Gold price predictions for the next five years: Third party data round up

By Capital.com Research Team
Gold bars on a black background with a diagram
Will gold rebound above $1,800? – Photo: Olivier Le Moal/Shutterstock

Gold surged to record highs in 2024, but what’s next for the yellow metal? Here’s a look at gold price predictions for the next five years.

 

Gold price prediction round up

Gold reached an all-time high of $2,685.49 per troy ounce in September 2024, exceeding many analysts’ predictions.

Earlier in September 2024, Fitch Ratings announced that it had revised its gold forecast, explaining that the change ‘reflect(s) the higher geopolitical premium due to the metal’s safe-haven status’.

As of 10 September 2024, Fitch expects gold to trade at $2,000 in 2025 – up from its previous prediction of $1,900 – and projects gold prices to decrease to $1,800 in 2026, which is up from $1,700.

Gold forecasts published later in the month – after the all-time-high – were more bullish. Trading Economics, a financial data provider, expects gold to rise to $2,623 in 2025 in its 30 September 2024 forecast.

Meanwhile, ING Group predicts gold prices to reach $2,700 in 2025, dropping to $2,680 in 2026.

Long-term gold outlook

Many analysts haven’t yet published their longer-term predictions due to the market’s unpredictable nature. But if gold’s performance in 2024 has taught us anything, it’s that past performance does not guarantee future results.

Back in April, the World Bank Group predicted gold would average at $2,100 in 2024 and decrease to $2,050 in 2025. Gold exceeded these expectations, with 2024 prices averaging $2,295 as of 30 September 2024. Gold’s current performance also outpaced Fitch Ratings’ forecast from early September 2024.

Forecasts from ING Group and Trading Economics, which were published after gold surpassed $2,600, predict a slowdown to gold’s uptrend and a potential decline in the next two years.

 

Gold prices in 2024

Gold prices have continued their upward trajectory in 2024, surpassing previous records and capturing the attention of traders worldwide.

Following its fast ascent during the first part of the year, gold traded at an all-time high of $2,685.49 per troy ounce on 26 September 2024. In Q4 2024, gold achieved its biggest quarterly gain since early 2016.

Strong bullish performance in 2023 and 2024 demonstrated gold’s resilience to persistent inflationary pressures and escalating geopolitical tensions in the Middle East and Eastern Europe, highlighting the precious metal’s role as a safe-haven asset.

Which factors could influence gold prices?

We can expect some potential volatility, but what happens next depends on the driving factors that influence gold prices.

Here are some of the forces that could move gold prices over the next five years:

  • Global economic health – gold is considered a safe-haven asset because its price often has a negative trend correlation with the performance of major economies and stock markets. Concerns about slow global economic growth have driven demand for safe-haven assets, and if they persist then gold prices could continue to rise. Conversely, economic recovery across these major economies could lead to a decline in gold prices.
  • Geopolitical stability – geopolitical tensions in regions like Eastern Europe and the Middle East, plus trade tensions between the US and China, push traders towards gold. De-escalation may lead to political and economic stability, causing gold prices to fall as traders shift back to traditional stocks. Conversely, ongoing or escalating conflicts could sustain the current uptrend.
  • Inflation levels can significantly impact gold prices. Gold is often used as a hedge against inflation because its value remains relatively stable while purchasing power declines. If central banks successfully curb inflation through monetary policies, demand for gold might decrease, leading to lower prices. However, sustained inflationary pressures could keep the price of gold at a premium and possibly push it to new highs.
  • Central bank policies and interest rates – In 2024, the Federal Reserve, Bank of England, and European Central Bank adopted dovish stances, lowering interest rates. This reduces the opportunity cost of holding non-yielding assets like gold, potentially enhancing its appeal. However, a shift toward hawkish policies, such as rate increases to combat inflation, could reduce demand for gold.

 

Short history of gold

Gold has been known to humans for over 6,000 years, with the earliest known gold artefacts dating back to around 4,600 BCE, discovered in the Varna Necropolis in Bulgaria. 

Throughout the centuries, the precious metal has been used as a store of value and a showcase of wealth. In the modern day and age, gold’s demand has expanded to industrial use, most notably in the production of electronics due to its excellent conductivity and resistance to corrosion.

As with many commodities, gold’s price is highly influenced by the forces of supply and demand. Yet the yellow metal is also seen as an investment asset, preserving value throughout centuries. Many traders view gold as a safe-haven asset, using it to hedge against inflation and economic uncertainty. 

Gold is typically priced in US dollars, which means the precious metal often has an inverse relationship with the greenback. The US dollar’s currency strength hurts the price of gold as it becomes more expensive and less attractive for overseas buyers. Conversely, when the US dollar falls in value, it often fuels gold demand. 

Gold can be bought as bullion in its physical form or traded through financial derivatives such as CFDs or spread betting.

Final thoughts

Gold has shown remarkable performance in recent years, but its future will depend on a variety of price drivers, both within and outside the financial markets, such as economic and geopolitical factors.

Note that past performance does not guarantee future results. Analysts’ predictions for the gold price in the next five years may be wrong and shouldn’t be used as a substitute for your own research. Commodity markets remain volatile and shaped by the constant flux of economic and geopolitical events.

Perform your own due diligence before trading – look at the latest news, refer to a variety of trusted sources and use fundamental and technical analysis in your trading strategy.

 

Be sure to keep up to date with the latest Gold news at capital.com

FAQ

What affects gold prices?

Gold prices are driven by a number of factors including the strength of the US dollar, demand from traders and central banks, geopolitical stability and the health of the global economy.

It's considered a safe-haven asset – gold prices often rise during times of economic uncertainty – and it’s used by some traders as a hedge against inflation.

How much has the gold price increased per year?

Gold prices rose consistently between 2021 and 2024, with the rate of increase accelerating each year.

The price rose by 0.17% in 2022 compared to the prior year. It increased by 7.84% from 2022 to 2023, and from 2023 until 30 September 2024, the price surged by 18.15%.

What will the price of gold be in five years?

Analyst forecasts for gold prices five years or longer in the future are uncommon due to market unpredictability. There are a huge number of factors that drive the price of gold in and out of the financial markets. For example, gold’s price surge to an all-time high in September 2024  surpassed many forecasts published earlier in the year.

Capital.com is an execution-only brokerage platform and the content provided on the Capital.com website is intended for informational purposes only and should not be regarded as an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy the products or securities to which it applies. No representation or warranty is given as to the accuracy or completeness of the information provided.

The information provided does not constitute investment advice nor take into account the individual financial circumstances or objectives of any investor. Any information that may be provided relating to past performance is not a reliable indicator of future results or performance.

To the extent permitted by law, in no event shall Capital.com (or any affiliate or employee) have any liability for any loss arising from the use of the information provided. Any person acting on the information does so entirely at their own risk.

Any information which could be construed as “investment research” has not been prepared in accordance with legal requirements designed to promote the independence of investment research and as such is considered to be a marketing communication.