How Gold Performs in Recessions: What History Tells Us 

Gold has a centuries-long reputation as a safe haven during economic turmoil — but does the historical data back it up? From the Great Depression to the 2008 financial crisis and the COVID-19 recession, gold has consistently preserved wealth when equity markets faltered. This article examines the data behind gold’s recession performance, compares it against stocks across major downturns, and explains what history tells us about using gold as a portfolio hedge before the next recession arrives.