Global Central Banks Ranked by Total Assets in Q3 2025
According to the Economic Desk of Webangah News Agency, central banks worldwide play a pivotal role in shaping economic stability and monetary policy. Their balance sheets, often filled with government securities, foreign reserves, and other financial instruments, provide a window into their financial strength and strategic priorities.
The latest data from the Bank for International Settlements (BIS) reveals the world’s largest central banks by total assets as of the third quarter of 2025. This ranking reflects not only the size of major economies but also differences in monetary policy strategies, quantitative easing levels, and currency interventions.
According to Visual Capitalist, the top 10 central banks by assets are:
| Rank | Central Bank | Total Assets (USD billions) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Eurozone | 7,130 |
| 2 | China | 6,621 |
| 3 | United States | 6,587 |
| 4 | Japan | 4,517 |
| 5 | Switzerland | 1,108 |
| 6 | United Kingdom | 1,001 |
| 7 | India | 911 |
| 8 | Brazil | 898 |
| 9 | Singapore | 610 |
| 10 | Hong Kong | 534 |
The Eurozone leads the list with $7.13 trillion in total assets, followed closely by China ($6.62 trillion) and the United States ($6.59 trillion). These three economies collectively hold over half of the world’s central bank assets. Switzerland, despite its smaller population, boasts over $1.1 trillion in assets, a figure largely driven by currency interventions and foreign reserve accumulation.
What Constitutes Central Bank Assets?
Central bank assets include everything from gold and foreign currency reserves to government bonds and loans to financial institutions. These reserves form the foundation of a central bank’s monetary operations and its ability to influence interest rates, control inflation, and stabilize currency values. Central banks are increasingly expected to act not only as lenders of last resort but also as stabilizers of financial markets through asset purchases and liquidity facilities.
The Rise of Emerging Markets
While developed economies dominate the top of the list, emerging markets are making strides. The Reserve Bank of India holds $911 billion in assets, while Brazil follows with $898 billion. This financial influence contributes to broader shifts in global power dynamics. For instance, central bank reserves help support a country’s currency in international trade, giving nations with substantial reserves greater leverage in the global economy.
Although total assets do not measure GDP or productivity, they indicate a central bank’s capacity to stabilize markets or influence exchange rates. Countries with larger asset bases have more tools to manage financial shocks. As the world enters a new phase of monetary tightening and shifting global capital flows, understanding these asset levels provides insight into which economies are best positioned to withstand future volatility.
