A small group of countries dominated global gold reserves in 2026, with the United States still far ahead of everyone else. Central bank gold has become even more strategic over the last few years, as countries look for insurance against currency swings, geopolitical shocks, and persistent inflation.
Top 10 Countries List With Most Gold Reserves in 2026
Using the latest World Gold Council–style datasets and 2025–early‑2026 compilations, the same familiar names sit at the top.
|
Rank |
Country |
Gold reserves (tonnes) |
|---|---|---|
|
1 |
United States |
8,133 |
|
2 |
Germany |
3,350 |
|
3 |
Italy |
2,452 |
|
4 |
France |
2,437 |
|
5 |
Russia |
2,333 |
|
6 |
China |
2,304 |
|
7 |
Switzerland |
1,040 |
|
8 |
India |
880 |
|
9 |
Japan |
846 |
| 10 | Turkey | 624 |
Individual sources differ by a few tonnes, but the order from the US down to Turkey is consistent.
United States
The United States holds about 8,133 tonnes of gold, the largest pile in the world by a huge margin. Much of this is stored in places like Fort Knox and the New York Fed, and it represents well over 70% of declared US official reserves, underscoring how central gold still is in the country’s long‑term safety net.
Germany
Germany comes second with roughly 3,350 tonnes. Over the last decade, the Bundesbank gradually brought significant bars back from vaults in the US and France, a move that reassured the public that the country’s gold was physically closer to home.
Italy
Italy holds about 2,452 tonnes of gold, ranking third globally. Despite recurring debates about selling some reserves to ease public‑finance stress, the Bank of Italy has kept its stash intact, treating gold as a “reserve of ultimate confidence” inside the eurozone system.
France
France is close behind with around 2,437 tonnes. The Banque de France sits in a similar position to Italy: a large legacy hoard from the pre‑euro era that now serves mainly as a stabilising asset on the national balance sheet and a symbol of financial autonomy.
Russia
Russia holds roughly 2,333 tonnes, putting it fifth worldwide. In the last decade, the Russian central bank aggressively expanded reserves, partly to reduce reliance on the US dollar and partly to absorb domestically mined gold; that strategy has become even more important under sanctions.
China
China’s official reserves are generally reported around 2,304 tonnes. Analysts often argue the real figure could be higher, but even the public number reflects years of steady monthly purchases as Beijing tries to diversify away from US Treasuries and underpin the yuan’s credibility.
Switzerland
Switzerland holds about 1,040 tonnes, impressive for a relatively small country. Its role as a global financial and bullion‑trading hub means Swiss gold policy is watched closely, even though voters rejected a proposal several years ago to force the central bank to hold even more gold.
India
India’s official gold reserves sit around 880 tonnes in 2026. Beyond the central bank, private households and temples in India hold thousands of additional tonnes, making gold both a macro‑level financial buffer and a deeply rooted cultural store of wealth.
Japan
Japan has about 846 tonnes of gold, placing it ninth. With a very large foreign‑exchange reserve portfolio, gold is used mainly as a stabiliser and hedge, not as the dominant reserve asset, but Tokyo has still treated it as an anchor through long stretches of ultra‑low interest rates.
Turkey
Turkey rounds out the top 10 with approximately 624 tonnes. Over the last several years, the Turkish central bank has been an active buyer, using gold to support confidence in the lira and to diversify away from more volatile foreign‑currency holdings.
Why These Gold Reserves Matter?
These top 10 countries collectively hold well over half of the world’s official central‑bank gold. In an environment of repeated rate cycles, geopolitical tensions, and questions about fiat currencies, that concentration of metal helps shape everything from market sentiment to how quickly some nations can respond to crises without relying solely on printed money.
Disclaimer
Gold reserve values and rankings are based on the latest publicly available central‑bank and industry data, which can be revised as new reports are published. Figures are approximate, rounded, and intended for general information only. They should not be used as the sole basis for investment, trading, or policy decisions.
