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In August last year, at the 15th annual BRICS summit in Johannesburg, the founding members—Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa—announced a significant expansion. Six new countries joined their ranks: Saudi Arabia, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, Iran, Ethiopia, and initially Argentina. This move dramatically increased the group's geopolitical weight overnight.
Map data and recent reports illustrate that with these additions, BRICS now encompasses nearly 50% of the world’s population. Its economic clout is equally formidable, controlling approximately 40% of global GDP measured by purchasing power parity. This makes BRICS+ surpass the G7 in size and influence, signaling a potential realignment of global economic leadership.