RIYADH: Gold is becoming an increasingly deliberate component of central bank reserve strategies as geopolitical tensions, concerns over the concentration of assets in the US dollar, and questions surrounding the resilience of traditional holdings reshape official-sector thinking, analysts told Arab News. Their comments came after a World Gold Council survey revealed a record appetite among reserve managers to increase bullion holdings, underscoring gold’s growing role as a strategic asset in an evolving global economic landscape. For the Gulf, the findings land at a sensitive moment.

World Gold Council states about nine in 10 central banks will increase holdings as de-dollarisation trend continues amid global instability.

World Gold Council states about nine in 10 central banks will increase holdings as de-dollarisation trend continues amid global instability.

84% of survey respondents see such holdings increasing in next five years

A record 43% of central banks plan to increase gold reserves, with 95% expecting global holdings to rise. Here's what it means for gold prices and

Central banks step up gold buying as confidence in the US dollar wanes, reshaping global reserves and supporting bullion prices amid geopolitical uncertainty.

According to the survey, 89% of respondents expect total global foreign exchange and gold reserves to increase over the next year

A record number of central banks are expected to increase their gold holdings over the next 12 months as global volatility continues.

RIYADH: Gold is becoming an increasingly deliberate component of central bank reserve strategies as geopolitical tensions, concerns over the concentration of assets in the US…

Central banks plan to increase gold reserves amid economic uncertainty, with 89% expecting higher holdings in the next year.

Central banks are repatriating gold at record pace, with 59% now storing reserves domestically as gold holdings surpass US Treasuries for the first time.

A record 45 percent of the reserve managers surveyed by the World Gold Council, up 2 percentage points from a year ago, expect to increase their own institutions’ gold holdings…

Central banks purchased 244 tonnes of gold in Q1 2026 as 45% plan to grow reserves further. Poland and China lead buying while storage shifts to domestic

Central banks remain very positive on gold, highlighting its significance amid a volatile geopolitical and economic environment...

Central banks expect gold reserves to rise and more are storing bullion at home amid geopolitical and currency risks.

The precious metal remains a 'reliable store of wealth', World Gold Council report finds