The most recent compilation of official-sector gold holdings by the World Gold Council shows the world’s central banks and international finance agencies holding slightly less gold compared with year-end figures.
Total holdings in official hands at the end of March were 32,915 tonnes, down from 33,050 tonnes at the end of December 2000. Gold held by signatories to the Washington Agreement of September 1999 decreased slightly, to 15,497 tonnes from 15,603, reflecting sales from the Bank of England. The euro remains the major currency most heavily backed by gold, with 12,571 tonnes held by the European Central Bank and by central banks of the Euro countries. The United States holds about 8,137 tonnes (56% of its foreign currency reserves), and Canada remains the grisliest of the gold bears, holding only 37 tonnes that represent 1% of its reserves.
Share of
HolderTonnesreserves
1. U.S.8136.956.0%
2. Germany3468.634.1%
3. IMF3217.0n/a
4. France3024.641.0%
5. Italy2451.844.9%
6. Switzerland2403.240.3%
7. Netherlands911.8 44.6%
8. Japan763.51.8%
9. ECB766.915.5%
10. Portugal606.736.7%
11. Spain523.412.6%
12. UK462.28.6%
13. Taiwan410.23.1%
14. China395.02.0%
15. Russia388.711.3%
16. Austria377.518.3%
17. India357.87.4%
18. Venezuela320.117.2%
19. Lebanon286.829.0%
20. Belgium258.118.0%
21. P.hilippines224.812.8%
22. BIS203.3n/a
23. Sweden185.410.1%
24. South Africa183.520.4%
25. Algeria173.610.9%
26. Libya143.810.1%
27. Saudi Arabia143.05.7%
28. Singapore124.51.3%
29. Greece124.47.3%
30. Turkey116.34.7%
31. Romania104.918.5%
32. Poland102.83.2%
33. Indonesia96.53.5%
34. Australia79.73.6%
35. Kuwait79.07.5%
36. Egypt75.64.7%
37. Thailand73.61.9%
38. Denmark66.63.8%
39. Pakistan65.026.8%
40. Brazil58.91.5%
41. Kazakhstan57.223.4%
42. Finland49.05.0%
43. Slovak Rep40.17.8%
44. Canada36.81.0%
45. Norway36.80.2%
46. Malaysia36.41.1%
47. Peru34.23.4%
48. Uruguay33.610.5%
49. Bulgaria32.17.5%
50. Bolivia29.227.2%
51. Syria25.9n/a
52. Morocco22.03.7%
53. Neths Antilles17.043.0%
54. Zimbabwe15.141.1%
55. El Salvador14.66.1%
56. Cyprus14.46.3%
57. Ukraine14.17.5%
58. Czech Republic13.90.9%
59. Korea13.70.1%
60. Ecuador12.912.8%
61. Jordan12.53.1%
62. Colombia10.21.0%
63. Oman9.03.4%
64. Ghana8.726.6%
65. Latvia7.77.5%
66. Mexico7.50.2%
67. Myanmar7.218.5%
68. Tunisia6.85.8%
69. Guatemala6.53.1%
70. Lithuania5.83.7%
71. Ireland5.50.9%
72. Nepal4.82.5%
73. Bahrain4.72.5%
74. Macedonia3.53.0%
75. Albania3.57.7%
76. Bangladesh3.42.0%
77. Hungary3.10.2%
78. Aruba3.111.3%
79. Mongolia2.611.2%
80. Kyrgyz Rep.2.68.4%
81. Luxembourg2.420.8%
82. Chile2.30.1%
83. Hong Kong2.10.0%
84. Sri Lanka1.91.6%
85. Mauritius1.92.0%
86. Trinidad/Tobago1.9n/a
87. Iceland1.83.9%
88. Armenia1.43.6%
Source: World Gold Institute
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