India Grows Faster Than China in BRICS Over Five Years, But Gap Remains Huge
India’s aggregate income grew faster than China’s between 2020 and 2025, but China remains the dominant economic power within BRICS.
China continues to dominate the BRICS grouping economically, but India has recorded faster growth over the past five years, according to an analysis of aggregate income based on World Bank data.
The analysis found that BRICS’ share of global income increased from 21.9% in 2011 to 28.9% in 2025. However, excluding China, the combined share of the other members declined from 11.9% to 11.5%. China accounted for about 72% of the bloc’s overall income increase during that period.
India’s recent performance presents a different picture. Its aggregate Gross National Income (GNI), calculated using GNI per capita and population, rose from around $2.67 trillion in 2020 to approximately $4.04 trillion in 2025, an increase of about 52%.
China’s GNI grew from roughly $15.15 trillion to $20.02 trillion over the same period, representing growth of around 32%. Despite India’s faster pace, China’s economy remained nearly five times larger in 2025.
India’s GNI increased from about 18% of China’s in 2020 to around 20% in 2025, showing a modest narrowing of the gap.
China also remains far ahead in global trade. Its contribution continues to account for the overwhelming majority of BRICS’ increase in goods exports, while India’s global export share has improved only marginally.
