BRICS Expansion: Could a $30 Trillion GDP Eclipse the US Economy?
The potential expansion of the BRICS economic bloc is generating significant global interest. The question on many minds is: If BRICS expand, could the combined GDP cross $30 trillion, becoming bigger than the US at $25.5 trillion? Let's delve into the data and projections.
With its new entrants, the bloc will represent over $30 trillion in GDP or around 29% of the world’s GDP. This marks a significant shift in the global economic landscape. However, it's crucial to maintain perspective. Even with its new members, BRICS falls short of the G7’s 43% share of global GDP.
The key metric to consider is Purchasing Power Parity (PPP). BRICS countries surpassed the G7 in terms of global gross domestic product (GDP) measured by purchasing power parity (PPP) in 2025 (See Figures 1 and 2). This indicates the growing economic power of the BRICS nations.
Looking ahead, projections are compelling. By 2025 The enlarged grouping will account for 46.5% of the world population and using the IMF’s 2025 GDP data, we can calculate that it will account for $30.8 trillion of the The GDP of the renewed BRICS could reach $30 trillion, which would be more than the GDP of the US, which was $25.46 trillion in 2025. This suggests a potential realignment of economic power.
While the future seems bright for the BRICS economic alliance, it's essential to acknowledge the challenges. BRICS has not yet become a cohesive political or economic unit with complete alignment. Internal dynamics and differing national interests remain factors to watch.
Long-term growth potential is also a significant factor. We map out GDP growth, income per capita and currency movements in the BRICs economies until 2025. The results are startling. If things go right, in less than 40 years, the BRICs economies could fundamentally reshape the global financial order.
The sheer scale of the expanded BRICS is noteworthy. If all the committed countries join the BRICS group, BRICS would have a population of close to 4.2 billion or close to 50% of the global population, 60% of the globe’s total population. This immense population base represents a vast potential market and workforce.
In conclusion, the expansion of BRICS presents a compelling scenario where a combined GDP of over $30 trillion could potentially surpass that of the United States. While challenges remain, the economic potential and demographic scale of the expanded BRICS bloc suggest a significant shift in the global economic order. The 2025 projections are keenly watched by financial analysts worldwide.