In which one of the following groups are all the four countries members of G20?
Contents13
- AArgentina, Mexico, South Africa and Turkey
- BAustralia, Canada, Malaysia and New Zealand
- CBrazil, Iran, Saudi Arabia and Vietnam
- DIndonesia, Japan, Singapore and South Korea.
Show answer
Answer: (A) Argentina, Mexico, South Africa and Turkey
The G20 is an informal group of 19 countries and the European Union, with representatives of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank.
The G20 membership comprises a mix of the world's largest advanced and emerging economies, representing about two-thirds of the world's population, 85% of global gross domestic product, 80% of global investment and over 75% of global trade.
The G20 Presidency rotates annually according to a system that ensures a regional balance over time.
Option (a) is correct: The members of the G20 include:
- Argentina
- Australia
- Brazil
- Canada
- China
- France
- Germany
- India
- Indonesia
- Italy
- Japan
- Republic of Korea
- Mexico
- Russia
- Saudi Arabia
- South Africa
- Turkey
- the United Kingdom
- the United States
- the European Union.
G20 includes 19 countries plus the European Union as members, representing about 85% of global GDP and two-thirds of world population.
All BRICS countries (Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa) and all G7 countries are automatically G20 members, which helps eliminate wrong options quickly.
UPSC typically includes Malaysia, Singapore, Iran, Vietnam, and Nigeria as trap options since these are economically significant countries that students might assume are G20 members.
G20 Complete Membership List
World Affairs (International Relations) G20 Argentina Mexico South Africa Turkey
G20 Membership: Complete List & UPSC Memory Tricks
G20 has 19 countries + European Union as members
All BRICS countries (Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa) are G20 members
All G7 countries (US, Japan, Germany, UK, France, Italy, Canada) are G20 members
G20 represents about 85% of global GDP and 75% of global trade
What is G20
The Group of Twenty (G20) is the premier forum for international economic cooperation. It brings together the world's major advanced and emerging economies to discuss global economic issues, financial stability, and sustainable development.
Complete G20 Membership
Region | G20 Members | Key Details |
|---|---|---|
Asia-Pacific | Australia, China, India, Indonesia, Japan, South Korea | 6 countries including 3 BRICS nations |
Americas | Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Mexico, United States | 5 countries spanning North & South America |
Europe | European Union, France, Germany, Italy, Russia, Turkey, United Kingdom | 6 entities including EU as bloc |
Middle East & Africa | Saudi Arabia, South Africa | 2 countries representing these regions |
Memory Framework
All BRICS are in: Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa — every BRICS member is also G20
All G7 are in: US, Japan, Germany, UK, France, Italy, Canada — every G7 member is also G20
Major emerging economies: Argentina, Indonesia, Mexico, Turkey, Saudi Arabia complete the list
Plus EU: European Union participates as a bloc, making it 19 countries + 1 union
G20 Common Non-Members
World Affairs (International Relations) Malaysia New Zealand Iran Vietnam Singapore
Countries NOT in G20: UPSC's Favorite Distractors
Malaysia, Singapore are major Asian economies but NOT G20 members
Iran, Vietnam are emerging economies but NOT G20 members
New Zealand is developed but NOT G20 member
UPSC's Strategy
UPSC deliberately includes prominent non-members in wrong options to test precise knowledge. These countries are economically significant but missed G20 membership for various reasons — size, timing, or regional representation limits.
Major Non-Members by Region
Region | Prominent Non-Members | Why They Seem Like Members |
|---|---|---|
Asia-Pacific | Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, Philippines | Major ASEAN economies, significant trade partners |
Middle East | Iran, UAE, Israel | Oil producers or regional powers |
Europe | Switzerland, Norway, Sweden | Rich developed nations |
Others | New Zealand, Nigeria, Pakistan | Regional significance or Commonwealth ties |
Trap: Assuming all ASEAN major economies are G20 — only Indonesia is a member, not Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam
Trap: Thinking all oil-rich Middle Eastern countries are G20 — only Saudi Arabia is a member, not Iran or UAE
Trap: Believing all developed Commonwealth nations are G20 — Canada and UK are members, but New Zealand is not
Trap: Assuming BRICS dialogue partners like Iran are full G20 members — they participate in some forums but aren't G20 members
G20 Formation & Global Significance
World Affairs (International Relations)
G20: Origins, Evolution & Current Role in Global Governance
G20 formed in 1999 after Asian Financial Crisis for finance ministers' meetings
Elevated to Leaders' Summit level in 2008 during Global Financial Crisis
Annual rotating presidency — India held G20 Presidency in 2023
G20 Evolution Timeline
%%{init: {"flowchart": {"wrappingWidth": 460}}}%%
flowchart TD
s1["`**1999: Formation**
Created after **Asian Financial Crisis** — finance ministers & central bank governors meet`"]
s2["`**2008: Elevation**
**Global Financial Crisis** elevates G20 to **Leaders' Summit** level`"]
s3["`**2009-Present: Annual Summits**
**Rotating presidency** holds annual summit + ministerial meetings throughout year`"]
s4["`**2023: India's Presidency**
India hosted G20 Summit in **New Delhi** with theme 'One Earth, One Family, One Future'`"]
s1 --> s2
s2 --> s3
s3 --> s4Current Global Role
Economic coordination: Discusses fiscal policies, trade, financial regulation, and crisis response
Beyond economics: Now covers climate change, digital transformation, health, sustainable development
Consensus-based: Decisions through consultation and consensus, not binding like UN Security Council
Supplementing institutions: Works alongside IMF, World Bank, WTO rather than replacing them
India's G20 Presidency & Key Outcomes
World Affairs (International Relations)
India's G20 Presidency 2023: Achievements & Global South Leadership
India hosted G20 Summit in New Delhi, September 2023 with consensus Delhi Declaration
African Union granted permanent G20 membership during India's presidency
Theme: 'Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam' — One Earth, One Family, One Future
Strategic Significance
India's G20 presidency marked its emergence as a Global South leader and bridge between developed and developing nations. The successful consensus on Ukraine conflict and expansion of G20 membership demonstrated India's diplomatic capabilities.
Key Achievements Under India's Presidency
# India G20 Presidency 2023
## Membership Expansion
- African Union permanent member
- Enhanced Global South representation
- 55 African countries now represented
## Consensus Building
- Delhi Declaration adopted
- Ukraine conflict language agreed
- All 20 members signed on
## Priority Initiatives
- Digital Public Infrastructure
- Green Development Pact
- Women-led development
## Economic Outcomes
- Crypto asset regulation framework
- Supply chain resilience
- Financial inclusion goals