Honestly, if you're still thinking of BRICS as just those five original countries, you're living in 2023. Things have moved fast. For a long time, the acronym was a tidy little package: Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa. Easy to remember. Great for headlines. But as of 2026, that neat little branding has basically exploded into something much larger, more complicated, and—to be frank—a bit confusing for anyone trying to keep track of the global power balance.
So, which countries are BRICS right now? It isn't just a five-member club anymore.
The core group has officially expanded to include a bunch of new heavy hitters. We’re talking about Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and most recently, Indonesia. If you’re counting, that brings the total to 11 full members.
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Wait. What about Saudi Arabia?
That's where it gets kinda tricky. While the Saudis were invited back in the big 2024 expansion, their status has been a bit "it's complicated." They’ve been participating in the meetings, and as of late 2025/early 2026, they are effectively treated as full members, even if the formal paperwork occasionally feels like a moving target.
The New Map: Which Countries are BRICS in 2026?
To understand why this matters, you've gotta look at the sheer scale of this group. It’s no longer just a "emerging markets" hobby group. When you ask which countries are BRICS today, you’re looking at a bloc that controls a massive chunk of the world's oil, population, and—increasingly—its manufacturing power.
The Original Five (The Founders)
- Brazil: The Latin American anchor. They’re hosting the big summits and pushing hard for a world that doesn’t just revolve around the US Dollar.
- Russia: Despite all the sanctions and the war in Ukraine, Russia remains a central pillar here, mostly because they have the resources everyone else needs.
- India: Probably the most interesting member. They want to be a global leader, but they also want to keep their friendships with the West. It's a delicate dance.
- China: The engine. Let’s be real—without China, BRICS doesn't have nearly the same teeth.
- South Africa: Joined in 2010 and gave the group its "S." They represent the gateway to the African continent.
The Expansion Class
- Egypt: A massive win for the group's influence in the Middle East and Africa.
- Ethiopia: One of the fastest-growing economies in Africa, though they've had plenty of internal struggles lately.
- Iran: This was the big geopolitical shocker. It signals a move toward a more "anti-West" or at least "non-West" alignment.
- United Arab Emirates: They bring the cash. The UAE is a financial powerhouse and adds serious legitimacy to the group’s "New Development Bank."
- Indonesia: The newest full member as of 2025. This was a huge deal because Indonesia had been hesitant for years. Their entry gives BRICS a massive foothold in Southeast Asia.
- Saudi Arabia: Officially joined the fold after a period of "observing." Having the world's biggest oil exporter and the UAE in the same group as China and India? That's a shift in the global energy axis.
The "Partner" Confusion: Nigeria and the Others
It's not just about full members anymore. At the Kazan Summit in 2024, the group introduced a "Partner Country" status. This is sort of like a "BRICS Lite" or a "Member in Training" role.
Nigeria, the biggest economy in Africa, is currently a Partner Country. They haven’t gone for full membership yet, but they’re in the room. Other partners include places like Vietnam, Malaysia, Thailand, and Belarus.
Why does this matter? Because it shows that the queue is long. Over 30 countries have expressed interest. Everyone wants a seat at the table because they’re worried about being left behind if the world splits into two different economic systems.
Why Does Everyone Want In?
You've probably heard the term "de-dollarization." It sounds like a boring economic textbook chapter, but it's actually the main reason the list of which countries are BRICS is growing so fast.
Many of these nations saw what happened to Russia's bank accounts when the West froze them. They realized that if they rely 100% on the US Dollar, they are vulnerable. By joining BRICS, they’re looking for a backup plan. They want to trade in their own currencies—like the Yuan or the Rupee—and use the BRICS New Development Bank (NDB) for loans instead of the IMF.
It's not just about money, though. It's about respect. For decades, the "G7" (US, UK, Germany, etc.) called all the shots. Now, the BRICS countries represent almost half of the world's population. They feel like the old rules don't fit the new reality.
The Friction Points (It’s Not All Sunshine)
Don't let the big group photos fool you. This group has some serious beef.
China and India have a literal border dispute where soldiers have actually fought. Egypt and Ethiopia have been arguing over water rights for the Nile for years. Iran and Saudi Arabia are historic rivals, even if they've patched things up a bit lately.
Managing these egos is going to be the biggest challenge for India as it takes over the BRICS presidency in 2026.
Actionable Takeaways for Following BRICS
- Watch the Currency: Don't expect a "BRICS Currency" tomorrow. Instead, watch for countries like India and the UAE trading oil in Rupees or Dirhams. That's where the real change is.
- The "Partner" Path: Keep an eye on Nigeria and Vietnam. If they move from "Partner" to "Full Member," it means the bloc is successfully integrating different types of economies.
- India's Role: Since India is the 2026 Chair, look for them to try and keep the group from becoming too "anti-Western." India wants to be a bridge, not a wall.
The world is getting smaller, but the power centers are spreading out. Knowing which countries are BRICS is the first step in understanding why the 20th-century rules of business and politics are being rewritten in real-time. This isn't just a list of names; it's a map of where the money and influence are moving next.
Next Steps for You: If you're tracking these shifts for business or investment, your next move should be looking into the New Development Bank (NDB) projects. They are currently funding infrastructure across these member states that traditional Western banks often skip over. Keep an eye on the 18th BRICS Summit results later this year to see if the "Partner" countries like Nigeria finally make the jump to full status.