A report issued by the World Gold Council revealed that total gold purchases in the UAE, including jewelry, bars, and gold coins, increased by 25.3% quarter over quarter to reach 10.9 metric tons during the second quarter of 2026.

Purchases of gold bars and coins posted strong growth of 32.5% compared with the first quarter of the year, while they increased by 29.1% year over year during the first half of 2026, reflecting growing consumer interest in gold as a means of saving and investment.

First-Quarter Purchases

According to World Gold Council data, total gold purchases in the UAE rose to 10.9 metric tons in the second quarter of 2026, compared with around 8.7 metric tons in the first quarter of the same year, representing quarterly growth of 25.3%.

Jewelry purchases in the UAE market increased by 19.14% quarter over quarter, reaching 5.6 metric tons in the second quarter, up from 4.7 metric tons in the first quarter.

At the same time, purchases of gold bars and coins recorded even stronger growth, rising by 32.5% during the second quarter to 5.3 metric tons, compared with 4 metric tons in the first three months of the year.

These figures reflect clear activity in the local gold market during the second quarter, with demand increasing for both jewelry and gold products intended for saving and investment.

First-Half Performance

During the first half of 2026, total gold purchases in the UAE, including jewelry, bars, and coins, reached approximately 19.6 metric tons.

Purchases during the first six months of the year were divided between 10.3 metric tons of jewelry and 9.3 metric tons of gold bars and coins.

These figures highlight a clear balance between demand for jewelry and demand for investment gold, amid growing consumer interest in purchasing bars and coins alongside the traditional use of gold for jewelry and gifts.

Jewelry purchases also improved in the second quarter compared with the first, increasing from 4.7 metric tons to 5.6 metric tons, reflecting stronger market activity between April and June 2026.

Bars and Coins

Regarding purchases of gold bars and coins, World Gold Council data showed strong growth during the first half of the year, increasing by 29.1% year over year.

Purchases reached 9.3 metric tons in the first half of 2026, compared with around 7.2 metric tons during the same period in 2025.

Gold bar and coin purchases this year were split between 4 metric tons in the first quarter and 5.3 metric tons in the second quarter.

This continued growth reflects increasing demand for gold in its investment form, as a larger segment of consumers turns to bars and gold coins as a way to save and diversify assets.

Global Demand

Globally, the World Gold Council report showed that gold demand increased by 2% during the first half of 2026, reaching approximately 2,522 metric tons.

The value of global gold demand during the same period reached around $380 billion, highlighting the precious metal’s continued strong presence in global markets.

The World Gold Council expects investment to remain one of the main drivers of gold demand during the second half of the year, alongside continued strength in central bank purchases.

These global indicators come as purchases of gold bars and coins in the UAE continue to post strong performance during the second quarter and the first half of 2026, reinforcing gold’s position as one of the most prominent options for saving and investment.