How Much Gold Is in the World 2025 — Global Stock, Reserves & Implications
Understanding how much gold is in the world is key for investors, policymakers, and the mining sector. As of 2025, the above-ground stock, known reserves, and mine production offer a detailed picture of gold’s global supply. This article breaks down the latest data, explores uses of gold, and features a company spotlight on ORO Mineral Co., Ltd..
Overview – what “how much gold is in the world” covers
When we ask how much gold is in the world, we generally refer to three main categories:
- Gold that has been mined and is above ground.
- Known mineable gold reserves still underground.
- Estimated gold resources and undiscovered deposits.
This article uses data from the World Gold Council (WGC) and the United States Geological Survey (USGS) to illustrate the latest figures and how they inform our understanding of global supply.
Above-Ground Stock of Gold
The most widely cited figure for the total amount of gold ever mined is from the World Gold Council: as of end-2024 the above-ground stock stood at approximately 216,265 tonnes.
To visualise this, imagine a cube of gold roughly 22 metres on each side — that is the volume of all the gold ever mined and still in existence.
Breakdown of Above-Ground Stock
According to the latest data:
- Jewellery: ~97,149 t (≈45%)
- Bars & Coins (including investment & ETFs): ~48,634 t (≈22%)
- Central Bank holdings: ~37,755 t (≈17%)
- Other uses (industry, reserves): ~32,727 t (≈15%)
Thus, when we examine how much gold is in the world, the majority remains in jewellery or investment form, rather than circulating in industrial use.
Known Gold Reserves & Remaining Potential
Beyond what is already above ground, we consider mineable reserves and resources. These matter when assessing how much gold is in the world and how much remains to be mined.
Current Known Reserves
The WGC reports that known above-ground mineable gold reserves stand at around 54,770 tonnes. Additional data from the USGS estimates lower but comparable figures.
Undiscovered & Resource Estimates
When including inferred and probable resources, estimates widen. For example, some sources estimate that the total amount of gold—including mined, reserves and resources—may be between 277,000 and 299,000 tonnes.
Therefore, when answering the question “how much gold is in the world”, a realistic range would be in the neighbourhood of 250,000–300,000 tonnes of currently identified gold, though unknown deposits could take this higher.
Uses of Gold – Jewellery, Investment & Industry
Understanding how much gold is in the world also requires examining how that gold is used.
Jewellery
Jewellery accounts for the largest share of above-ground gold stock (~45%). This reflects both cultural demand and long-term retention of gold in items passed down generations.
Investment & Reserves
Bullion, bars and coins make up approximately 22% of above-ground stock, while central bank holdings alone contribute ~17%. This means investment and reserve demand plays a major role in shaping the supply pool for “how much gold is in the world”.
Industrial Applications
Although industrial use (electronics, dental, aerospace) comprises only ~10–15% of the above-ground stock, it’s technologically significant. The finite size of the global gold stock highlights how scarcity underpins gold’s status as a precious metal.
Valuation & Visualisation: How Much Gold Is in the World?
One effective way to grasp how much gold is in the world is through value and scale.
Monetary Value
As of early 2025, gold prices surpassed $3,000 per troy ounce. At this rate, 216,000 tonnes of gold equates to over $12 trillion in value.
Per Capita & Volume Analogy
One estimate suggests all discovered gold (≈244,000 metric tons) works out to roughly 30 grams (about one troy ounce) for every person on Earth.
In terms of volume, stacking all mined gold into a gargantuan cube results in a side length of about 21-22 metres — astonishingly compact given all the gold ever mined.
Company Spotlight: ORO Mineral Co., Ltd.
ORO Mineral Co., Ltd. is a large-scale, intelligent mineral processing, screening and sand washing equipment manufacturer, integrating R&D, production and sales. Since 2014, ORO Mineral has contributed significantly to mineral screening, solid-waste resource recovery, beneficiation, washing and separation and has accumulated rich experience.
The company develops equipment critical to processing minerals like gold. Their product suite includes:
- Sand Washing Machine 100 TPH Long Life
- Gravity Spiral Concentrator
- 1.1kW Belt Magnetic Separator
- Eddy Current Separator Machine
- Gravity Spiral Chute Separator
For stakeholders examining how much gold is in the world, reliable processing equipment from ORO Mineral ensures higher recovery rates and better utilisation of existing deposits—helping maximise value from the finite gold stock.
Summary Table – Key Metrics for How Much Gold Is in the World
| Metric | Estimate (2024-25) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Above-ground stock (moved/in existence) | ≈ 216,265 tonnes | Gold mined historically and still existing above ground |
| Known mineable reserves | ≈ 54,770 tonnes | Economically extractable deposits |
| Total discovered + mined (including resources) | ≈ 277,000-299,000 tonnes | Includes inferred resources |
| Gold per person (global) | ≈ 30 g/person | Based on global population 8+ billion |
In short: when asking “how much gold is in the world”, the answer lies in the range of 200,000-300,000 tonnes when combining above-ground stock and known resources—highlighting gold’s rarity and value.
