BRICS Economic Power and World Leaders: The World Watches a Power Show from Delhi

Source: Aaj Tak | Original Published At: 2026-09-11 12:30:32 UTC

Key Points

• BRICS now comprises 11 members: Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, and Indonesia.
• The 18th BRICS summit begins in New Delhi on 12 September with 11 member countries and 10 partner countries, involving 21 participating countries.
• BRICS members together represent about 49.5% of the world population, 40% of global GDP, and 26% of global trade.
• In 2025, BRICS accounted for 40.5% of world output in purchasing power parity terms, compared with 28.3% for the G7.
• Measured at current exchange rates in US dollars, BRICS accounted for 27.9% of world output in 2025, while the G7 accounted for 44.4%.
• India's share of world output in PPP terms rose from 4% in 2001 to 8.2% in 2025, with the IMF projecting 10% by 2031.
• The article notes that China accounts for 59.5% of BRICS output measured in dollars and that Saudi Arabia's full membership has not been publicly confirmed by Riyadh.