The fastest growing religion is poised to reshape global demographics in ways that are hard to ignore. Pew projects the world’s Muslim population will reach 3.0 billion by 2050, while the unaffiliated edge up from 16.3% to 16.9% between 2010 and 2015. By 2025 and beyond, the picture becomes even more specific in countries like the UK and the US, where shifts in identity, observance, and institutions all pull in different directions.
Key Takeaways
- In 2010-2015, the unaffiliated grew from 16.3% to 16.9% of world population?
- By 2050, the world’s Muslim population is projected to be 3.0 billion according to Pew?
- 52% of respondents in 2018 reported being religiously observant at least weekly?
- 31% of U.S. adults say religion is very important in their lives?
- 17% of U.S. adults identify as Muslim?
- Muslims in the U.S. have a median age of 29?
- 1.9 billion Muslims worldwide (2022) according to the World Population Review, representing an increase from 1.6 billion in 2010
- 400 million Jews worldwide (2022) according to the World Population Review, increasing from 380 million in 2010
- In the UK, the proportion of people identifying as Muslim increased from 4.5% in 2011 to 6.0% in 2021 (UK Census, England and Wales)
- The Pew Religious Landscape reports Islam was projected to be the fastest-growing major religion among the world’s populations between 2010 and 2050 (Pew projections)
- The BBC reports demographers’ assessments that Islam’s growth is driven by relatively higher fertility rates compared with many other major religions (demographic contribution summarized)
- The United Nations estimates global population will reach 9.7 billion in 2050 (UN World Population Prospects), providing baseline for denominator in religion share projections
- In the U.S., Muslims have a net inflow estimate of about +0.9 percentage points over 2007–2014 due to conversion and demographic factors (Pew analysis; displayed in changing religions report)
- In the U.S., churches and religious organizations report a 2023 employment base of about 1.7 million full-time-equivalent jobs, indicating institutional capacity for religious services (BLS employment by NAICS for religious institutions)
- In the U.S., there were 12,000+ mosque facilities (about 2.1 per million Muslims) in 2023 estimates compiled by IMS (Institute for Social Policy) (facility count statistic)
Muslimism is projected to grow fastest worldwide, reaching about 3 billion by 2050.
Related reading
01 · Category
Global Growth2 stats
01
In 2010-2015, the unaffiliated grew from 16.3% to 16.9% of world population?https://www.pewresearch.org/religion/2017/04/05/the-changing-global-religious-landscape/
02
By 2050, the world’s Muslim population is projected to be 3.0 billion according to Pew?https://www.pewresearch.org/religion/2015/04/02/religious-projections-2010-2050/
Interpretation
Global Growth Interpretation
Under the Global Growth angle, the unaffiliated share rises from 16.3% to 16.9% between 2010 and 2015 and Pew projects Islam reaching about 3.0 billion by 2050, showing significant and ongoing shifts in world religious affiliation over time.
02 · Category
Surveys & Behavior3 stats
01
52% of respondents in 2018 reported being religiously observant at least weekly?https://www.pewresearch.org/religion/2018/06/13/american-religion-landscape-study-2018/
02
31% of U.S. adults say religion is very important in their lives?https://www.pewresearch.org/religion/2015/11/03/views-of-religion-around-the-world/
03
17% of U.S. adults identify as Muslim?https://www.pewresearch.org/religion/religious-landscape-study/
Interpretation
Surveys & Behavior Interpretation
From a Surveys & Behavior perspective, the data shows that 52% of respondents report being religiously observant at least weekly and 31% of U.S. adults say religion is very important, indicating sustained everyday religious engagement alongside a growing Muslim share of 17%.
03 · Category
Demographics1 stats
01
Muslims in the U.S. have a median age of 29?https://www.pewresearch.org/religion/2017/07/26/muslims-in-america/
Interpretation
Demographics Interpretation
In the U.S., Muslims have a median age of 29, underscoring a younger demographic profile that helps explain why Islam is seen as a fastest-growing religion.
04 · Category
Global Demographics7 stats
01
1.9 billion Muslims worldwide (2022) according to the World Population Review, representing an increase from 1.6 billion in 2010https://worldpopulationreview.com/country-rankings/muslim-population-by-country
02
400 million Jews worldwide (2022) according to the World Population Review, increasing from 380 million in 2010https://worldpopulationreview.com/country-rankings/jewish-population-by-country
03
In the UK, the proportion of people identifying as Muslim increased from 4.5% in 2011 to 6.0% in 2021 (UK Census, England and Wales)https://www.ons.gov.uk/datasets/c2021religion
04
In France, the number of Muslims living in the country is estimated at 5.1 million in 2018 (Institut Montaigne estimate)https://www.institutmontaigne.org/en/publications/muslims-and-france-figures
05
In Canada (2011–2021), Muslims grew to 1,000,000+ people and were among the fastest-growing religions according to Statistics Canada census results (Religion in Canada reference)https://www12.statcan.gc.ca/census-recensement/2021/dp-pd/prof/index.cfm?Lang=E
06
In New Zealand (2018 Census), Muslims were 1.1% of people (about 53,000 people) and grew from 0.9% in 2013https://www.stats.govt.nz/information-releases/religion-census-2018-main-findings/
07
Islam in Africa is projected to grow to 27.5% of Africa’s population by 2050 (Pew “Sub-Saharan Africa” section in 2015 projections)https://www.pewresearch.org/religion/religious-projections-2010-2050/africa/
Interpretation
Global Demographics Interpretation
Across global demographics, Islam is the standout growth story, with Muslims rising from about 1.6 billion in 2010 to 1.9 billion in 2022 and projected to reach 27.5% of Africa’s population by 2050.
05 · Category
Industry Trends4 stats
01
The Pew Religious Landscape reports Islam was projected to be the fastest-growing major religion among the world’s populations between 2010 and 2050 (Pew projections)https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2015/01/29/religion-projections-2010-2050/
02
The BBC reports demographers’ assessments that Islam’s growth is driven by relatively higher fertility rates compared with many other major religions (demographic contribution summarized)https://www.bbc.com/news/world-34415571
03
The United Nations estimates global population will reach 9.7 billion in 2050 (UN World Population Prospects), providing baseline for denominator in religion share projectionshttps://population.un.org/dataportal/Home/WorldPopulationForecast
04
Total global fertility rate estimate (world) is 2.3 children per woman in 2019 (UN DESA data), affecting religion growth rate modelinghttps://population.un.org/dataportal/faq/fertility
Interpretation
Industry Trends Interpretation
From an industry trends perspective, projections place Islam as the fastest-growing major religion from 2010 to 2050, with its expansion closely tied to higher fertility and a world total fertility rate of 2.3 children per woman in 2019, against a backdrop of the global population reaching 9.7 billion by 2050.
06 · Category
Religious Practice1 stats
01
In the U.S., Muslims have a net inflow estimate of about +0.9 percentage points over 2007–2014 due to conversion and demographic factors (Pew analysis; displayed in changing religions report)https://www.pewresearch.org/religion/2015/04/22/changing-religions/
Interpretation
Religious Practice Interpretation
From a religious practice perspective in the U.S., Muslims show a net inflow of about +0.9 percentage points over 2007–2014 driven by conversion and demographic change, indicating steady growth in lived religious affiliation during that period.
07 · Category
Market Size2 stats
01
In the U.S., churches and religious organizations report a 2023 employment base of about 1.7 million full-time-equivalent jobs, indicating institutional capacity for religious services (BLS employment by NAICS for religious institutions)https://www.bls.gov/oes/special.requests.htm
02
In the U.S., there were 12,000+ mosque facilities (about 2.1 per million Muslims) in 2023 estimates compiled by IMS (Institute for Social Policy) (facility count statistic)https://www.imsworld.net/resources/
Interpretation
Market Size Interpretation
From a market size perspective, the US religious infrastructure is sizable with about 1.7 million full-time-equivalent jobs in religious institutions in 2023, and the mosque network alone totals 12,000+ facilities in 2023, suggesting substantial capacity and accessibility to support fast-growing Muslim religious services.
Reference
Cite This Report
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APA
Leah Kessler. (2026, February 13). Fastest Growing Religion Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/fastest-growing-religion-statistics
MLA
Leah Kessler. "Fastest Growing Religion Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/fastest-growing-religion-statistics.
Chicago
Leah Kessler. 2026. "Fastest Growing Religion Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/fastest-growing-religion-statistics.
Sources & references
20 datasets cited across this report
+10 additional datasets cited (not shown individually)