Eurostat published figures in order to compare the four BRIC countries (Brazil, Russia, India and China) and the EU. The figures published show that even though the BRIC countries have certain aspects in common, such as large populations, large land coverage and rapid economic growth, there are equally large economic and social differences between them.

"The European Union and the BRIC countries" is the latest publication released by Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union, with regard to the figures comparing Brazil, Russia, India and China and the EU. In particular, this publication contains data on demography, economy, health, education, labour market, trade in goods, agriculture, energy and environment, transport and communication as well as science and technology. Recently, a Commission's report showed some success to dismantle trade barriers to six strategic economic partners.

Among the data, Eurostat reported that the population of the BRIC countries is nearly six times higher than the EU. In addition to this, the BRIC countries have a younger population than the EU. In 2010 those aged less than 15 made up 31% of the population in India, 24% in Brazil, 19% in China and 15% in Russia. In the EU, 16% of the population were aged less than 15. The EU had a significantly higher share of the population aged over 60 than all the BRIC countries. Furthermore, the marriage rate is twice as high in China as in the EU.

With regard to the GDP, EU GDP is nearly 50% higher than the BRIC countries. Among the BRIC countries, China had the highest GDP, followed by Brazil, India and Russia. On a global level, in 2010, the EU was the largest player in world trade, accounting for 17% of world trade, followed by the USA (14%) and China (12%), compared with 3% for Russia and 2% each for India and Brazil. All four of the BRIC countries were among the ten largest trading partners of the EU in 2010, with China in second place, Russia third, India eighth and Brazil tenth.