Gold Reserves of Venezuela: 50 Years of Change
Venezuela currently holds 161 tonnes of official gold and is a net seller over recent decades. Here is how its reserves rose and fell over the last half-century.
Venezuela's gold reserves by decade
Approximate official holdings in tonnes, compiled from IMF International Financial Statistics and World Gold Council records.
Key moments in Venezuela's gold history
- Chávez repatriated 160 tonnes from Western vaults in 2011–12 in a televised operation.
- The crisis years since 2015 forced heavy sales and gold-for-cash swaps; ~31 tonnes remain frozen at the Bank of England amid legal disputes.
The 50-year picture
Venezuela sits on the seller side of the ledger: its official holdings today are well below their historical peak. Many central banks sold gold in the 1990s and early 2000s when it was cheap and unfashionable — decisions that look costly at today's record prices, and a key reason most sellers have since stopped.
Whatever an individual country does, the global trend is unambiguous: central banks collectively bought more than 1,000 tonnes a year from 2022 through 2025 — the heaviest official buying since the Bretton Woods era — and that demand is one of the forces behind today's record gold prices. For the full worldwide table, see gold reserves by country.
Venezuela vs Pakistan
Venezuela161 t
Pakistan64.7 tFAQs — Venezuela Gold Reserves
How much gold does Venezuela have?
Venezuela holds approximately 161 tonnes of official gold reserves according to the latest IMF/World Gold Council reporting, ranking around #26 among all countries. At today's international price that gold is worth roughly $21.0 billion.
Is Venezuela buying or selling gold?
Venezuela has been a net seller over the long run — its holdings today are well below their historical peak.
Why do central banks hold gold?
Gold carries no counterparty risk, cannot be frozen or printed by another country, and historically holds value through currency crises — which is why central banks bought more gold in 2022–2025 than in any period since the 1960s.
Where does Venezuela rank compared with Pakistan?
Pakistan holds about 64.7 tonnes. Venezuela, with 161 tonnes, ranks above Pakistan in official gold holdings.
Disclaimer: The gold and silver rates provided on this website are aggregated from various local bullion markets and Sarafa Associations across Pakistan. While we strive to maintain accurate and up-to-date information, these prices are indicative and subject to continuous market fluctuations. They do not include making charges, local taxes, or dealer commissions. We recommend verifying the final price with your local jeweller before making any transaction.
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