increase their financial stability.
 

The future of gold reserves worldwide

Given the ongoing economic uncertainty and geopolitical tensions, countries are likely to continue investing in gold reserves. Emerging economies in particular, such as China and India, are building up their gold reserves to protect their currencies from currency risks and to become less dependent on the dollar.
The future points to an increasing demand for gold, not only from individual investors, but also from governments seeking to ensure their financial security.
Do you have questions about countries’ gold reserves, or do you want to buy or sell gold yourself? Please contact us for more information.