World Gold Council revises down central bank gold purchases for early 2026

Central banks bought far less gold than expected in the first three months of 2026, the World Gold Council said in July. Earlier figures showed much higher purchases, but revised data puts the total at just 57 tons. That is 187 tons lower than the first estimate. It was the weakest start to a year for central bank gold buying in more than ten years.

However, buying recovered strongly in the second quarter. Central banks purchased a record 289 tons between April and June. Poland bought the most, with 51 tons in Q2 alone. China added 33 tons in the same period.

Despite the Q2 rebound, total central bank gold purchases for 2026 are expected to finish below 2025 levels.