The World Gold Council publishes third quarter gold demand increases of 6% year on year to 1,053.9 tonnes, worth a record US$57.7 billion. These results were driven by huge spikes in people investing in gold bullion which grew 33% on the back of increased demand and volatility in the gold price.

With worldwide demand for gold jewellery suppressed and the technology sector static, investment in gold bullion has continued the upward trend experiencing unprecedented growth in China and India in particular. Gold bullion bar and coin ownership in China has grown 69.5% in 12 months, with an estimated 528 tonnes of gold now held by private investors making China the world�s largest gold owning nation, followed by India who saw a 34% increase in gold ownership to over 409 tonnes.

These latest statistics suggest that investors all around the world are using gold to hedge against the effects of the world debt crisis which is reaching dangerous levels in the UK and European economies, as well as the US. In addition to consumer demand on the up, Central Bank purchases of investment gold are up 353% through the third quarter of this year from 2010.

However it�s not only China and India seeing huge growth in the ownership of gold bullion, European countries including Germany, Switzerland, Turkey and France have also experienced record uplifts in consumer demand. Of the European nations France andTurkey saw the largest increases in demand with gold bar and coin ownership up over 1,600% and 80% respectively, however Germany�s 31% rise in the ownership of gold makes them Europe�s largest gold owning nation with 154.2 tonnes held.

With both consumers and Central Banks in many of the world�s most powerful economies buying unparalleled amounts of gold, has there ever been a better time to buy gold? Gold bullion offers the ultimate insurance in turbulent times, as well as offering individuals physical control and ownership of part of their wealth. As well as being a great preserver of wealth, increases in demand and gold price volatility in recent years has made gold bullion an unrivalled investment outperforming property, stocks and shares.