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Global South
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Concept

Global South

Loose Coalition of developing nations in Africa, Asia, and Latin America asserting non-aligned Foreign Policy Independent of Western or Russian blocs.

On 14 May 2026, Iran used a BRICS meeting in New Delhi to seek support over Hormuz, exposing the Global South as a political frame rather than a disciplined bloc.

Last refreshed: 22 September 2026

Key Question

Is the Global South a coherent bloc or a rhetorical label that obscures deep divergence?

Timeline for Global South

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Background

The Global South is a loose geopolitical label for developing and middle-income states, mainly in Africa, Asia and Latin America. Global South has no treaty organisation or fixed membership. BRICS, the G77 and the Non-Aligned Movement provide overlapping forums through which its members press for greater influence in global institutions.

The term describes shared interests more reliably than shared policy. Many states seek more room to act outside Western and Russian power centres, question sanctions regimes and favour a more multipolar order. Countries described as the Global South often take different positions on energy, trade and security.

That limit was visible on 14 May 2026, when Iran appealed to BRICS over the Hormuz crisis while India faced pressure to preserve its own energy access. The concept remains useful for tracking Coalition-building and diplomatic rhetoric, but it does not predict concerted action.

Common Questions
What is the Global South?
Geopolitical grouping of developing and historically non-aligned states across Latin America, Africa, Asia, Oceania.Source: academic consensus
Why is Iran courting the Global South in 2026?
Tehran uses BRICS and G77 forums to build diplomatic counterweight to US sanctions and military pressure, surfaced via Araghchi at BRICS Delhi 14 May 2026.Source: Mehr News
Which states anchor the Global South diplomatically?
India, China, Brazil and South Africa anchor commercially; Iran, Russia and Venezuela use the bloc as Western counterweight.Source: BRICS membership
How does the Global South differ from Third World?
Global South emphasises political alignment over Cold War economic ranking; broader and less pejorative usage.Source: academic usage
What is the Global South and which countries are in it?
The Global South is a geopolitical term for roughly 130 developing and middle-income states in Africa, Asia, Latin America, and Oceania. It is not a formal bloc with fixed membership but groups states that share a history of colonialism and scepticism of Western-led international institutions. Main collective forums include BRICS, the G77, and the Non-Aligned Movement.Source: UN G77 / BRICS
Is the Global South the same as BRICS?
No. BRICS is one institutional vehicle within the broader Global South concept. The G77 (130+ states) and the Non-Aligned Movement are larger forums. BRICS has a fixed membership and holds annual summits; G77 and NAM are looser UN negotiating blocs.Source: BRICS / G77
Why do Global South countries not support Western sanctions on Russia or Iran?
Most Global South states prioritise sovereign non-interference, dislike the dollar's dominance in trade settlement, and resent Western-led sanctions that affect their own trade and energy costs. Their abstentions are not endorsements of Russia or Iran but assertions that the Western framing of these conflicts does not represent their interests.Source: UN General Assembly voting records
Does India lead the Global South?
India positions itself as a voice for the Global South and has hosted G20 and G77 events with that framing. However, it is a strategic rival of China (also a major Global South actor) and maintains close economic ties with both the United States and Russia simultaneously, making it a balancer rather than a bloc leader.Source: Indian MEA
How much economic weight does the Global South have?
Global South states collectively account for roughly 60 per cent of world GDP measured at purchasing-power parity, and are responsible for the majority of projected global growth through 2050. This share has grown significantly since the 1990s, shifting the multilateral balance of economic weight away from the G7.Source: IMF World Economic Outlook

Written with AI from Lowdown's published reporting. Not individually reviewed by an editor. Updated 22 September 2026. Editorial standards.