With gold prices getting ready to soar, we've decided to find out who owns the most bullion in the world.
It's no surprise that governments, central banks, and investment funds are the world's largest holders of gold reserves. These organizations know gold is the ultimate store of value that protects against inflation and offers a safe haven during times of economic and geopolitical turmoil.
To find out who owns the most gold in the world, we referred to data from the International Monetary Fund's International Financial Statistics Report.
The 10 Biggest Gold Owners in the World
 |
|||
| Rank | Owner | Tonnes | Share of Foreign Reserves |
| 10 | Netherlands | 612.5 | 61.4% |
The Netherland central bank, De Nederlandsche Bank, oversees the Dutch national finances, including the country's 612.5 tonnes of gold reserves. The Dutch gold is currently worth over $20 billion and accounts for 61.4% of the country's foreign reserves.
 |
|||
| Rank | Owner | Tonnes | Share of Foreign Reserves |
| 9 | Japan | 765.2 | 2.1% |
Although Japan is the ninth largest gold owner in the world, its 765.2 tonnes of the yellow metal account for just 2.1% of the island nation's total foreign reserves. Managed by the Bank of Japan, the country's gold reserves would fetch approximately $25.4 billion on the open market.
 |
|||
| Rank | Owner | Tonnes | Share of Foreign Reserves |
| 8 | Switzerland | 1040.1 | 37.1% |
Conducting Switzerland's monetary policy is the Swiss National Bank, which oversees the country's 1,040.1 tonnes of gold. The gold is believed to be stored in huge underground vaults near the federal Parliament building in Berne, but the Swiss National Bank treats the location of the gold reserves as a secret. With the world's eighth largest reserve of the yellow metal, Switzerland's stockpile would fetch approximately $34.5 billion in today's gold market, accounting for 37.1% of the country's foreign reserves.
The Best Free Investment You'll Ever Make
Stay on top of the hottest investment ideas before they hit Wall Street. Sign up for the Wealth Daily newsletter below. You'll also get our free report, Historic Rare Earth Boom by our resident expert, Ian Cooper.  |
|||
| Rank | Owner | Tonnes | Share of Foreign Reserves |
| 7 | China | 1054.0 | 1.8 |
The world's most populous country also has the world's seventh largest gold reserve. With a population of 1.33 billion, the country holds about $26 worth of gold per person, worth a total of almost $35 billion. The Chinese gold accounts for only 1.8% of the nation's total foreign reserves.
 |
|||
| Rank | Owner | Tonnes | Share of Foreign Reserves |
| 6 | SPDR Gold Shares ETF | 1,120.6 | n/a |
Originally listed on the New York Stock Exchange in 2004, SPDR Gold Shares has been one of the fastest growing ETFs in the world. SPDR Gold Shares now trade on the Singapore Stock Exchange as well as the Tokyo Stock Exchange. All of the Trust’s gold is held by the Custodian, HSBC Bank, in their London vault — except when the gold has been allocated in the vault of a sub-custodian.
 |
|||
| Rank | Owner | Tonnes | Share of Foreign Reserves |
| 5 | France | 2,450.7 | 72.6% |
The Banque De France is responsible for France's gold holdings, which have been reported at about 2,450.7 tonnes by the International Monetary Fund. With the fifth largest gold reserve in the world, France's amount to about $81.3 billion, accounting for 72.6% percent of the country's foreign reserves — the second highest percentage of gold in foreign reserves on our top ten list.
 |
|||
| Rank | Owner | Tonnes | Share of Foreign Reserves |
| 4 | Italy | 2,451.8 | 66.5% |
The Italian National Bank, Banca D'Italia, manages the country's large gold holdings, which account for 66.5% of its foreign reserves. With approximately 2,451.8 tonnes of gold in reserve, Italy's holdings are very close to France's and are also worth approximately $81.3 billion at current prices.
 |
|||
| Rank | Owner | Tonnes | Share of Foreign Reserves |
| 3 | International Monetary Fund |
3,217.3 | n/a |
The International Monetary Fund oversees the global financial system by following the macroeconomic policies of its 185 member countries. It is an organization formed to stabilize international exchange rates and facilitate development and offers highly leveraged loans, mainly to poorer countries.
The IMF's gold policies have changed in the last quarter century, but the reserves remain in place for use in stabilizing international markets and aiding national economies. The IMF's official policy on gold as it is stated on the organization's website is governed by the following principles:
- As an undervalued asset held by the IMF, gold provides fundamental strength to its balance sheet. Any mobilization of IMF gold should avoid weakening its overall financial position.
- The IMF should continue to hold a relatively large amount of gold among its assets, not only for prudential reasons, but also to meet unforeseen contingencies.
- The IMF has a systemic responsibility to avoid causing disruptions to the functioning of the gold market.
- Profits from any gold sales should be used whenever feasible to create an investment fund, of which only the income should be used.
 |
|||
| Rank | Owner | Tonnes | Share of Foreign Reserves |
| 2 | Germany | 3,412.6 | 69.5% |
The Deutsche Bundesbank, Germany's central bank, is the most influential member of the European System of Central Banks. With a hefty 3,412.6 tonnes of gold reserves valued at about $113.2 billion at current prices, Germany's gold accounts for almost 70% of the country's total foreign reserves.
 |
|||
| Rank | Owner | Tonnes | Share of Foreign Reserves |
| 1 | United States |
8,133.5 | 78.3% |
The United States holds the largest gold reserve in the world. With 8,133.5 tonnes, U.S. gold holdings are worth approximately $269.67 billion. This massive gold reserve represents about .9436 an ounce for every person living in the country.
The majority of the American gold is reported to be held in the world-famous United States Bullion Depository in Fort Knox, Kentucky, although there is some controversy that suggests otherwise. The remainder of the U.S. reserves are held at the Philadelphia Mint, the Denver Mint, the West Point Bullion Depository, and the San Francisco Assay Office.
The top ten largest owners of gold in the world are reported to control a total of 24,258.3 tonnes, or over 855 million ounces. At current spot prices, this gold would be worth approximately $804.35 billion and represents about 15.4% of all the gold ever mined.
We continue to urge all Gold World readers to buy and hold both gold and silver in anticipation of significantly higher precious metal prices.
Good Investing,
Luke Burgess
No one should believe "official" figures of gold ownership. Fort Knox hasn't been audited in 50 years. Both Germany and Switzerland are struggling to repatriate 1000 tons each of gold apparently swapped with the USA. BBC-TV carried the Swiss gold story in early 2009.Most central banks will have far less gold than they claim.
You show at least 5 countries hokding in excess of 60%;
That alone equals 300%. I am not sure but that just seems to be funny math!
Can any on
I don't think we have that much gold there.
I found this information very interesting and beautifully illustrated but I cannot believe the US stated holdings. The US government cheat on nearly all statistics which they issue to try to maintain an illusion of power.
I am of the firm opinion that the reason the US broke with the Gold standard is because they could not meet France's demand for payment of debt in Gold. If that is true then it is certain that the US does not hold anywhere near the stated amount. The truth of the matter is this, If the world could find out the real situation of US gold holdings the $US would immediately take on its true value and be worthless. The US government will continue to hide the truth on their real holdings for as long as they possibly can but someday someone will expose this lie like they have with regard to most other issued 'facts'. For evidence of this see 'Shadow Government' statistics wherein one finds the real unemployment, GDP, cost of living and total debt figures.
I find it sad that a country which is reputedly so great is so deceptive and corrup.
If history serves me correct Gold poured into Rome while still a political World Power for about 150 years then as she morphed into a Religio / Political entity for well into a mellenium of time in history the Gold poured into Rome. As evidenced by the few Gallions that sank these carried huge pay loads.
So my question is has anyone counted this powerful asset in this discussion?
Who owns the rest that seems to be undocumented?
It estimates the oz per ton and fudges the #.
It estimates the oz per ton and fudges the #.
In response from the World Gold Council when I queried a certain nation's holding, they admitted they have to take that nation's figures at face value. There is no way to check.
Also, where the gold is stored is no guide as to who actually owns it.
There is such a thing as 'custodial' gold.
Gold is the mose secretive of all markets so ignore all published statistics from whatever the source.
Anyone who knows anything worthwhile about the gold market would know this.
Therefore the writer of such an article is totally naive, and is treating us that way, or it is written intentionally to throw us off scent(deceive)as to who is the most likely owner/controller of the greater quantity of the world's 'real money' used for all international macro trade.