Getty Images/Dario Pignatelli/Bloomberg
- The volume of gold bought by central banks in 2018 rose to its highest level since the end of the Gold Standard nearly a half a century ago.
- That trend has continued this year, with February seeing the most monthly purchases in four months.
- The US holds the largest amount of reserves — here are the countries that are closest behind.
In 2018, the volume of gold bought by central banks rose to its highest level since nearly a half a century ago.
That trend has continued into this year, with February seeing the most monthly purchases in four months. Here’s how much each country held as of early April 2019, according to the latest available data from the International Monetary Fund and the World Gold Council.
10. India
Reuters/Danish Siddiqui
Official gold holdings: 608.7 tonnes
Percent of foreign reserves in gold: 6.4%
As the global economy slows, emerging markets have looked to increase holdings of the yellow metal. In India, reserves have been increasing steadily since last August.
9. Netherlands
Michael Dalder/Reuters
Official gold holdings: 612.5 tonnes
Percent of foreign reserves in gold: 65.9%
The Netherlands has also moved to bring its gold reserves closer to home in recent years. In 2014, the Dutch central bank said repatriating some of its holdings from New York would have "a positive effect on public confidence."
8. Japan
Reuters
Official gold holdings: 765.2 tonnes
Percent of foreign reserves in gold: 2.5%
Japan’s share of global foreign exchange reserves rose to a 15-year high at 5.2% last year, according to the IMF. But gold only accounts for a relatively small portion of that, about the same percent as China.
See the rest of the story at Business Insider
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Source: Business Insider – gheeb@businessinsider.com (Gina Heeb)