BRICS Expands with 9 New Partner Countries. Now it’s Half of World Population, 41% of Global Economy

BRICS Expands with 9 New Partner Countries. Now it’s Half of World Population, 41% of the Global Economy

By Geopolitical Economy Report

The Global South-led organization BRICS continues to expand, adding 9 partner countries in January 2025, after admitting 4 new members in 2024. The group now makes up roughly half of the global population and more than 41% of world GDP (PPP). It’s an economic powerhouse, with top producers of key commodities like oil, gas, grains, meat, minerals, and more. Ben Norton analyzes the growing influence of BRICS+. BRICS MEMBERSHIP (9 members + 9 partner countries)

  • 5 original members are Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa.
  • 4 new members officially admitted in January 2024 are Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, UAE. (Saudi Arabia has neither accepted nor denied the invitation. Argentina rejected the offer.)
  • 9 confirmed partner countries are Belarus, Bolivia, Cuba, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Thailand, Uganda, Uzbekistan.
  • 4 invited partner countries have not yet given a response: Algeria, Nigeria, Turkey/Türkiye, Vietnam.

Here’s what others had to say:

@clarenceedwards2866
I am happy for Cuba’s inclusion; as a Caribbean person myself, it is gut-wrenching to witness the horrible treatment that was meted out to Cuba by the US and it is high time that our Cuban brothers and sisters are able to fully take their place in world trade and other bi-lateral situations without this stifling US albatross around their necks.

@ayam8850
Thanks BRICS for giving Cuba a hope. Also to other countries that support Cuba.

@georgejesson1944
Cuba will finally have a brighter future

@PerceivedREALITY999
BRICS+ is a golden opportunity to unite. Mutually beneficial cooperation, respect, equality and a shared vision.

@Animusangel
American here, this shift makes so much sense. Change is needed to reset the balance of global power.

@MichelleLanghout
As an American, I’m glad to see so much of the world is rejecting our imperialism in the spirit of cooperation.
It’s going to suck here, but maybe it’s karma for our apathy about our abysmal foreign/economic policies and human rights violations.

@chekim2
Hopefully joining the block can bring some light to the economy of Cuba and Bolivia who badly need it since decades ago.

@BlackMaroonNetwork
Despite all hurdles from the west, BRICS remains a crucial platform for reshaping the global order and advancing the interests of emerging markets.

@tonyprice9525
Love your bringing all these stats to the table, esp the 10% of US GDP being physical manufacturing! My suspicion is the US is exerting enormous backroom pressure on countries to not join BRICS and for those in it to leave. The odd behaviours of India Brazil Turkey Saudi Arabia and Argentina all lend credence to this.
If BRICS succeeds in divorcing itself from Western control I can see the US in particular not being able to import many goods at all, and also not being able to afford to import them when the dollar reaches its true value.
I foresee the US resorting to war, threats of war, sanctions and assassinations to prevent BRICS from succeeding in establishing independence from the West.

@free2bme729
The growth of BRICS represents the global desire for multi-polar economies and a more balanced power structure.

@grannylil8036
Basically, BRiCS supports and promotes peace and collaboration! A mutually beneficial multipolar world!!

@AriesRebirth
BRICS, when you lift your neighbors up everyone rises.
USA, when you grind your neighbor under heel so you are always on top.

@Dragon-gl1rw
Great! BRICS now had 18 members. Three ASEAN members who were the top 3 largest economies joined.

@eskutts
Great news. BRICS must grow and the BRICS currency must be launched ASAP to help every country especially the poor and developing ones to grow in the future. Western countries unfair and unpredictable sanctions, tariffs, single payment mechanism and dominant currency is preventing growth and development of the poor and developing countries. BRICS currency is the saviour and it may even benefit the West indirectly by reducing the illegal migration if the developing and poor countries grow in the future. Hence US and its allies must actually encourage and support BRICS pay system and a new BRICS currency as well. Period

@austinbar
BRICS wants to build a new currency. It is also worth noting that gold has historically been used as a store of value and a means of exchange, and some countries still hold significant amounts of gold in their reserves. However, it is unclear how a new currency backed by gold would function in the current global financial system and whether it would gain widespread acceptance. Ultimately, any decision to create a new currency would be subiect to numerous economic, political, and logistical considerations.

 

Original source: https://youtu.be/k_shuhJvvBY?si=Sznio4ByYfIWoWgf