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A survey shows that young buyers prefer buying small amounts of gold and making their own decisions instead of putting money into mutual funds or fixed deposits.
Gold stands out as a top choice when it comes to safe investments.
Gold continues to hold a lot of trust among young Indians. But the way they are buying the precious metal is slowly changing. A new nationwide survey by Smytten PulseAI shows that young people are now making their own decisions when it comes to gold. They are also buying smaller amounts instead of making big purchases at once.
Young Indians Prefer Gold Over Other Options
The survey covered 5,000 people between the ages of 18 and 39. It shows that buying gold is no longer only about family tradition. Many young buyers now see it as a smart and personal money choice.
As per the findings, 61.9 per cent said they would choose gold if they had Rs 25,000 to invest today. This was much higher than mutual funds (16.6 per cent), fixed deposits (13 per cent), stocks (6.6 per cent) and crypto (1.9 per cent).
When asked about tough economic times, 65.7 per cent said gold feels like a safer option compared to bank savings, mutual funds or equities. This shows that both Gen Z and Millennials still see gold as a safe backup.
Buying Decisions Are Now More Personal
The survey shows that many young people are deciding on their own when to buy gold. About 66.7 per cent said buying gold today is mostly a personal decision and not mainly influenced by family. Also, 42.3 per cent respondents said they started the most recent gold purchase in their home, while 40 per cent said it was done by parents or elders.
This shows a clear difference between generations. Gen Z is more confident about making their own gold-buying decisions. Millennials, however, still look at gold as part of family planning and long-term safety.
Smaller Gold Purchases Are Rising
Large, one-time gold purchases are slowly becoming less common. Instead, people are choosing to buy small amounts more often.
Around 61.9 per cent of recent gold purchases were below 5 grams. Out of this, 27.5 per cent bought less than 2 grams and 34.4 per cent bought between 2 and 5 grams. Also, 42 per cent of households now prefer smaller and more regular buying, while 58 per cent still buy gold mainly for special events.
For many young buyers, gold is no longer just linked to weddings. About 24.3 per cent said their first gold purchase happened after getting their first salary. Another 23.9 per cent said it was purely for investment. The survey also found that 52.7 per cent are very likely to buy gold in the next 12 to 24 months.
February 14, 2026, 18:59 IST
