45% of Central Banks Plan to Increase Gold Holdings Over Next Year, Survey Shows Record High

According to the World Gold Council's 2026 Global Central Bank Gold Reserve Survey released on June 16, 89% of respondents expect global central bank gold reserves to increase over the next 12 months, while 45% plan to increase their institutions' gold holdings within the year. Both figures represent historical records since the survey began in 2018.

The increased demand for gold follows a significant macro development: as of end-2025, gold surpassed U.S. Treasury bonds to become the world's largest official reserve asset, according to the European Central Bank's 2026 report on the international role of the euro.