Most expensive metal of the 21st century named

“If we compare the cost of metals at the very end of the 20th century, in 2000, and in the 21st century, for example at the end of 2025, based on World Bank statistics, most major metals became more expensive, but gold rose the most — twelvefold,” the analyst said.

In addition, the price of copper rose 5.87 times over the same period, iron ore 3.39 times, nickel 1.71 times and aluminum 1.66 times.

The expert noted that their price growth in the 21st century was influenced by the overall rise in global consumer prices, for example amid higher mining and processing costs, energy prices, equipment prices, and changes in the U.S. dollar exchange rate.

Overall, price dynamics for major industrial metals in the 21st century were affected by crises in financial markets, particularly in 2008–2009 and 2019–2020, as well as changes in supply and demand, she added.

The analyst believes that fluctuations in the cost of oil and other energy resources also affect metal prices.