It’s no surprise that gold is valuable — it has been for centuries. Throughout the world, countries have been stockpiling bars and coins of gold to have as a reserve. Here are the top 10 countries with the most gold reserves.
As of the end of 2018, the United States has the most gold reserves, with 8133 tonnes. Germany, the world’s second largest economy, comes close with a reserve of 3369 tonnes. The third largest is the International Monetary Fund, which is headquartered in Washington D.C. and has 2890 tonnes of gold. Italy is fourth with 2451 tonnes of gold. Other countries that make up the top 10 list include France, China, Russia, Switzerland, Japan, and the Netherlands.
When looking at how much gold each country has in terms of net reserves, the U.S. has the greatest amount, totaling 8133 tonnes. The countries that follow the U.S. are Germany, the International Monetary Fund, Italy, France, and Germany with a total of 7383 tonnes.
The U.K. is the world’s 21st most populated country. However, it also is home to the eighth largest gold reserves, clocking in at 310 tonnes. The Netherlands is also high on the list with 612 tonnes. Other countries on the list include China, India, Switzerland, and Turkey.
The gold reserves of these top countries are impressive, yet the way gold is stored and used differs from country to country. For instance, the U.S. has most of its gold stored in Fort Knox, and the gold is used to support the nation’s currency system. Meanwhile, Germany has much of its gold stored abroad in various locations, but the purpose of the gold is to ensure the stability of the country’s economy.
The top 10 countries with the highest gold reserves are a testament to the enduring value of gold, not just as a resource but as a symbol for wealth and economic stability. As countries continue to stockpile more of the precious metal, these top 10 countries are bound to provide support to their respective economies for years to come.
