A recent study by the World Gold Council shows that Indian women’s gold holdings total around 24,000 tons, accounting for roughly 11% of the world’s gold reserves in jewellery.

Gold holds immense cultural significance in India, especially among women. It symbolizes wealth, tradition, and family bonds. It is an integral part of Indian celebrations, particularly weddings, where gold is an essential gift, whether in intricate bridal jewellery or simple gold bars. This strong cultural connection to gold has led to large amounts being accumulated and passed down through generations, making India a world leader in household gold ownership.

The amount of gold owned by Indian women has left behind the total reserves of the top five gold-holding countries. For comparison, the United States has 8,000 tons, Germany holds 3,300 tons, Italy owns 2,450 tons, France possesses 2,400 tons, and Russia holds 1,900 tons.

Even when you add up the gold from these countries, it still doesn’t match the amount owned by women in India. According to a report from the Oxford Gold Group, Indian households possess 11% of the world’s gold which is more than the combined reserves of the United States, the IMF, Switzerland, and Germany.

In South India, women are key to gold ownership, with the region holding 40% of India’s gold reserves. Tamil Nadu contributes 28% of this total. A 2020-21 report from the World Gold Council indicated that Indian households owned between 21,000 and 23,000 tons of gold, a figure that grew to approximately 24,000 to 25,000 tons by 2023, or over 25 million kilograms, representing a substantial portion of the country’s wealth. This gold reserve also contributes to India’s economy, supporting 40% of the nation’s GDP.

Under India’s Income Tax laws, married women are allowed to own up to 500 grams of gold, while unmarried women can hold up to 250 grams. In contrast, men are limited to owning just 100 grams of gold. This difference highlights the important role gold plays in Indian culture and how valuable it is for women, both as a symbol of wealth and as a way to secure their future.