05/05/2026
BREAKING: Global central bank gold purchases surged +36 tonnes in Q1 2026, to 244 tonnes, the highest since Q4 2024.
This significantly exceeds the 5-year average of ~228 tonnes.
By comparison, the 5-year average in 2016-2020 was ~115 tonnes, or less than half the current level.
Central banks have now bought over +200 tonnes of gold in 10 out of the last 11 quarters.
Poland led Q1 purchases at +31 tonnes, bringing its total reserves to a record 582 tonnes, heading closer to its 700 tonnes target.
Uzbekistan followed at +25 tonnes and China at +7 tonnes.
World central banks are acquiring gold at an accelerated pace.