In May 2025, global inflation rates and central bank interest rates showed significant variation across major economies. Most economies initiated interest rate cuts from mid-2024 due to declining inflationary pressures. The U.S., UK, and EU central banks followed a consistent pattern of regular rate reductions throughout late 2024. In early 2025, Russia maintained the highest interest rate at 20 percent, while Japan retained the lowest at 0.5 percent. Varied inflation rates across major economies The inflation landscape varies considerably among major economies. China had the lowest inflation rate at -0.1 percent in May 2025. In contrast, Russia maintained a high inflation rate of 9.9 percent. These figures align with broader trends observed in early 2025, where China had the lowest inflation rate among major developed and emerging economies, while Russia's rate remained the highest. Central bank responses and economic indicators Central banks globally implemented aggressive rate hikes throughout 2022-23 to combat inflation. The European Central Bank exemplified this trend, raising rates from 0 percent in January 2022 to 4.5 percent by September 2023. A coordinated shift among major central banks began in mid-2024, with the ECB, Bank of England, and Federal Reserve initiating rate cuts, with forecasts suggesting further cuts through 2025 and 2026.

Foreign Exchange Reserves in China increased to 3317000 USD Million in June from 3285000 USD Million in May of 2025. This dataset provides - China Foreign Exchange Reserves - actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news.

The benchmark interest rate in China was last recorded at 3 percent. This dataset provides the latest reported value for - China Interest Rate - plus previous releases, historical high and low, short-term forecast and long-term prediction, economic calendar, survey consensus and news.

As of March 2025, the People's Bank of China (PBOC) topped the list of the world’s largest central banks by international reserve assets, reporting holdings valued at **** trillion U.S. dollars. This highlights China’s substantial economic influence and its pivotal role in global finance. The Bank of Japan followed in second place with approximately **** trillion U.S. dollars in reserve assets. The Swiss National Bank ranked third, holding ***** billion U.S. dollars in reserves, and was one of only two European central banks to appear in the top 10.

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Precious Metals Market Size 2025-2029

The precious metals market size is forecast to increase by USD 105.3 billion, at a CAGR of 6.4% between 2024 and 2029. The market is characterized by its role as a safe haven in times of economic instability. Amid increasing global uncertainty, investors continue to seek refuge in precious metals, driving market demand.

Major Market Trends & Insights

APAC dominated the market and accounted for a 44% share in 2023.
The market is expected to grow significantly in North America region as well over the forecast period.
Based on the Type, the gold segment led the market and was valued at USD 110.60 billion of the global revenue in 2023.
Based on the Application, the industrial segment accounted for the largest market revenue share in 2023.

Market Size & Forecast

Market Opportunities: USD 289.40 Billion
Future Opportunities: USD 105.3 Billion
CAGR (2024-2029): 6.4%
APAC: Largest market in 2023

The market continues to evolve, driven by diverse applications across various sectors. Refining byproducts serve as crucial inputs in numerous industries, such as silver halide photography and catalytic converters. Metal corrosion resistance makes precious metals indispensable in secondary refining processes, dental gold alloys, and jewelry manufacturing techniques. Industry growth expectations remain robust, with precious metal trading projected to expand by 5% annually. For instance, the gold refining process has seen significant advancements in metal purity standards, leading to the production of investment-grade bullion. Silver recovery methods have also improved, enabling higher yields from ore processing methods. Platinum group metals, including palladium, find extensive applications in chemical extraction methods, electroplating processes, and electronic components.

What will be the Size of the Precious Metals Market during the forecast period?

Explore in-depth regional segment analysis with market size data - historical 2019-2023 and forecasts 2025-2029 - in the full report.
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Metal futures contracts provide a vital platform for precious metal investment, allowing market participants to hedge against spot price fluctuations. Metallurgical analysis plays a pivotal role in understanding metal alloy composition and assaying techniques, ensuring consistent product quality. Meanwhile, mining production data and metal refining technology continue to advance, enhancing mine efficiency and reducing production costs. An illustrative example of market dynamics can be seen in the silver market, where the price increased by 30% in 2020 due to increased industrial demand and reduced mine production. Precious metal recycling and platinum electrode fabrication further contribute to the market's continuous unfolding. The silver segment is the second largest segment of the type and was valued at USD 102.90 billion in 2023.

However, this market is not without challenges. The growing focus on Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) factors poses significant obstacles. Specifically, concerns over the environmental impact of mining and extraction processes are gaining prominence, potentially leading to increased regulations and operational challenges for market participants. Companies must navigate these regulatory hurdles while also addressing social concerns, such as labor rights and community engagement, to maintain a positive market reputation.

In addition, governance issues, including transparency and ethical sourcing, continue to be critical considerations for investors. To capitalize on market opportunities and effectively manage these challenges, companies must prioritize sustainable practices, robust stakeholder engagement, and transparent reporting. By doing so, they can not only mitigate risks but also differentiate themselves in a competitive market landscape.

How is the Precious Metals Industry segmented?

The precious metals industry research report provides comprehensive data (region-wise segment analysis), with forecasts and estimates in 'USD billion' for the period 2025-2029, as well as historical data from 2019-2023 for the following segments.

Type

  Gold
  Silver
  Platinum


Application

  Industrial
  Jewelry
  Investment


End-use Industry

  Jewelry Manufacturing
  Automotive (Catalytic Converters)
  Electronics
  Chemical Processing
  Healthcare


Geography

  North America

    US
    Canada


  Europe

    France
    Germany
    Italy
    UK


  Middle East and Africa

    Egypt
    KSA
    Oman
    UAE


  APAC

    China
    India
    Japan


  South America

    Argentina
    Brazil


  Rest of World (ROW)

By Type Insights

The gold segment is estimated to witness significant growth during the forecast period. The segment was valued at USD 110.60 billion in 2023. It continued to the largest segment at a CAGR of