China tops the global reserves chart in 2024, holding nearly three times Japan’s reserves and having 5.53% of its total reserves as gold reserves

Key takeaways:

  • China leads all nations with total reserves of $3.46 trillion while holding 5.53% of its share in gold reserves.
  • The top 15 countries collectively hold a total reserve of $10.78 trillion.
  • Despite being the global leader in gold reserves, the United States ranks third in total reserves.
  • The largest share of the United States' total reserves is from its gold reserve holdings of 74.97%.
  • Countries in the top fifteen list hold at least $236.9 billion each in total reserves.
  • The United States, France, and Italy have more than 70% of their total reserve holdings in gold.

In 2024, China firmly established itself as the global leader in total reserves, with a staggering $3.46 trillion, nearly three times the holdings of the second-largest reserve holder (Japan). The United States, despite having the largest share of its total reserve holdings in gold, ranked third in overall reserves, just ahead of Switzerland's holdings of $909.37 billion.

The top fifteen countries held a minimum total reserve of $236.93 billion, with most countries holding a gold share ranging from 2% to 10% aside from France, Italy, and the United States, that have more than 70% of their total reserves in gold.

Source:

Central Banks, Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis, International Monetary Fund, World Bank, World Gold Council

Period:

2024
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