Kazakhstan bought almost 36 tonnes of gold since start of year, joining top buyers
In August 2026 global central banks acquired 39 tonnes of gold. The National Bank of Kazakhstan entered the ranks of top buyers, increasing reserves by almost 36 tonnes since the start of the year.
Yulduz Salimov3 min read
Global central banks acquired a net 39 tonnes of gold in August 2026 — 69.6% more than in July and twice the level of August last year. The National Bank of Kazakhstan joined the ranks of top buyers: since the start of the year it has added almost 36 tonnes to its reserves.
The data comes from the World Gold Council (WGC). In total, from January to August 2026, global central banks added 170 tonnes of gold to their reserves through net purchases. The WGC notes that peak buying activity traditionally falls in June, September and October.
“The composition of August purchases is as noteworthy as the overall total: demand was again led by the usual participants running multi-year accumulation programmes,” the WGC stressed.
According to the WGC, central bank activity continues to reflect long-term reserve objectives, while monthly fluctuations reflect differences in execution, market conditions and country-specific liquidity needs.
Who is buying gold
Poland remains the leader in gold purchases since the start of the year: in August the country's National Bank bought 8 tonnes, bringing total purchases since the start of the year to 98 tonnes. The regulator aims to bring its gold reserves to 700 tonnes — it currently holds 648 tonnes.
- China: the People's Bank of China has been increasing reserves for 22 consecutive months; in August it bought 20 tonnes, bringing purchases over eight months to 80 tonnes. The country's gold reserves stand at about 2,387 tonnes (9% of total reserves). Uzbekistan: the Central Bank added 8 tonnes to reserves in August and has bought almost 50 tonnes since the start of the year. Gold accounts for 90% of Uzbekistan's total reserves (about 439 tonnes).
The National Bank of Kazakhstan purchased 7 tonnes of gold in August, and since the start of the year the regulator's total purchases have approached 36 tonnes. Kazakhstan's gold reserves now stand at 377 tonnes, or 79% of the total.
The Czech National Bank has been buying gold for 42 consecutive months: in August it added 2 tonnes, and since the start of the year 14 tonnes, bringing reserves to 86 tonnes (7% of total reserves). The Central Bank of Turkey returned to purchases after three months of selling and acquired 3 tonnes, but due to discounts in the first quarter Turkey shows a net sale of 82 tonnes since the start of the year. The regulators of Bolivia and Ghana each acquired about 1 tonne.
Who is selling gold
The main seller of gold among regulators is the Central Bank of Russia. In August it sold another 6 tonnes, and since the start of 2026 it has offloaded a total of 56 tonnes. As a result, Russia's gold reserves have fallen to 2,271 tonnes.
Sales were also recorded in Jordan: the country's Central Bank sold 3 tonnes in August. Nevertheless, since the start of the year Jordan's gold reserves have grown by 2 tonnes — to 75 tonnes (about 37% of total reserves).
Source: kz.kursiv.media
