Global gold demand fell 1% year on year to 1,369 tonnes in Q3 2026. The average gold price was US$4,262 an ounce, while the value of demand rose 22% to US$188bn, according to the World Gold Council’s Gold Demand Trends report.
Central banks and other official institutions added a net 321 tonnes to reserves during the quarter, up 42% year on year and the highest quarterly total since Q4 2024. Year-to-date purchases reached 675 tonnes, 6% above the same period last year.
Physically backed gold ETFs returned to inflows after outflows in Q2, adding 211 tonnes in Q3. Holdings reached a record 4,256 tonnes. Demand for bars and coins fell 19% to 268 tonnes, although it rose 7% in China.
