Amid global risks, younger investors favour tangible bars as paper gold loses shine

Gen Z buyers are driving demand for bullion, spurred by geopolitical tensions, inflation and the appeal of owning gold outright

Sussi Ye began buying gold bars in small batches at the start of the year, slowly building a hoard now worth about 200,000 yuan (US$29,700). Despite the metal’s price swings since then, she has not sold a single gram.

“I like that it’s tangible, you can hold it, and that gives you a sense of security. If I get married someday, I can still have these gold bars crafted into wedding jewellery.”

Demand for physical gold among Gen Z was rising, as geopolitical tensions and market uncertainties fuelled interest in owning gold outright rather than through paper-based products, according to the London-based dealer IBV Gold London.

“Younger investors have experienced a lot of uncertainty – inflation, geopolitical tensions, volatile markets and concerns about the strength of currencies and the wider economy,” said Yuvana Singh, manager at IBV Gold London.