BRICS is now a multilateral body of 21 countries with 11 full member countries and 10 partners, and now forms an international diplomatic and economic network. The expansion of the bloc has made it even more important for emerging countries and developing ones to have more room to operate and develop with the growing size of the bloc as a larger organization.
BRICS members and partner countries make up a huge share of the world population. The new group now comprises half of humanity, and the combined economic weight of the bloc is estimated to be about 40% of global GDP from purchasing power parity (PPP). It also handles 25% of the world’s trade.
These numbers demonstrate why BRICS has attracted more international attention. What started as a group of Brazil, Russia, India, and China before South Africa joined has evolved considerably, and as the group expanded, so did many other countries from different regions to become a part of the greater BRICS equation.
Growth has changed the geographical and economic nature of the organization. BRICS now comprises major economies, energy producers and developing countries from different parts of the world. That increases the membership level of the group from Asia, Africa, the Middle East and Latin America.
BRICS IS MASSIVE NOW 🔥
— Megh Updates 🚨™ (@MeghUpdates) September 12, 2026
11 full members + 10 partner countries = 21 nations.
Together, they represent nearly half of humanity, ~40% of global GDP (PPP) and around 25% of global trade. 🔥pic.twitter.com/3RYamxfVKu
BRICS is an opportunity as well as a challenge for India. New Delhi has always had to work for more representation for developing countries in international forums and for stronger cooperation among emerging economies. A much bigger BRICS will allow India to strengthen economic, technological and diplomatic ties with countries across the world.
The bloc's combined economic weight is particularly important. BRICS accounts for over 40% of global GDP on a PPP basis and so represents a significant portion of global economic activity. PPP measures take into account differences in the purchasing power of currencies and are particularly useful in comparing the economic size of countries with different price levels.
Trade is also of great importance. Nearly one-quarter of global trade is in BRICS, and with the rise of those countries, cooperation in payments, logistics, supply chains, energy and investment would be crucial in terms of the broader effects for all the countries in the membership of the organization.
And the BRICS footprint is growing at the same time that the global economic and political landscape is rapidly changing. And countries are seeking to diversify trade relationships and build domestic supply chains, away from the dangers of reliance on individual markets (or currencies).
But the size of BRICS does not mean all members have the same political or economic objectives. The countries have divergent national interests, economic structures and foreign policy objectives. Turning the bloc’s combined economic and demographic weight into coordinated action might remain a major challenge.
But the numbers show the scale of the expanded organisation. More than half of humanity, about 40% of global GDP on a PPP basis and a quarter of global trade, make BRICS an important player in discussions of the future of the world economy.
BRICS and its role in global affairs will, of course, be an important focus for policymakers and investors as it partners and cooperates. The transformation from a relatively small economic group to a 21-nation network is a seismic shift in international trade diplomacy.
