Top 10 richest global central banks in 2024—check India’s RBI rank

The total wealth of central banks reflects the economic outlook of their respective countries, which is mainly assessed through the central bank’s assets, with the balance sheet acting as a crucial indicator of the nation’s economic health.

When evaluating a central bank’s assets, several factors come into play. Foreign exchange reserves, which include monetary gold, foreign currency holdings, Special Drawing Rights (SDRs), and reserve positions in the International Monetary Fund (IMF), are critical indicators of a central bank’s financial health.

These reserves provide a buffer against economic shocks and enhance the central bank’s ability to manage its currency’s value. Notably, the Federal Reserve System of the United States of America ranks as the world’s richest central bank, with assets worth $7.84 trillion, as per recent data by the Sovereign Wealth Fund Institute.

Meanwhile, it’s also worth stating that European central banks dominate the rankings of the world’s richest central banks, with seven out of the top ten central banks based in Europe, with a combined worth of $11.09 trillion.

However, on the contrary, the absence of African central banks in the top 10 list can be largely attributed to the challenges facing the region, including rising inflation, fragile financial markets, and a weak monetary policy transmission system.

Interestingly, India’s Reserve Bank of India ranks 12th around the world. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) balance sheet grew by 11.08% year on year to Rs 70.47 trillion as of March 31, 2024, owing to its liquidity and foreign currency (forex) activities.

Top 10 richest central banks in the world, by total assets:

Explore the top 10 wealthiest central banks in the world by total assets, as complied by Sovereign Wealth Fund Institute (SWFI):