• Source:JND

World’s Top 10 Central Banks With Highest Gold Reserves: Gold has been regarded as a sign of security and prosperity for centuries. Many nations still depend on their gold reserves in 2025 to strengthen their currencies and economies. Thousands of tons of gold are kept in extremely secure vaults by central banks all over the world. These reserves are a significant asset for global financial stability in addition to serving as a safety net for the economy in unpredictable times. Every year, nations from the US to India keep accumulating and expanding their gold reserves.

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) is making headlines recently as it shows its gold vaults to the public for the first time. In a unique and historic move, the RBI made its enormous gold reserves visible to the public through a special documentary that was only available on JioCinema and Disney+ Hotstar. Viewers were able to see inside the high-security rooms where India's gold is kept in Nagpur and other RBI offices thanks to this behind-the-scenes video.

India currently ranks among the top nations with the largest gold reserves, and this bold step by the RBI has sparked interest in the gold reserves of other major economies. Let’s take a look at the top 10 central banks in the world with the highest gold reserves in 2025, and understand why these gold vaults remain one of the most guarded and valuable assets on the planet.

 Rank  Largest Gold Reserves  Bank  Total Gold (in tonnes) (As of May 2025)
  1.  United States  Federal Reserve Bank of New York  8133.5  tonnes
  2.  Germany  The Deutsche Bundesbank  3350.3 tonnes
  3.  IMF  International Monetary Fund  2814 tonnes
  4.  Italy  Banca d'Italia  2451.8 tonnes
  5.  France  Banque de France  2437 tonnes
  6.  Russia Federation  The Central Bank of Russia  2329.6 tonnes
  7.  China  People's Bank of China (PBoC)  2296.4 tonnes
  8.  Switzerland  Swiss National Bank (SNB)  1039.9 tonnes
  9.  India  Reserve Bank of India (RBI)  879.6 tonnes
  10.   Japan  The Bank of Japan (BoJ)  846.0 tonnes

Source: World Gold Council Organisation

1. United States

worlds top 10 central banks with highest gold reserves (1)

World's 10 largest gold reserve holders (Image: Canva)

With 8,133.5 tonnes, the United States has the world's largest gold reserves. Its gold is mostly kept in a vault 80 feet below street level at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. Surveillance, armed guards, and a huge 140-ton steel cylinder guard this high-security vault. Strict guidelines are followed, and only a select few are permitted entry.

2. Germany

The majority of Germany's gold is kept in Frankfurt, though some is also kept in New York and London. These 3,350.3 tonnes of gold reserves are held in extremely secure vaults under constant surveillance by the Deutsche Bundesbank. Germany began transporting some gold back to Frankfurt in response to public demands for transparency. With motion detectors, biometric access, and frequent audits, the bank guarantees complete security.

3. International Monetary Fund (IMF)

Despite not being a nation, but a kind of bank, the IMF has the third-largest gold reserves. Trusted central banks like the Bank of England and the U.S. Federal Reserve hold their gold. Protected by international agreements and advanced security systems, this gold is held in some of the safest vaults in the world and is managed for global financial stability.

 

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4. Italy

Italy’s 2,451.8 tonnes of gold are mainly stored in Rome and at the Bank of Italy’s gold vaults in other locations. The vaults are underground, and access is strictly controlled. The Banca d'Italia bank makes sure that gold is securely safeguarded with layers of cutting-edge monitoring and armed security because Italy sees it as a store of trust.

5. France

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World's 10 largest gold reserve holders (Image: Canva)

France's gold reserves are kept in a unique, high-security facility located beneath La Souterraine, a vault that holds 2,437 tonnes of gold managed by the Banque de France bank in Paris. It is regarded as one of Europe's oldest and safest underground vaults. The gold is always protected by electronic locks, armoured doors, and surveillance cameras.

6. Russia

Russia stores its massive gold holdings mostly in Moscow in secret, heavily guarded vaults. The Central Bank of Russia manages 2,329.6 tonnes of gold reserves of Russia and maintains high secrecy about exact locations, but the vaults are known for having strong military-style protection, with guards, armoured transport and advanced electronic surveillance systems.

7. China

China’s 2,296.4 tonnes of gold reserves are controlled by the People’s Bank of China (PBoC) and are mostly stored in secretive and secure vaults across the country. Although the precise locations are unknown, a significant portion is thought to be held in Beijing and Shanghai. Government supervision and the newest technology provide strong protection for the vaults.

8. Switzerland

Switzerland holds 1039.9 tonnes of gold, which are kept in high-security vaults and underground bunkers throughout the nation, particularly in Zurich and the Swiss Alps. The Swiss National Bank is known for its strong privacy and safety standards. These vaults are guarded by security personnel, multi-level biometric systems, and thick concrete walls.

 

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9. India

RBI shows its gold reserve vaults (1)

RBI's gold reserve vaults (Image: Jiohotstar)

India made a historic move in June 2025 by showing its gold vaults to the public for the first time through a documentary on JioCinema and Disney+ Hotstar. The Reserve Bank of India, which holds 879.6 tonnes of gold, stores it in Nagpur, Mumbai, and other RBI offices. These vaults are underground, heavily guarded, and protected by multi-layered security, including armed police, sensors and restricted access zones.

10. Japan

Japan’s gold is held by the Bank of Japan in ultra-secure vaults beneath Tokyo. These vaults are monitored constantly and protected by high-level security, including surveillance cameras, controlled access, and strong structural design. Japan treats its 846.0 tonnes of gold reserves as a key part of its national wealth and financial security.