Register For Our Mailing List

Register to receive our free weekly newsletter including editorials.

Gold Demand Trends: Q4 and Full Year 2025

Groundbreaking year for gold

Demand volumes and the gold price both smash records

Total gold demand in 2025, including OTC, exceeded 5,000t for the first time. Combined with the record-breaking run in the gold price – setting 53 new all-time highs during the year – this yielded an unprecedented value of US$555bn (+45% y/y).

Heightened investment activity drove overall demand growth: global gold ETF holdings grew 801t – the second strongest year on record – while bar and coin buying accelerated to reach a 12-year high.

Safe-haven and diversification motives were consistent themes driving investment interest throughout the year, along with price-driven motivations. 

Central bank purchases of 863t reached the upper end of our expected 2025 range; they remain historically elevated and geographically widespread but have slowed from their recent pace.

A decline in jewellery demand volumes was entirely expected in the environment of successive record gold price highs. Sentiment towards gold jewellery, however, remained very positive, as evidenced by the value of global demand, which climbed 18% to a record US$172bn.

Technology demand was stable despite disruption in the consumer electronics space, supported by continued growth in AI-related applications. 

Highlights

  • The LBMA (PM) gold price set 53 new all-time highs during 2025. The average Q4 price was a record US$4,135/oz (+55% y/y), resulting in the highest annual average of US$3,431/oz (+44% y/y).
  • Total annual gold supply grew by 1%. Initial estimates suggest mine production inched up to a new record of 3,672t. Recycling activity gained 3% to 1,404t – a relatively muted response to a 67% increase in the US dollar gold price.
  • Demand also set a Q4 record. Total quarterly demand of 1,303t was the highest ever for a fourth quarter, lifted by hefty ETF inflows (175t) and a 12-year high in bar and coin buying (420t).
  • Outlook
    Looking to the year ahead, with continued geopolitical tensions we expect another year of strong gold ETF inflows and robust bar and coin demand, underpinned by elevated central bank buying. Jewellery to remain weak in a persistent high price environment.

Download the full paper

 

  •   29 January 2026
  •      
  •   

 

Leave a Comment:

banner

Most viewed in recent weeks

Noel Whittaker’s take on the budget

Marketed as a fix for inequality and housing affordability, the latest budget instead delivers a tangle of tax changes that leave everyday Australians worse off.

Australia has no death duties. Technically.

Australia may not levy formal death duties, but a growing web of tax measures is quietly shaping what wealth passes between generations. Now, the 2026 budget adds another layer.

Lithium's rally is real this time – but no-one trusts it

The lithium rally mirrors the early-2010s tech stock surge, with demand set to double by 2030. Supply has been slow to respond, creating a market deficit for future tech like humanoid robotics and solid-state batteries.

Welcome to Firstlinks Edition 662 with weekend update

The debate over the budget is increasingly shaped by frustration and perceptions of unfairness, rather than clear-eyed assessment of policy outcomes.

How inflation is quietly moving the goalposts on retirement

Inflation doesn’t just raise today’s bills - it quietly increases the amount needed to retire, while simultaneously making it harder to save. Three steps to take before June 30th to improve retirement outcomes.

How to minimise tax with a will

Inheritance tax implications in Australia may surprise some, as poor estate planning without proper wills or trusts can lead to costly tax bills and delays for beneficiaries.

Latest Updates

SMSF strategies

Meg on SMSFs: The CGT changes don’t impact super but what about Div 296 tax decisions?

New CGT rules could tip the scales in the super vs non-super debate. For those facing the Division 296 tax, the case for withdrawing has gotten more complex. A "comparison rate" tool may help assess decisions.

Planning

Testamentary trusts post-budget: Estate planning, tax reform and the ‘death tax’ debate

Proposed Budget changes to taxation are casting new uncertainty over testamentary trusts, prompting closer scrutiny of estate planning structures and the real implications of reforms still taking shape.

Taxation

Income tax and bracket creep

Examining how five "tax cuts" stack up against bracket creep. Why offsets and incremental changes may do little to ease rising average tax burdens, compared to structural reform through indexation over time.  

Exchange traded products

The limits of a quality investing approach in Australia

Quality strategies shine globally, but Australia's concentrated market tells a different story. Limited diversification and sector dominance can constrain the defensive outcomes investors have seen in broader markets.

Investment strategies

Balancing opportunity and complexity

As private markets expand, investors face a growing mix of structures, a stabilising private equity cycle and uneven AI disruption. Fresh questions are being raised about where the real opportunities now sit.

Investment strategies

Why strong returns matter as much as generosity

As EOFY approaches, structured giving offers a tax-effective way to support charities, while allowing donations to grow over time and play a longer-term role in family wealth and legacy planning outcomes.

Investment strategies

The most important investment decision you’ll ever make

Stock picking often gets the spotlight, but research shows asset allocation explains the vast majority of long‑term returns. Understanding your mix of growth and defensive assets is the real key to investment success.

Sponsors

Alliances

© 2026 Morningstar, Inc. All rights reserved.

Disclaimer
The data, research and opinions provided here are for information purposes; are not an offer to buy or sell a security; and are not warranted to be correct, complete or accurate. Morningstar, its affiliates, and third-party content providers are not responsible for any investment decisions, damages or losses resulting from, or related to, the data and analyses or their use. To the extent any content is general advice, it has been prepared for clients of Morningstar Australasia Pty Ltd (ABN: 95 090 665 544, AFSL: 240892), without reference to your financial objectives, situation or needs. For more information refer to our Financial Services Guide. You should consider the advice in light of these matters and if applicable, the relevant Product Disclosure Statement before making any decision to invest. Past performance does not necessarily indicate a financial product’s future performance. To obtain advice tailored to your situation, contact a professional financial adviser. Articles are current as at date of publication.
This website contains information and opinions provided by third parties. Inclusion of this information does not necessarily represent Morningstar’s positions, strategies or opinions and should not be considered an endorsement by Morningstar.