Best and worst year for Gold
+65%
Updated July 1, 2026 · closing prices (not exportable), in U.S. dollars
Gold's best year was 2025, when it rose 65%; the worst was 2013, fell 28%. In dollars, with the series since 2000.
Gold's return for each calendar year, in dollars — the best and worst year. Each year is December's close over the prior December's, since 2000.
Gold's strongest stretch in this series falls in the 2000s, when a weakening dollar, low real rates and rising crisis demand carried the metal up year after year toward its 2011 peak. Its worst single year was 2013, when an improving economy and talk of tighter policy sent gold sharply lower as investors rotated back toward risk. Our window starts in 2000, so the famous 1970s climb after the gold standard ended sits before it, as background rather than a number here. Gold pays no interest and produces no cash flow, so its whole return is price. As with stocks, the extreme years define the journey far more than the average does.
Return by year
Every year
| Year | Return (USD) | |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 · partial | -5% | |
| 2025 | +65% | best |
| 2024 | +27% | |
| 2023 | +13% | |
| 2022 | -0% | |
| 2021 | -3% | |
| 2020 | +25% | |
| 2019 | +19% | |
| 2018 | -2% | |
| 2017 | +14% | |
| 2016 | +8% | |
| 2015 | -10% | |
| 2014 | -1% | |
| 2013 | -28% | worst |
| 2012 | +7% | |
| 2011 | +10% | |
| 2010 | +30% | |
| 2009 | +24% | |
| 2008 | +6% | |
| 2007 | +31% | |
| 2006 | +23% | |
| 2005 | +18% | |
| 2004 | +5% | |
| 2003 | +20% | |
| 2002 | +25% | |
| 2001 | +2% | |
| 2000 · partial | -2% |
Nominal return in dollars for each year (December over the prior December); the first year uses the series' effective entry. "Partial" years lack a full year of data and are excluded from best/worst.
Frequently asked questions
What was Gold's best year?
2025, with +65% in dollars. It uses December's close over the prior December's.
And Gold's worst year?
2013, with -28%. Bad years happen: the table shows every one, best to worst.
Are the returns adjusted for inflation?
No — these are nominal yearly returns in dollars. For the real gain, remove that year's inflation (CPI).
Keep exploring
Descriptive, educational content computed from official public data. Not investment advice. Past performance does not guarantee future results.