The Royal Mint | Updated August 2026
Hindsight, as they say, is a wonderful thing and for many UK adults, the past five years of gold and silver's remarkable performance is proving a case in point.
New research from The Royal Mint has revealed a growing sense of missed opportunity, with one in three (33%) UK adults now regretting not investing in gold over the past five years. Almost a third (30%) feel the same about silver. It's a level of regret that eclipses even that felt over Bitcoin, with just 20% saying they wish they'd invested in the cryptocurrency over the same period.
The numbers behind that sentiment are striking. Gold has risen by around 128% over the past five years, while silver has climbed by approximately 126%, leaving many reflecting on what might have been.
A climate of financial uncertainty
This sense of missed opportunity comes against a backdrop of widespread financial unease. Almost three-quarters (73%) of UK adults are concerned that global conflicts and economic instability could affect the value of their money, while two in three (66%) are worried about their overall financial future. More than half (53%) admit they're simply unsure where to put their money to keep it secure.
Yet despite this anxiety, old habits persist. Only one in four (25%) Brits say they're likely to put savings into gold or silver over the next five years, compared to 60% who would choose to keep their money in a high street bank current account.
Looking back, the same pattern holds true. Just 8% say they've held savings in gold over the past five years, and only 3% in silver, while almost two-thirds (63%) have relied on a high street current account.
A confidence gap
Underlying much of this hesitancy may be a broader issue, financial confidence itself. More than four in ten (41%) UK adults say they don't have enough financial knowledge to make a positive impact on their finances, including 11% who describe themselves as "completely clueless" about finances, saving and investing. At the other end of the scale, just 2% consider themselves financial experts.
Looking forward, not backward
Stuart O'Reilly, Private Wealth Consultant at The Royal Mint, says the findings point to something more meaningful than simple hindsight.
"It's been an extraordinary period for precious metals, and our research shows that many UK adults are reflecting on the opportunity they may have missed as gold and silver have delivered such strong returns. But investing isn't about looking backwards or chasing performance; it's about understanding the role different assets can play within a long-term, diversified financial strategy.
"While interest rate expectations can create short-term pressure on precious metals, the longer-term investment case remains compelling. Continued central bank demand, geopolitical uncertainty, fiscal pressures and the need for diversification continue to provide structural support.
"Our research also highlights the importance of improving financial understanding, so more people can make informed decisions about where precious metals may fit within their wider financial plans."
Finding the right approach for you
The Royal Mint understands the importance of taking a long-term approach to investing rather than attempting to chase past performance. Precious metals are just one of many asset types that investors may choose to consider as part of a wider portfolio, and whether they have a role to play will depend on an individual's own goals, circumstances and attitude to risk. Anyone considering their options may wish to seek independent financial advice.
To explore our range of physical and digital precious metal investment options, visit www.royalmint.com/invest.
About the research
The Royal Mint conducted its Attitude to Precious Metals research to understand how UK adults feel about saving, investing, and the role precious metals could play in their financial plans. The online survey of 2,003 UK adults was conducted between 31 July and 4 August 2026.
All figures are based on respondents' answers to the survey questions. Gold and silver performance figures refer to the approximate increase in value over the five-year period referenced in the research.
For general information purposes only. Not investment advice. Investments in physical bullion products are not regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority, and are not covered by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme or the Financial Ombudsman Service. The value of your investment can go down as well as up. Past performance is not indicative of future results.
