How India buys its gold (2024)

Led by buying, by approximately 400,000 local jewellers, to cater to the demand for the wedding season, gold prices again went past the Rs 29,500 mark for 10 grams, peaking at Rs 29,665 in the bullion market. Weddings in fact constitute almost a fourth of gold jewellery purchases in India, followed by birthdays and religious festivals.

How India buys its gold (1)

According to a report earlier this year by the World Gold Council (WGC), a one per cent rise in income level leads to a one per cent rise in gold demand. Close to three fourths of Indians own gold in some form or the other, compared to barely three out of five people in the US.

How India buys its gold (2)

Expectedly, rural folks in India put a greater trust in gold as an asset than their urban counterparts, with many of them in the younger age groups preferring to spend their discretionary income on fashion and technology products than gold. In fact, the WGC report cites that if given Rs 50,000 to spend, only 33 per cent in the 18-33 age group will buy gold jewellery, compared to 42 per cent in the 34 & above age group.

How India buys its gold (3)

Bridal jewellery dominates the market, with more than half of jewellery sold falling in that category.

How India buys its gold (4)

Among every five jewellery items sold, four items would comprise bangles & chains, of not more than 20 grams.

How India buys its gold (5)

Of course, no prizes for guessing which bride comes laden with the most gold - an average Malayalee upper middle class bride will have nearly twice as much gold on her than her Gujarati counterpart.

How India buys its gold (6)

How India buys its gold (2024)

FAQs

How India buys its gold? ›

In 2009, India had bought 200 tonnes of gold from the International Monetary Fund, after which it has been buying the precious commodity from the secondary market as part of its foreign exchange asset diversification efforts.

Why is India buying so much gold? ›

Historically, India has been one of the largest consumers of gold globally, both for cultural reasons and as a store of value. The RBI periodically purchases gold to diversify its reserves and mitigate risks associated with fluctuations in currency values and other economic factors.

Where did India get gold? ›

Karnataka is the largest producer of gold in India. Karnataka produces 80% of the gold in India. It is known as the 'Land of Gold'. Kolar Gold Fields is the largest gold mine in the country and is located in Kolar.

Who controls gold reserves in India? ›

As per RBI's annual data, the central held held 822.10 tonnes worth of gold as a part of its foreign exchange reserves as of March 31, 2024. This was up from 794.63 tonnes held during the same period last year.

Why does RBI move gold to India? ›

Central banks globally have been increasing reserves held in gold, often seen as a hedge against currency volatility and geopolitical risks. The RBI decided to move gold to India as the stock was building up overseas, the TOI reported.

Why do Indians wear 22k gold? ›

Often regarded as the epitome of purity, durability, and value, 22 Karat gold is the preferred choice for crafting Indian gold necklaces, earrings, and bangles.

Why do Indians have so much gold? ›

Spiritual Importance. Gold has been deeply ingrained in various aspects of Indian culture and society for centuries, mainly because gold in India is considered sacred. Five major faiths are practiced in India, all using gold in some form of worship, ritual, or dress.

Why gold in India is different? ›

The most crucial factor is the local market conditions in each city. Demand and supply of gold, as well as other local economic factors, play a role in determining gold rates. In addition, each city has its own goldsmiths and jewellers, who may charge different rates for their services.

Who supplies gold to India? ›

Detailed Solution. The correct answer is Switzerland.

Who is the largest producer of gold in the world? ›

China – 368.3 tonnes

China is the largest global gold producer, accounting for 11% of production worldwide. In recent years, the levels of gold reserves decreased from 383 tonnes to 368.3 tonnes.

Which country has the best gold in the world? ›

China: is the world's largest gold producer, and its gold is known for its high purity. The gold produced in China is usually between 18 and 24 karats, with some mines producing gold that is 99.99% pure. Russia: is one of the largest gold-producing countries in the world, and its gold is known for its high purity.

Who owns the most gold in the world? ›

The United States has the most gold reserves and has nearly as many reserves as the combined total of the next three countries with the largest gold holdings: Germany, Italy, and France.

In which country is gold most expensive? ›

However, the cost of gold varies in different countries due to several factors such as taxes, customs duties, and currency exchange rates. Some of the countries where gold is considered expensive are Singapore, Switzerland, and Hong Kong.

Why India imports so much gold? ›

India is the world's second-biggest gold consumer after China. The imports mainly take care of the demand by the jewellery industry. The gems and jewellery exports during the period dipped by 16.16 per cent to USD 24.3 billion.

Do Indian banks buy gold? ›

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has increased its gold purchases to enhance the diversity of its foreign exchange reserves amid fluctuations in the US dollar.

Is money in India backed by gold? ›

All banknotes issued by RBI are backed by assets such as gold, Government Securities and Foreign Currency Assets, as defined in Section 33 of RBI Act, 1934. 1.

Why gold price going high in India? ›

Gold price rate is increasing due to numerous elements, including speculation, central bank purchases, Fall in Dollar Index, Chinese Demand and anticipations of a U.S. interest rate decrease. In this article, our focus will be to understand why the gold prices are increasing and what will be its overall impact.

Why gold is so expensive in India? ›

The recent rise in gold prices in India stems from a combination of global and domestic factors: Adjustment to Higher Global Prices: Gold prices worldwide have been climbing, and the Indian market is aligning with this trend. Domestic prices naturally tend to reflect movements in international benchmarks.

Do Indians buy a lot of gold? ›

India is already the world's largest democracy and is second only to China in gold consumption, with 849 metric tons against China's 984 metric tons, respectively. India is almost certain to surpass China in gold consumption due to its growing population and economic growth.

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