New Delhi, April 29 -- Surging gold prices and heightened geopolitical uncertainty are driving a shift in global gold demand from jewellery to investment, even as overall demand remains stable, according to the World Gold Council's Q1 2026 Gold Demand Trends report.

Total gold demand, including over-the-counter (OTC) transactions, rose marginally by 2 per cent year-on-year to 1,231 tonnes in the first quarter. However, the value of demand surged 74 per cent year-on-year to a record USD 193 billion, reflecting the sharp rise in prices during the period.

The report highlighted that higher prices and gold's safe-haven appeal attracted retail investors, leading to a strong rise in bar and coin demand, which jumped 42 per cent year-on-year t...