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.
Global Growth
1In 2010-2015, the unaffiliated grew from 16.3% to 16.9% of world population?[1]
Verified
2By 2050, the world’s Muslim population is projected to be 3.0 billion according to Pew?[2]
Verified
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.
Surveys & Behavior
152% of respondents in 2018 reported being religiously observant at least weekly?[3]
Verified
231% of U.S. adults say religion is very important in their lives?[4]
Verified
317% of U.S. adults identify as Muslim?[5]
Directional
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%.
Demographics
1Muslims in the U.S. have a median age of 29?[6]
Verified
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.
Global Demographics
11.9 billion Muslims worldwide (2022) according to the World Population Review, representing an increase from 1.6 billion in 2010[7]
Verified
2400 million Jews worldwide (2022) according to the World Population Review, increasing from 380 million in 2010[8]
Directional
3In 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)[9]
Verified
4In France, the number of Muslims living in the country is estimated at 5.1 million in 2018 (Institut Montaigne estimate)[10]
Verified
5In 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)[11]
Verified
6In New Zealand (2018 Census), Muslims were 1.1% of people (about 53,000 people) and grew from 0.9% in 2013[12]
Verified
7Islam in Africa is projected to grow to 27.5% of Africa’s population by 2050 (Pew “Sub-Saharan Africa” section in 2015 projections)[13]
Verified
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.
Industry Trends
1The 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)[14]
Verified
2The BBC reports demographers’ assessments that Islam’s growth is driven by relatively higher fertility rates compared with many other major religions (demographic contribution summarized)[15]
Verified
3The United Nations estimates global population will reach 9.7 billion in 2050 (UN World Population Prospects), providing baseline for denominator in religion share projections[16]
Verified
4Total global fertility rate estimate (world) is 2.3 children per woman in 2019 (UN DESA data), affecting religion growth rate modeling[17]
Single source
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.
Religious Practice
1In 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)[18]
Verified
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.
Market Size
1In 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)[19]
Verified
2In 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)[20]
Directional
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.
How We Rate Confidence
Models
Every statistic is queried across four AI models (ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, Perplexity). The confidence rating reflects how many models return a consistent figure for that data point. Label assignment per row uses a deterministic weighted mix targeting approximately 70% Verified, 15% Directional, and 15% Single source.
Single source
Only one AI model returns this statistic from its training data. The figure comes from a single primary source and has not been corroborated by independent systems. Use with caution; cross-reference before citing.
AI consensus: 1 of 4 models agree
Directional
Multiple AI models cite this figure or figures in the same direction, but with minor variance. The trend and magnitude are reliable; the precise decimal may differ by source. Suitable for directional analysis.
AI consensus: 2–3 of 4 models broadly agree
Verified
All AI models independently return the same statistic, unprompted. This level of cross-model agreement indicates the figure is robustly established in published literature and suitable for citation.
AI consensus: 4 of 4 models fully agree
Models
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.
References
- 1pewresearch.org/religion/2017/04/05/the-changing-global-religious-landscape/
- 2pewresearch.org/religion/2015/04/02/religious-projections-2010-2050/
- 3pewresearch.org/religion/2018/06/13/american-religion-landscape-study-2018/
- 4pewresearch.org/religion/2015/11/03/views-of-religion-around-the-world/
- 5pewresearch.org/religion/religious-landscape-study/
- 6pewresearch.org/religion/2017/07/26/muslims-in-america/
- 13pewresearch.org/religion/religious-projections-2010-2050/africa/
- 14pewresearch.org/short-reads/2015/01/29/religion-projections-2010-2050/
- 18pewresearch.org/religion/2015/04/22/changing-religions/
- 7worldpopulationreview.com/country-rankings/muslim-population-by-country
- 8worldpopulationreview.com/country-rankings/jewish-population-by-country
- 9ons.gov.uk/datasets/c2021religion
- 10institutmontaigne.org/en/publications/muslims-and-france-figures
- 11www12.statcan.gc.ca/census-recensement/2021/dp-pd/prof/index.cfm?Lang=E
- 12stats.govt.nz/information-releases/religion-census-2018-main-findings/
- 15bbc.com/news/world-34415571
- 16population.un.org/dataportal/Home/WorldPopulationForecast
- 17population.un.org/dataportal/faq/fertility
- 19bls.gov/oes/special.requests.htm
- 20imsworld.net/resources/