G8
The G8 is an international forum for the governments of eight of the world’s largest economies. The forum was established in 1975 and is composed of the United States, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, and Russia. The forum meets annually to discuss economic and political issues of global importance. The G8 is not a formal organization, but rather an informal gathering of leaders from the eight countries.
History of the G8
The G8 was established in 1975 as the G6, with the United States, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, and the United Kingdom as the founding members. Canada joined the forum in 1976, and Russia joined in 1997. The forum was originally established to discuss economic and political issues of global importance. Over the years, the G8 has expanded its scope to include topics such as global health, climate change, and energy security.
Comparison of G8 Countries
| Country | GDP (in trillions USD) | Population (in millions) |
|---|---|---|
| United States | 21.44 | 328.2 |
| Canada | 1.68 | 37.59 |
| France | 2.77 | 67.41 |
| Germany | 3.97 | 83.02 |
| Italy | 2.00 | 60.36 |
| Japan | 4.94 | 126.77 |
| United Kingdom | 2.83 | 66.44 |
| Russia | 1.63 | 144.5 |
Summary
The G8 is an international forum for the governments of eight of the world’s largest economies. The forum was established in 1975 and is composed of the United States, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, and Russia. The forum meets annually to discuss economic and political issues of global importance. The G8 is not a formal organization, but rather an informal gathering of leaders from the eight countries. For more information about the G8, visit the official website of the G8 or the websites of the individual countries.
See Also
- G20
- World Bank
- International Monetary Fund
- World Trade Organization
- United Nations
- European Union
- North Atlantic Treaty Organization
- Group of Seven
- Group of Twenty
- Group of 77
