During the BRICS Business Forum, Russian President Vladimir Putin asserted that the economic influence of the BRICS bloc has surpassed that of the G7 nations. Putin stated that BRICS countries now account for a larger share of global GDP, framing this as an 'objective fact' resulting from global economic shifts over the past five years.

While Putin presented these figures as evidence of a shifting global order, the comparison between the two groups is complex. The G7—comprising the United States, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, and the United Kingdom—historically maintains higher per-capita GDP and remains deeply integrated into the global financial system. In contrast, the BRICS bloc—which includes Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, and recently expanded members—represents a larger portion of the world's population and significant emerging market growth.

Analysts note that the definition of 'contribution to global GDP' can vary depending on whether figures are calculated using market exchange rates or purchasing power parity (PPP). When using PPP, which adjusts for the cost of living and local prices, the BRICS nations have indeed seen their collective share of the global economy rise significantly, often outpacing the G7 in recent data. However, critics of the comparison argue that the G7 remains the dominant force in global trade and financial stability, and that the BRICS bloc lacks the unified economic policy or currency coordination seen among G7 members.