World Gold Council: Total global demand for gold fell 1% year on year to 1,369 tons in the third quarter

The Zhitong Finance App learned that on November 3, the “Global Gold Demand Trend” report for the third quarter of 2026 released by the World Gold Council showed that total demand for gold in the third quarter (including OTC transactions) fell 1% year on year to 1,369 tons. The year-to-date demand was 3,881 tons, almost the same as the record high in 2025 (3,884 tons), while demand set a new record of 566 billion US dollars.

Central bank purchases jumped to 321 tons in the third quarter, exceeding typical recent quarterly purchasing levels, and propelled year-to-date demand to 675 tons (up 6% year over year).

Gold ETFs reversed their decline after capital outflows in the second quarter and increased their holdings by 211 tons in the third quarter. Capital inflows appear to be driven mainly by concerns about factors such as fiscal sustainability and inflation.

Bar and coin investors were more cautious; global demand fell 19% year over year to 268 tons as investors waited for a more clear price trend to emerge.

Demand for jewelry fell 17% year over year to 313 tons, setting a record for the weakest third quarter in the data series. High prices continued to adversely affect all markets. Demand increased 2% year over year to US$43 billion.

In the third quarter, gold usage in the technology sector increased 3% year over year, and demand from the artificial intelligence-related manufacturing industry exceeded the restrictive impact of high gold prices.