The ILO and the BRICS

The BRICS are a group of countries comprising Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa. Since 2009, BRICS countries are meeting annually at formal summits and the ILO is supporting the respective BRICS presidencies.

Facts & Figures

  • The unemployment rate in BRICS countries decreased to 4.8 per cent in 2022 and is projected to decrease further to 4.7 per cent in 2023.
  • About 9.8 per cent of the adult and 28.4 per cent of the youth labour force was underutilized in 2019; i.e. they were either unemployed, underemployed or not in employment but interested in working, however existing conditions limit their active job search and/or their availability.
  • The gender gap in the labour force participation rate stood at 27.7 percentage points in 2022, almost unchanged from 27.8 percentage points in 2021 and 27.6 percentage points in 2020.
  • The youth unemployment rate decreased to 18.8 per cent in 2022, down from 22.4 per cent in 2020.
  • The share of youth not in employment, education or training (NEET) for men decreased to 15.4 per cent in 2022, from 18.3 per cent in 2020, and for women it remained nearly constant at 35.8 per cent in 2022, compared to 36.1 per cent in 2020.
  Source: ILOSTAT, 7 February 2023, more information: https://ilostat.ilo.org

ILO contributions to the BRICS

  1. International Monetary Fund Committee

    ILO Director-General statement to the International Monetary Fund IMFC

    14 October 2023

  2. World Bank Development Committee

    ILO Director-General statement to the World Bank Development Committee

    12 October 2023

  3. BRICS Ministers of Labour and Employment meeting

    ILO Director-General welcomes BRICS commitment to ensuring decent work, dignity and respect for all

    29 September 2023

  4. 9th BRICS Labour and Employment Ministerial Meeting

    ILO Director-General speech on “ Labour rights - Ensuring rights at work”

    28 September 2023