World organisations · Updated September 2026
G20 countries
G20 members in 2026: 19 countries plus the European Union and the African Union. What the G20 is — and what it is not (not a UN organ).
The G20 is a forum for large economies, not a parliament and not a UN body. It began in 1999 for finance ministers and became a leaders’ summit after the 2008 crash.
In 2026 the table has 19 countries plus two regional unions: the European Union (a long-standing member) and the African Union (invited as a permanent member in 2023). That is why some headlines say “G21” — they are counting the AU.
The 19 are Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Mexico, South Korea, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Türkiye, the United Kingdom and the United States. Spain is a permanent guest, not a full member.
G20 countries — key facts (2026)
| Topic | Fact |
|---|---|
| Started | 1999 (finance); leaders’ summits from 2008 |
| Country members | 19 |
| Regional members | European Union and African Union |
| Host rotates | Yes — a different presidency each year |
| India presidency | 2023 (New Delhi summit) |
| Not a UN organ | Decisions are political communiqués, not treaties |
| Share of world GDP | Most of it — the club is about economic weight |
| Spain | Permanent guest invitee |
Figures are the usual classroom and news-desk numbers for 2026. Border disputes and membership votes can change a count by one or two.
People also ask
How many G20 members are there in 2026?
19 countries + the EU + the African Union. People still say “G20” because the brand did not change.
Is the G20 the same as the G7?
No. The G7 is a smaller group of advanced democracies (Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, UK, USA, plus the EU). The G20 is wider and includes China, India, Brazil and others.
Is Africa only South Africa in the G20?
South Africa is a country member. The African Union now sits as a union member as well.