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World's biggest gold reserves; India at 11

Last updated on: August 2, 2011 10:26 IST
An employee of a jewellery shop holds a gold pig.
Gold has remained one of the most sought after assets in the world. Even in times of economic uncertainty, gold continues to be a safe bet for investors.

A gold reserve is held by a central bank or nation as a valuable resource and as a guarantee to redeem promises to pay depositors, note holders or to secure a currency.

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World's biggest gold reserves; India at 11

Last updated on: August 2, 2011 10:26 IST
Gold keys are displayed for customers at a jewellery shop.

The world's consumption of new gold is about 50 per cent in jewellery, 40 per cent in investments and 10 per cent in industry.

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World's biggest gold reserves; India at 11

Last updated on: August 2, 2011 10:26 IST
US tops in gold reserves.
1. United States

Gold reserves: 8133.5 tonnes

The United States owns the world's largest gold reserves.

Gold constitutes 74.7 per cent of the nation's foreign exchange reserves.

Data: World Gold Council

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World's biggest gold reserves; India at 11

Last updated on: August 2, 2011 10:26 IST
Customers walk past a  gold replica of a pine tree displayed at a jewellery shop
2. Germany

Gold reserves
: 3,401.0 tonnes

In Germany, gold forms 71.7 per cent of the foreign exchange reserves.

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World's biggest gold reserves; India at 11

Last updated on: August 2, 2011 10:26 IST
Gold souvenirs are displayed at jewellery shop.
3. IMF

Gold reserves
2,814.0 tonnes

The International Monetary Fund ranks third in terms of gold reserves.

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World's biggest gold reserves; India at 11

Last updated on: August 2, 2011 10:26 IST
Bars of 50 and 100 gram (front) fine gold.
4. Italy

Gold reserves: 2,451.8 tonnes

Gold reserves form 71.4 per cent of the total foreign exchange reserves in Italy.

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World's biggest gold reserves; India at 11

Last updated on: August 2, 2011 10:26 IST
Women look at a jewellery shop.
5. France

Gold reserves; 2,435.4 tonnes

France ranks fifth with gold constituting 66.1 per cent of its total forex reserves.

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World's biggest gold reserves; India at 11

Last updated on: August 2, 2011 10:26 IST
A gold statue of a lion is displayed at a jewellery shop in Hong Kong.
6. China

Gold reserves: 1,054.1 tonnes

China, set to overtake India as the world's largest gold consumer is ranked 6th in the world.

Gold forms 1.6 per cent of the country's forex reserves.

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World's biggest gold reserves; India at 11

Last updated on: August 2, 2011 10:26 IST
A man shows a gold bar to costumers.
7. Switzerland

Gold reserves: 1,040.1 tonnes

Gold constitutes 17.6 per cent of the total forex in Switzerland.

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World's biggest gold reserves; India at 11

Last updated on: August 2, 2011 10:26 IST
A goldsmith poses with gold bangles in his jewellery shop.
8. Russia

Gold reserves: 830.5 tonnes

Gold forms 7.8 per cent of the total forex in Russia.

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World's biggest gold reserves; India at 11

Last updated on: August 2, 2011 10:26 IST
Pure gold artifact shaped as Japan's Mount Fuji by Japanese jewellery maker Ginza Tanaka.
9. Japan

Gold reserves: 765.2 tonnes

Gold forms 3.3 per cent of the total foreign exchange reserves in Japan.

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World's biggest gold reserves; India at 11

Last updated on: August 2, 2011 10:26 IST
Gold turtles are displayed at a jewellery shop.
10. The Netherlands

Gold reserves: 612.5 tonnes

Gold constitutes 59.4 per cent of the total foreign exchange reserves in The Netherlands.

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World's biggest gold reserves; India at 11

Last updated on: August 2, 2011 10:26 IST
A jewellery shop in Hyderabad.
11. India

Gold reserves: 557.7 tonnes

India, the world's largest consumer of gold ranks 11th in terms of gold reserves. Gold constitutes 8.7 per cent of the total forex reserves.

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World's biggest gold reserves; India at 11

Last updated on: August 2, 2011 10:26 IST
Gold bars and jewellery are displayed in a shop.
12. European Central Bank

Gold reserves: 502.1 tonnes

European Central Bank has 31.3 per cent of gold as part of its foreign exchange reserves.

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World's biggest gold reserves; India at 11

Last updated on: August 2, 2011 10:26 IST
A gold necklace creation.
13. Taiwan

Gold reserves: 423.6 tonnes

Another Asian country, Taiwan has 5 per cent of gold as part of its forex reserves.

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World's biggest gold reserves; India at 11

Last updated on: August 2, 2011 10:26 IST
Gold reserves.
14. Portugal

Gold reserves: 382.5 tonnes

Portugal has 84.8 per cent of gold as a part of its foreign exchange reserves.

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World's biggest gold reserves; India at 11

Last updated on: August 2, 2011 10:26 IST
Gold bars.
15. Venezuela

Gold reserves: 365.8 tonnes

Venezuela has 64.8 per cent of gold as part of its foreign exchange reserves.

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World's biggest gold reserves; India at 11

Last updated on: August 2, 2011 10:26 IST
A woman shows a mobile phone purse made of gold.
16. Saudi Arabia

Gold reserves: 322.9 tonnes

Gold constitutes 3.3 per cent of gold as part of its forex reserves.

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World's biggest gold reserves; India at 11

Last updated on: August 2, 2011 10:26 IST
A visitor looks at a chapel, made of gold, silver and amber.
17. United Kingdom

Gold reserves: 310.3 tonnes

The United Kingdom has 16.5 per cent of gold as part of its foreign exchange reserves.

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World's biggest gold reserves; India at 11

Last updated on: August 2, 2011 10:26 IST
Gold at a record high.
18. Lebanon

Gold reserves: 286.8 tonnes

In Lebanon, gold forms 29.6 per cent of the total forex reserves.

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World's biggest gold reserves; India at 11

Last updated on: August 2, 2011 10:26 IST
Gold jewellery at a shop.
19. Spain

Gold reserves: 281.6 tonnes

In Spain, gold constitutes 40.7 per cent of the total forex reserves.

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World's biggest gold reserves; India at 11

Last updated on: August 2, 2011 10:26 IST
Austrian gold coin.
20. Austria

Gold reserves: 280 tonnes

Austria has 55.4 per cent of gold as part of its forex reserves.