Which countries produce the most gold

The latest data from the World Gold Council shows that global gold production in 2023 is estimated to have totaled 3,646.1t (metric tonnes), relatively unchanged from 2022, up 0.33% from 3,634.1 metric tonnes in 2022 and just shy of the 10-year high of 3,657.6 metric tonnes recorded in 2018. Gold production has been stable since 2015 hovering between the range of 3,483.5 and 3,657.1 metric tonnes per year.

A handful of countries dominate gold production

In 2023, mines in China produced an estimated 378.2t of gold, just over 10% of the gold produced globally, making it the top gold-producing nation in the world, a position it has maintained for the past 15 years. China is among only three countries that produced over 200 metric tonnes of gold in 2023. The other 200-plus metric tonnes club members include Russia (350t), and Australia (293t). Canada and the United States round out the top five producing 191.9t, and 166.7t of gold in 2023 respectively. Together, these five nations accounted for 40% of the world’s gold production in 2023. Only seven other countries — Ghana, Indonesia, Peru, Mexico, Uzbekistan, Mali and South Africa produced more than 100 metric tonnes of gold.

Gold production has declined in traditional regions like South Africa, the U.S., and Peru. South Africa, once a leader, fell out of the top 10 in 2021, with its output halving from 210 to 104.3 metric tonnes between 2010 and 2023. Peru’s production dropped 31% in the same period, while U.S. output fell 38%. In contrast, four countries producing over 100 metric tonnes in 2023—Russia, Canada, Mali, and Mexico—saw significant growth. Russia's output rose 58%, Canada’s increased 87%, while Mali and Mexico grew by 145% and 60%, respectively.

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