Istanbul:Total global gold demand, including over-the-counter (OTC) transactions, nearly equaled record highs during the first nine months of this year, reaching 3,881 tons and pushing the overall market value to an all-time peak of $566 billion.
According to Anadolu Agency – English, in the third quarter of 2026, gold demand, including OTC transactions, decreased slightly by 1% compared with the same period last year, totaling 1,369 tons. This dip was highlighted in a report by the World Gold Council.
Central banks significantly contributed to gold purchases in the third quarter, with acquisitions rising to 321 tons, surpassing recent quarterly averages. This activity increased year-to-date official purchases by 6% annually, reaching 675 tons. Additionally, global gold exchange-traded funds (ETFs) reversed their previous quarter's outflows by adding 211 tons in response to concerns over fiscal sustainability and persistent inflation.
Investment demand for gold bars and coins fell 19% year-on-year to 268 tons, as investors hesitated to buy, awaiting more stable price forecasts. Jewelry purchases worldwide decreased by 17% from last year to 313 tons, the lowest third-quarter total in historical data, due to high prices affecting consumer interest. Despite this, the total value of jewelry demand rose 2% year-on-year to $43 billion in the third quarter.
Region-specific data showed a 20% decline in Indian gold jewelry consumption to 100 tons, an 18% drop in US jewelry demand to 21 tons, and an 11% decrease in European purchases to 11 tons. In contrast, Turkey's gold jewelry demand showed resilience, dropping only 4% annually to 7 tons.
The tech-sector's gold usage increased by 3% year-on-year in the third quarter, driven by rising manufacturing needs for artificial intelligence (AI) components, despite the challenge posed by high gold prices. The World Gold Council anticipates that investor interest will continue to drive market growth in 2026, with central bank purchases expected to match or exceed the levels seen in 2025.