A recent statistical study, the first of its kind at the national level in France, revealed the volume of enormous and hidden gold wealth held by families and individuals, as the total gold held by French citizens exceeds the official strategic reserve of the Central Bank of France by about one and a half times, highlighting the traditional use of individuals to save the precious metal as a sustainable financial safety tool away from banking channels.
4,000 tons in the hands of individuals in exchange for the Central Reserve
The study, conducted by the Global Audit Office (EY) for the French institutions Francéclat and UFBJOP, and published in Le Figaro, showed that about 66% of French people (an average of two out of three) own at least one piece of gold, and according to the data, the total gold owned by individuals in France is about 4026 tons, while the official reserves stored with the Central Bank of France stand at only 2437 tonnes, highlighting the large gap in favor of private savings.
Detailed results indicate that this private wealth, which is estimated to be worth about 500 billion euros, is divided into two main parts: the first represents investment gold in gold bars and coins, which accounts for the largest share of 2,392 tons, although it is less common among the public, while the second represents gold and jewellery with a total of 1,634 tons (about 81% of the number of pieces owned).
The report explained that the distribution of this wealth is wide but unequal, with 60% of French people having savings between 10 and 100 grams of gold (mostly everyday jewellery), while the percentage of those who own more than 100 grams does not exceed the threshold of 12%, bringing the average per capita holdings in France to about 89 grams.
Gold as a safe haven between individuals and countries
According to the French newspaper, citing French economic sources, these unprecedented figures in France reflect an economic phenomenon known as "emotional and protective saving";
While major policy decisions – such as Trump's statements or the US Federal Reserve's moves – control spot stock prices up and down in the short term, the safe haven stored in the homes of French people remains a solid economic safety net that is not subject to speculative volatility.
Global markets decline and anticipation of Trump's decision
On the global market front, gold prices recorded a significant decline in spot transactions on Monday (June 1, 2026) by 0.3% to reach $4521.25 per ounce, after hitting a two-week high during the previous session.
U.S. gold futures for August delivery fell 0.9% to $4,551.60 an ounce, under pressure from a rally in the U.S. dollar index and higher oil prices, which are increasing the cost of buying the green-denominated metal for holders of other currencies.
Analysts link this decline to the cautious state of anticipation that dominates investors on Wall Street and global stock exchanges, pending the expected decision by US President Donald Trump on the position on the proposed agreement to extend the ceasefire with Iran.
Despite the ongoing disagreements between the two sides on strategic issues, the volatility of the political file immediately cast a shadow on commodities; while gold fell, other precious metals saw mixed jumps, with spot silver up 0.4% to $75.54, platinum up 1% to $1935.65, and palladium up 1.3% to $1371.24 an ounce.