Gold mining ranking: What has changed in 15 years?
The balance of power in the global gold mining industry has changed significantly over the past 15 years. China has maintained its lead, while Russia has moved into second place. Canada and Ghana have also increased production sharply. The United States and South Africa, on the other hand, have fallen several places in the world rankings.
15-Year Changes in Gold Production Rankings: This infographic by Visual Capitalist compares the gold production of countries in 2010 and 2025. This analysis, based on statistics from the World Gold Council, reflects the situation as of December 2025.
China has retained its status as the world's largest gold producer in both periods. The country's annual gold production increased from 351 tons in 2010 to 384 tons in 2025.
Russia, on the other hand, has seen significant growth. While 203 tons of gold were mined in 2010, this figure has increased to 345 tons by 2025. As a result, Russia has risen from fifth place in the world ranking to second place.
Australia also remains among the world's largest gold producers, but has fallen from second to third place in the ranking. Despite this, gold production in Australia has increased, reaching 293 tonnes in 2025.
Thus, in 2025, China, Russia and Australia alone produced more than 1,000 tonnes of gold.
Over the past 15 years, some of the traditional leaders of the gold market have significantly lost their positions. In particular, gold production in the United States has decreased from 231 tonnes in 2010 to 157 tonnes in 2025. As a result, the country has fallen from third place in the world ranking to seventh place.
The decline in South Africa has been even more dramatic. Gold production in the country has more than halved in 15 years, from 210 tonnes to 99 tonnes. This change is especially significant for South Africa, as the country has historically been one of the largest centers of the world gold industry. The new figures show that the geography of global gold mining is changing.
Canada, on the other hand, was one of the countries that recorded the largest increase. In 2010, 102 tons of gold were mined, but by 2025 production reached 213 tons. That is, Canada has more than doubled its gold production in 15 years and has risen from eighth place in the world ranking to fourth place.
Ghana has also significantly strengthened its position. The country almost doubled its gold production, reaching 187 tons in 2025. This result allowed Ghana to take sixth place in the world ranking.