Gold Price in the UK by Year
In 2025 an ounce of gold cost about 18 days of work at average UK earnings (£728 per week), against 2.9 days in 2000. Since 1975, gold has risen 7.4% a year in UK pounds against inflation of 5.1% a year. Gold averaged £2,623 an ounce in 2025.
Days of work to buy an ounce of gold, 2000–2025
average weekly earnings, whole economy, including bonusesHas Gold Beaten Inflation in the UK?
Yearly average gold price in GBP against UK retail prices (RPI), compound rate a year.
| Period | Gold (per year) | Inflation (per year) | Gold after inflation, whole period |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 years · 2015–2025 | 13.2% | 4.5% | +122% |
| 20 years · 2005–2025 | 12.6% | 3.8% | +410% |
| 30 years · 1995–2025 | 8.2% | 3.4% | +299% |
| 40 years · 1985–2025 | 6.1% | 3.7% | +152% |
| 50 years · 1975–2025 | 7.4% | 5.1% | +207% |
Gold's yearly average rose less than prices in 24 of 54 years since 1972: long stretches without a real gain (for example 1980–2001) are part of the record.
Gold Price by Year in GBP
Per troy ounce. "2025 money" adjusts each year's average for inflation. Converted at each day's exchange rate from 2000 and the yearly average before.
| Year | Average | Year-end | Change | Inflation | In 2025 money | Days of work |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026to date | £3,372 | £2,998 | +28.5% | — | — | — |
| 2025 | £2,623 | £3,223 | +39.5% | 4.1% | £2,623 | 18 |
| 2024 | £1,880 | £2,105 | +19.6% | 3.6% | £1,958 | 14 |
| 2023 | £1,572 | £1,627 | +7.5% | 9.7% | £1,695 | 12 |
| 2022 | £1,462 | £1,515 | +11.8% | 11.6% | £1,730 | 12 |
| 2021 | £1,308 | £1,355 | −5.5% | 4.0% | £1,726 | 11 |
| 2020 | £1,384 | £1,390 | +26.7% | 1.5% | £1,901 | 13 |
| 2019 | £1,093 | £1,159 | +15.1% | 2.6% | £1,523 | 10 |
| 2018 | £949 | £1,007 | −2.8% | 3.3% | £1,357 | 9.1 |
| 2017 | £977 | £972 | +5.3% | 3.6% | £1,444 | 9.7 |
| 2016 | £927 | £937 | +22.3% | 1.7% | £1,420 | 9.4 |
| 2015 | £758 | £716 | −1.3% | 1.0% | £1,181 | 7.9 |
| 2014 | £768 | £761 | −14.9% | 2.4% | £1,209 | 8.2 |
| 2013 | £903 | £729 | −14.2% | 3.0% | £1,454 | 9.7 |
| 2012 | £1,052 | £1,025 | +7.3% | 3.2% | £1,746 | 11 |
| 2011 | £980 | £993 | +23.6% | 5.2% | £1,679 | 11 |
| 2010 | £793 | £910 | +27.7% | 4.6% | £1,429 | 8.9 |
| 2009 | £621 | £672 | +31.4% | -0.5% | £1,171 | 7.2 |
| 2008 | £473 | £593 | +36.0% | 4.0% | £886 | 5.4 |
| 2007 | £348 | £420 | +6.1% | 4.3% | £678 | 4.1 |
| 2006 | £328 | £323 | +33.6% | 3.2% | £666 | 4.1 |
| 2005 | £245 | £298 | +9.8% | 2.8% | £514 | 3.2 |
| 2004 | £223 | £227 | +1.1% | 3.0% | £482 | 3.1 |
| 2003 | £221 | £233 | +7.0% | 2.9% | £491 | 3.2 |
| 2002 | £206 | £231 | +9.6% | 1.7% | £472 | 3.0 |
| 2001 | £188 | £192 | +2.3% | 1.8% | £438 | 2.9 |
| 2000 | £184 | £181 | +6.9% | 3.0% | £435 | 2.9 |
| 1999 | £172 | £179 | −2.9% | 1.5% | £419 | — |
| 1998 | £177 | £174 | −12.2% | 3.4% | £439 | — |
| 1997 | £202 | £177 | −18.6% | 3.1% | £517 | — |
| 1996 | £248 | £237 | +2.1% | 2.4% | £655 | — |
| 1995 | £243 | £245 | −3.0% | 3.5% | £657 | — |
| 1994 | £251 | £250 | +4.6% | 2.4% | £701 | — |
| 1993 | £240 | £261 | +23.1% | 1.6% | £686 | — |
| 1992 | £195 | £188 | −5.0% | 3.7% | £566 | — |
| 1991 | £205 | £200 | −4.7% | 5.9% | £618 | — |
| 1990 | £215 | £216 | −7.6% | 9.5% | £687 | — |
| 1989 | £233 | £243 | −5.1% | 7.8% | £813 | — |
| 1988 | £245 | £230 | −10.0% | 4.9% | £923 | — |
| 1987 | £272 | £295 | +8.6% | 4.2% | £1,076 | — |
| 1986 | £251 | £265 | +2.5% | 3.4% | £1,032 | — |
| 1985 | £245 | £252 | −9.3% | 6.1% | £1,041 | — |
| 1984 | £270 | £231 | −3.5% | 5.0% | £1,217 | — |
| 1983 | £279 | £252 | +30.1% | 4.6% | £1,324 | — |
| 1982 | £215 | £261 | −5.5% | 8.6% | £1,065 | — |
| 1981 | £227 | £196 | −14.0% | 11.9% | £1,224 | — |
| 1980 | £264 | £254 | +84.1% | 18.0% | £1,593 | — |
| 1979 | £144 | £241 | +42.4% | 13.4% | £1,020 | — |
| 1978 | £101 | £118 | +19.1% | 8.3% | £813 | — |
| 1977 | £84.70 | £94.53 | +22.5% | 15.8% | £739 | — |
| 1976 | £69.13 | £74.52 | −4.5% | 16.5% | £699 | — |
| 1975 | £72.41 | £63.13 | +6.6% | 24.2% | £853 | — |
| 1974 | £67.91 | £79.69 | +70.2% | 16.0% | £994 | — |
| 1973 | £39.89 | £45.77 | +71.5% | 9.1% | £678 | — |
| 1972 | £23.26 | £25.92 | +39.3% | 7.1% | £431 | — |
| 1971 | £16.70 | £17.85 | +11.3% | 9.4% | £332 | — |
| 1970 | £15.00 | £15.60 | — | 6.4% | £326 | — |
FAQ
Gold Price in the UK by Year
In 2025 an ounce of gold cost about 18 days of work at average UK earnings (£728 per week), against 2.9 days in 2000. Since 1975, gold has risen 7.4% a year in UK pounds against inflation of 5.1% a year. Gold averaged £2,623 an ounce in 2025.
What was the price of gold in the UK in 1970?
About £15.00 an ounce on average (year-end £15.60), or about £326 in 2025 money after inflation.
What was the price of gold in the UK in 1980?
About £264 an ounce on average (year-end £254), or about £1,593 in 2025 money after inflation.
What was the price of gold in the UK in 1990?
About £215 an ounce on average (year-end £216), or about £687 in 2025 money after inflation.
What was the price of gold in the UK in 2000?
About £184 an ounce on average (year-end £181), or about £435 in 2025 money after inflation. That was 2.9 days of work at average earnings.
What was the price of gold in the UK in 2010?
About £793 an ounce on average (year-end £910), or about £1,429 in 2025 money after inflation. That was 8.9 days of work at average earnings.
What was the price of gold in the UK in 2020?
About £1,384 an ounce on average (year-end £1,390), or about £1,901 in 2025 money after inflation. That was 13 days of work at average earnings.
Has gold beaten inflation in the UK?
Over 10 years (2015–2025): gold 13.2% a year vs inflation 4.5% a year. Over 20 years (2005–2025): gold 12.6% a year vs inflation 3.8% a year. Over 30 years (1995–2025): gold 8.2% a year vs inflation 3.4% a year. Over 40 years (1985–2025): gold 6.1% a year vs inflation 3.7% a year. Over 50 years (1975–2025): gold 7.4% a year vs inflation 5.1% a year. But not every year: gold's yearly average rose less than prices in 24 of 54 years since 1972, including long stretches in the 1980s and 1990s.
How is "days of work" calculated?
The yearly average gold price in GBP divided by one day's earnings (average weekly earnings divided by five): average weekly earnings, whole economy, including bonuses. It is before tax, and an average: many people earn less or more.
See also: gold price in the UK today · gold adjusted for inflation · gold in India by year · what happens to gold after Fed decisions.