Einar H. Dyvik
Research expert covering Nordics and global data for society, economy, and politics
G20 - statistics & facts
The Group of Twenty, more commonly referred to as the G20, is a forum of the world’s 20 leading industrialized and emerging economies. G20 summits provide the world’s most important leaders with the opportunity to discuss the issues related to the global economy in an informal setting. The G20 was first established in 1999, in response to criticism that the Group of Seven (G7) was outdated and overly restrictive. Apart from Japan, no other country from outside of North America and Europe is a member of the G7. As such, the G20 seeks to recognize the role of emerging economies in the governance of global affairs.
The members of the G20 are Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Russia, South Korea, Turkey, South Africa, Saudi Arabia, the United Kingdom, and the United States, as well as the European Union, and the African Union as regional governmental bodies. Together, these countries account for around 80 percent of the global gross domestic product (GDP). The data from the International Monetary Fund also suggests that the establishment of the G20 was justifiable, as the share of global GDP of the G20 countries is projected to grow over time, whereas that of the G7 is forecast to decrease. Not only does the G20 cover a higher share of the world's economy, it also accounts for around two thirds of the world's total population, compared to only 10 percent in the G7 countries.
Furthermore, there are strongly conflicting views on the Russia-Ukraine war, with G20-member Russia invading Ukraine in February 2022 and the United States and many other developed countries supporting Ukraine both militarily and financially, and imposing sanctions on Russia. The war had direct implications on the G20 summit in India in 2023 when Russia's president Vladimir Putin chose not to attend the summit and sent his foreign secretary instead. A communique approved by Brazilian president Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva during the 2024 summit in Brazil was criticized by German chancellor Olaf Scholz, French president Emmanuel Macron, the UK's prime minister Keir Starmer, and Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau for being too soft on Russia's role in the war. Immediately after the outbreak of the war, support for Ukraine was higher in North America and Europe than in the rest of the world, where many perceive that the war does not concern them. Additionally, some of the member countries from the Global South are pushing for a global wealth tax for the world's wealthiest, a move opposed by wealthier countries such as the United States, Canada, Germany, and the United Kingdom.
Moreover, the G20 has been criticized for undermining the global structures established after World War II, such as the United Nations, the World Bank, and the IMF. Leaders of countries outside the G20 have pointed out that at G20 summits, the most powerful world leaders can discuss pressing global issues without the need to be concerned about the voices of smaller countries. Further critique has centered around the politization of the G20 and the growing tensions between some of its member countries, particularly between Russia and China and the United States. Nevertheless, Brazil's president Lula da Silva tried to move the focus away from these issues by emphasizing the importance of poverty alleviation and hunger reduction at the 2024 summit.
The members of the G20 are Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Russia, South Korea, Turkey, South Africa, Saudi Arabia, the United Kingdom, and the United States, as well as the European Union, and the African Union as regional governmental bodies. Together, these countries account for around 80 percent of the global gross domestic product (GDP). The data from the International Monetary Fund also suggests that the establishment of the G20 was justifiable, as the share of global GDP of the G20 countries is projected to grow over time, whereas that of the G7 is forecast to decrease. Not only does the G20 cover a higher share of the world's economy, it also accounts for around two thirds of the world's total population, compared to only 10 percent in the G7 countries.
Diverging interests
While the G20 aims to foster global economic growth, trade, sustainable development, and health, and to fight climate change and corruption, the group of such diverse members naturally have very different views on global affairs. For instance, the United States and China, the world's two largest economies, find themselves in a trade conflict, and tensions between the two are rising as China is expanding its military activity in the South China Sea and because of the disputed status of Taiwan.Furthermore, there are strongly conflicting views on the Russia-Ukraine war, with G20-member Russia invading Ukraine in February 2022 and the United States and many other developed countries supporting Ukraine both militarily and financially, and imposing sanctions on Russia. The war had direct implications on the G20 summit in India in 2023 when Russia's president Vladimir Putin chose not to attend the summit and sent his foreign secretary instead. A communique approved by Brazilian president Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva during the 2024 summit in Brazil was criticized by German chancellor Olaf Scholz, French president Emmanuel Macron, the UK's prime minister Keir Starmer, and Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau for being too soft on Russia's role in the war. Immediately after the outbreak of the war, support for Ukraine was higher in North America and Europe than in the rest of the world, where many perceive that the war does not concern them. Additionally, some of the member countries from the Global South are pushing for a global wealth tax for the world's wealthiest, a move opposed by wealthier countries such as the United States, Canada, Germany, and the United Kingdom.
Criticism - under-representation and undermining existing global order
Even though the G20 represents both a higher share of the global population and of the world economy than the G7 and the BRICS countries, it has received criticism for its exclusive membership. The G20 has particularly been criticized for an underrepresentation of the African continent, with South Africa being the only African member-state. As a result, the African Union joined the G20 in 2023, representing all 54 African states as well as Western Sahara. Additionally, it has been pointed out that countries such as Spain, the Netherlands, Switzerland, and Poland all have larger GDPs than for instance Argentina and South Africa. Spain is a permanent guest to the G20, but has not sought a permanent membership.Moreover, the G20 has been criticized for undermining the global structures established after World War II, such as the United Nations, the World Bank, and the IMF. Leaders of countries outside the G20 have pointed out that at G20 summits, the most powerful world leaders can discuss pressing global issues without the need to be concerned about the voices of smaller countries. Further critique has centered around the politization of the G20 and the growing tensions between some of its member countries, particularly between Russia and China and the United States. Nevertheless, Brazil's president Lula da Silva tried to move the focus away from these issues by emphasizing the importance of poverty alleviation and hunger reduction at the 2024 summit.
