Total global gold demand reached a record value of $193 billion in the first quarter of 2026, a 74 percent increase year-over-year, according to the World Gold Council's Gold Demand Trends Q1 2026 report. Volume demand reached 1,231 tonnes, a 2 percent annual increase, with the value surge driven by gold's exceptional price performance over the period.

Bar and coin investment demand hit 474 tonnes in Q1, a 42 percent increase year-over-year and the second highest quarterly total on record. Asian investors led the buying, with China's bar and coin demand surging 67 percent year-over-year to a record 207 tonnes. Bar purchases alone totaled 397.7 tonnes, up 50 percent from the same quarter last year.

The LBMA Gold Price averaged $4,873 per troy ounce during Q1 2026, setting a new quarterly average record. The price reached a historical high of $5,405 per ounce in January before a notable correction during the quarter.

Central banks purchased 244 tonnes on a net basis in Q1, a 3 percent increase year-over-year. Technology sector demand edged 1 percent higher to 82 tonnes, supported by continued growth in artificial intelligence infrastructure components that use gold in connectors and circuit applications.

Jewellery demand declined 23 percent by volume to 335 tonnes amid record high gold prices, though jewellery spending increased 31 percent, reflecting continued consumer willingness to pay premium prices at elevated valuations.

Source: World Gold Council -- https://www.gold.org/goldhub/research/gold-demand-trends/gold-demand-trends-q1-2026