Why the world is using more silver than ever

Silver prices are climbing as demand for the metal accelerates across multiple essential industries. Far from being used only for bullion and collectibles, silver plays a critical role in modern technology. As the most electrically conductive metal on Earth, it is a key component in electronics such as smartphones, laptops, servers, and the circuit boards that power the digital economy.

Energy transition trends are adding further pressure. Solar panels depend on silver paste to efficiently conduct electricity, and expanding global solar adoption continues to increase consumption. Electric vehicles also require significantly more silver than traditional cars, using it in batteries, power controls, and onboard electronics.

Silver is equally important in medicine, where its natural antimicrobial properties are used in wound care, medical tools, water purification, and infection-resistant surfaces. Many of these applications consume silver in tiny amounts that are rarely recycled, gradually tightening supply.

When rising industrial demand coincides with renewed interest in silver as a safe-haven asset, the result is sustained upward pressure on prices.