Markets & Investing
Commodity Market: Over 60% Of The Global Gold Demand Is For Jewelry And Investment
23 Sept 2020
Data presented by Buy Shares indicates that jewelry and investment account for 37.29% and 26% respectively of the total global gold demand. As of September 2020, the total global demand for gold stood at 5.29 million kilograms or 186.8 million ounces.
Gold’s role as a safe haven for investment
Central bank’s demand for gold accounts for 12.14%. Other notable sectors in gold demand include bar demand (7.45%), industry (6.07%), electronics (4.86%), coin (3.85%), medals (1.13%), other (0.92%). Dentistry recorded the least demand at 12,587 kilograms or 0.23%.
The research highlighted the growth of gold as an investment avenue. According to the research report: “Gold as an investment is subject to cyclical volatility since many investors speculate on its value. The high demand for gold for investment can be linked to the fact that the precious metal is considered a safe haven in the event of market volatility. This year, the market experienced the highest volatility rate due to the economic impact of the coronavirus pandemic. In general, gold can be used in portfolios to protect the purchasing power, reduce volatility, and minimize losses during moments of market shock.”
However, gold’s position as a safe haven is facing a threat from Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies. Some central banks are even considering making digital assets tied to their local currencies to make payments. Proponents of the digital assets are of the opinion that cryptocurrencies are emerging as the perfect safe havens. However, for example, Bitcoin has shown not to correlate with the price of gold, but instead with the equity market.
The Buy Shares research also overviewed countries with the highest demand for gold. The research reviewed 15 top countries with the demand totaling to 2,042,725 kilograms as of September 2020.
China has the largest share at 700,442 kilograms, while India is second at 625,561 kilograms. The United States is a distant third with its goal demand almost five times less than China at 148,316 kilograms. Turkey and Germany emerged fourth and fifth at 100,380 kilograms and 90,472 kilograms.
