According to the latest report of the World Gold Council (WGC), wealthy investors in the UAE, Iran and Kuwait have increased their gold purchases tremendously. Whereas other regional countries like Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Turkey have seen a sharp decline in gold demand.
Key Statistics (Q2 2025)
| Country | Changes in Gold Investments |
|---|---|
| UAE | 25% hike |
| Iran | 22% increase (over 12.7 tonnes) |
| Kuwait | Increased interest in the upper class |
| Saudi Arabia | 19% decline |
| Egypt | 23% decline |
| Turkish | 55% drop |
Andrew Naylor, Middle East head of the World Gold Council, said: “Countries such as Egypt, Turkey and Saudi Arabia are more retail-driven markets, where smaller bars and coins are more commonly purchased, which are immediately affected by price spikes. In contrast, high-net-worth investors in countries such as the UAE are less affected by higher prices.”
The craze of tokenized gold is also increasing in UAE
According to a survey by HSBC, 57% of wealthy investors are planning to invest in gold in the UAE in the future. Of these, about 40% are showing interest in tokenized gold (gold in digital form).
Gold = security cover in Iran
Due to inflation of more than 30% in Iran, people are considering gold as a safe haven asset. Amidst political and economic instability, investors are considering gold as a way to avoid inflation.
Global trends
Gold investment demand worldwide rose 78% in the second quarter, even as jewelry purchases declined. Gold prices hovered around $3,293 an ounce on Friday, with some analysts predicting it could reach $4,000.
