Estimated Official Gold Buying Reaches 321 Metric Tons in Q3 2026

The World Gold Council released Gold Demand Trends: Q3 2026 on Nov. 3 as estimated net buying by central banks and other official institutions reached 321 metric tons, the highest quarterly total since Q4 2024.

Global physically backed gold exchange-traded funds (ETFs) took in a net 211 metric tons during the quarter. Their total holdings reached a record 4,256 metric tons. The quarter also brought a record $31 billion in gold ETF inflows. The inflow measures gold added during the quarter; holdings measure the total held by funds.

Over-the-counter and other gold demand totaled 143 metric tons, up from 101 metric tons in Q3 2025. That was a year-over-year increase, though the total was below about 305 metric tons in Q2 2026.

The 321-metric-ton official buying figure is an estimate. Disclosed country-level net purchases totaled 120 metric tons for the quarter. Estimated net buying by central banks and other official institutions reached 675 metric tons over the first three quarters, 6% above the comparable 2025 period.