GLOBAL gold demand, including over-the-counter trading, rose two per cent year on year to 1,231 tonnes in the first quarter of 2026, an industry report said Wednesday. Global demand for gold bars and coins increased 42 per cent year on year to 474 tonnes, marking the second-highest quarter on record, with Asian investors hoovering up gold investment products, according to the report released by the World Gold Council.
According to the report, jewellery consumption stood at 300 tonnes, down 23 per cent, but the levels of spending increased 31 per cent, signalling continued positive sentiment towards gold jewellery.
Central banks continued to purchase gold, with global gold reserves rising by 244 tonnes in the first quarter of the year, according to the council. Demand for gold used in technology edged one per cent higher to 82 tonnes, fuelled largely by the continued growth in AI infrastructure, according to the report.
Xinhua
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