
The ILO and the BRICS
The BRICS is a forum for cooperation among a group of leading emerging economies.
The BRICS includes 10 countries - Brazil, China, Egypt, Ethiopia, India, Indonesia, Iran, Russian Federation, South Africa, United Arab Emirates.
The ILO is a key knowledge partner and provides technical inputs to the BRICS on policies that promote decent work and promote decent work. It conducts analysis and provides policy recommendations on labour, economic and social issues to support discussions of the group.
Facts and Figures
Labour force participation rate
The labour force participation rate in BRICS countries is 60.8 % in 2024.
Unemployment rate
The unemployment rate in BRICS countries is 5.04 % in 2024.
Jobs gap rate
The jobs gap rate in BRICS countries is 8.63 % in 2024.
Youth NEET rate
The youth not in education, employment or training (NEET) rate in BRICS countries is 19.16 % in 2024.
Informality rate
The informality rate in BRICS countries is 62.44 % in 2024.
ILO and the 2025 BRICS Presidency
Brazil holds the BRICS Presidency in 2025.
The five priorities of the Brazilian Presidency are:
- Facilitating Trade and Investment: Promoting economic integration through the development of efficient payment systems
- Regulating Artificial Intelligence: Encouraging inclusive and responsible AI governance for development purposes
- Addressing Climate Change: Enhancing financing mechanisms to support global efforts, in coordination with the COP30 climate summit
- Public Health Collaboration: Strengthening cooperation projects among member countries, focusing on improving public health systems
- Institutional Development: Bolstering the internal frameworks of BRICS to ensure effective governance and decision-making
The Employment Working Group
The BRICS 2025 Brazil Presidency has set two main priorities for the Employment Working Group:
- Artificial Intelligence and the Future of Work
- Impacts of Climate Change on Work and a Just Transition
News and articles

BRICS Brazil
The ILO calls on BRICS to strengthen efforts on social justice as groundbreaking LEMM declaration on AI and Just Transition is adopted
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Press Release
Brasília Hosts the 4th BRICS Employment Working Group Meeting Focused on Artificial Intelligence and Just Transition
Most recent publications
Factsheet 2025
BRICS-ILO Cooperation 2025
Factsheet 2024
BRICS + and ILO Cooperation
Contact us
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