Fact Check: BRICS originally included Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa.

Fact Check: "BRICS originally included Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa."

What We Know

The claim states that the BRICS group originally included Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa. The term "BRIC" was first coined by economist Jim O'Neill in a 2001 report, where he identified Brazil, Russia, India, and China as emerging markets with significant growth potential (Learn about BRICS). The formal grouping began in 2006 when foreign ministers from these four countries met for the first time, marking the beginning of their collaborative efforts (BRICS).

South Africa was invited to join the group in 2010 and officially became a member in 2011, at which point the acronym changed from BRIC to BRICS (BRICS). Thus, the original grouping did not include South Africa, which was added later.

Analysis

The claim is partially true. While it accurately identifies Brazil, Russia, India, and China as the original members of the BRIC grouping, it incorrectly includes South Africa as part of the original formation. The grouping was initially established without South Africa, which only joined in 2011.

The sources used to verify this information are credible. The Learn about BRICS page provides a detailed history of the group's formation, emphasizing the initial four countries and the subsequent inclusion of South Africa. The Wikipedia page on BRICS corroborates this timeline and details the evolution of the group's membership. Both sources are well-regarded for their comprehensive coverage of international organizations and their historical contexts.

Conclusion

The verdict is Partially True. The claim correctly identifies the initial four members of BRIC—Brazil, Russia, India, and China—but inaccurately suggests that South Africa was part of the original group. South Africa joined later, in 2011, transforming BRIC into BRICS.

Sources

1. Learn about BRICS
2. BRICS
3. BRICS: Here’s what to know about the international bloc
4. Five questions about the BRICS nations | World Economic Forum
5. What Is the BRICS Group and Why Is It Expanding?
6. What is the state of the BRICS economies? | World Economic Forum
7. BRICS | Members, History, Name Origin, Proposed ...
8. BRICS in Expansion - The World Economic Forum