How Central Banks Decide How Much Gold to Hold

The World Gold Council’s 2026 survey asked 76 central banks how they decide how much gold to hold. The answer comes down to three objectives: safety, liquidity, and return — in that order. Here’s what that framework looks like in practice, why a record 45% of central banks plan to increase their allocation this year, and why the same logic applies to individual investors.
72% of Family Offices Hold No Gold. What They’re Missing.

Nearly three-quarters of the world’s most sophisticated investors hold no gold. The reasons are psychological, structural, and surprisingly relevant to your own portfolio decisions.
