1. United States
Value of Reserves: $387.32 billion
Holdings Total: 8,965.6 tons
The United States Bullion Depository in Kentucky — otherwise known as
Fort Knox — is the most famous gold stockpile in the world. It holds
the majority of the nation's gold reserves, the remainder of which is
held at the Philadelphia Mint, the Denver Mint, the West Point Bullion
Depository and the San Francisco Assay Office.
Altogether, the total gold reserves of the United States equal 8,965.6
tons and would be valued at approximately $387.32 billion in today's
market.
2. Germany
Value of Reserves: $161.99 billion
Holdings Total: 3,749.8 tons
The Deutsche Bundesbank, Germany's central bank, has 3,749.8 tons of
gold reserves, which are valued at about $161.99 billion. According to
the World Gold Council, Germany's gold coffers account for 70.3
percent of total foreign reserves.
3. International Monetary Fund (IMF)
Value of Reserves: $135.56 billion
Holdings Total: 3,137.9 tons
The IMF oversees international economic operations of 185 member
countries. Its gold policies have changed in the last 25 years, but
the reserves remain to stabilize international markets and aid
national economies.
In one such instance, it sold a portion of its reserves in December
1999 to aid the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) Initiative. The
3,137.9 tons of IMF Gold would fetch roughly $135.5 billion in today's
market.
4. Italy
Value of Reserves: $116.75 billion
Holdings Total: 2,702.6 tons
The Banca D'Italia manages Italy's foreign reserves, which have been
reported at 2,702.6 tons by the World Gold Council and comprise the
fourth largest gold reserve in the world.
These holdings are worth $116.75 billion and account for 68.6 percent
of the country's foreign reserves.
5. France
Value of Reserves: $115.97 billion
Holdings Total: 2,684.6 tons
The French National Bank, Banque De France, is home to the country's
gold holdings, which comprise 67.2 percent of its foreign reserves.
With 2,684.6 tons of gold in reserve, France's holdings are worth
approximately $115.97 billion.
6. China
Value of Reserves: $50.19 billion
Holdings Total: 1,161.9 tons
At 1,161.9 tons, the world's most heavily populated country has the
world's sixth largest gold reserve. Expect it to be higher? Well, bear
in mind that China's gold only accounts for 1.7 percent of its foreign
reserves. With a population of 1.34 billion, the country holds about
$37.45 worth of gold per person, totaling $50.19 billion.
7. Switzerland
Value of Reserves: $49.53 billion
Holdings Total: 1,146.5 tons
The Swiss National Bank conducts Switzerland's monetary policy and
manages the country's 1,146.5 tons of gold.
With the world's seventh largest reserve of the precious metal,
Switzerland's supply is worth approximately $49.53 billion in today's
gold market, accounting for 16.4 percent of the country's foreign
reserves. This proportion is down significantly from a year earlier.
8. Russia
Value of Reserves: $36.91 billion
Holdings Total: 854.5 tons
The Central Bank of the Russian Federation is in charge of the
country's 854.5 tons of gold, which are valued at $36.91 billion and
comprise 6.7% of the country's foreign reserves.
In 2009 Russia increased its gold production by 21%, due in part to
the launch of several new mines, and this past year overcame Japan in
total holdings, adding over 140 tons to its stockpile in 2010 alone.
9. Japan
Value of Reserves: $36.43 billion
Holdings Total: 843.5 tons
Although Japan is ninth on the list, its 843.5 tons of gold account
for only 3 percent of total foreign reserves. On the open market,
Japan's gold reserves are worth around $36.43 billion, and are
overseen by the Bank of Japan.
10. Netherlands
Value of Reserves: $29.67 billion
Holdings Total: 675.2 tons
The Netherlands has the tenth largest reserve on the list with 675.2
tons of gold. The Netherland Bank manages the country's national
finances, including the gold reserves, which amount to approximately
$26.67 billion and account for 57.5 percent of the country's foreign
reserves.
11. India
Value of Reserves: $26.56 billion
Holdings Total: 614.8 tons
Shooting up in the rankings in the past years is India. The second
most populous nation in the world maintains the eleventh largest gold
reserves. The size of India's holdings were bolstered in November 2009
by a $6.9 billion purchase of 200 tons of gold from the IMF.
The Reserve Bank of India oversees the country's 614.8 tons of gold,
which are valued at $26.56 billion, comprising 8.1% of its foreign
reserves. India's current ranking may also continue to move upwards,
as the government has asked the Geological Survey of India to mine the
previously untapped gold reserves in many of its states.
12. European Central Bank (ECB)
Value of Reserves: $23.88 billion
Holdings Total: 522.7 tons
Established in 1998 by the European Union, the European Central Bank
is responsible for the monetary policy of the member nations of the
Eurozone and is headquartered in Frankfurt, Germany.
The ECB's 522.7 tons of gold accounts for 25.2 percent of the bank's
foreign reserves and would be worth $23.88 billion in today's market.
13. Taiwan
Value of Reserves: $20.17 billion
Holdings Total: 466.9 tons
Renowned for its technology industry and robust economic growth,
Taiwan also boasts one of the largest gold reserves in the world.
The Central Bank of the Republic of China (Taiwan) manages the island
nation's foreign reserves, which have been reported at 466.9 tons.
These holdings are worth $20.17 billion at today's prices and comprise
approximately 4.6 percent of the country's foreign reserves.
14. Portugal
Value of Reserves: $18.21 billion
Holdings Total: 421.6 tons
The westernmost nation in mainland Europe is home to the fourteenth
largest gold reserve in the world. At 421.6 tons, Portugal's holdings
are overseen by Banco de Portugal and are worth roughly $18.21
billion, accounting for 81.1 percent of the country's foreign
reserves.
15. Venezuela
Value of Reserves: $17.33 billion
Holdings Total: 401.1 tons
Banco Central de Venezuela manages the 401.1 tons of gold in the
country's reserves, which amount to approximately $17.33 billion,
representing 52.4 percent of the country's foreign reserves.
Although Venezuela currently has the fifteenth on the list, it has
been increasing its holdings since 2009, when president Hugo Chavez
introduced new policies to promote gold extraction and boost the
country's ranking.
