First published by Money Metals here: https://www.moneymetals.com/news/2019/02/04/central-bank-gold-purchases-hit-record-2018-001710

Official gold purchases reached a new record in 2018 as central banks continued to diversify away from the U.S. Dollar. Not only was 2018 a banner year for central bank gold purchases, but it was also the highest amount for more than five decades.