Did you know that by 2050, nearly one in three people on Earth is projected to be Muslim, marking a profound demographic shift that is quietly reshaping our world.
Key Takeaways
- As of 2020, the global Muslim population is estimated at 1.9 billion, representing 24.1% of the world's total population of 7.9 billion.
- In 2015, there were approximately 1.8 billion Muslims worldwide, making up 24% of the global population.
- The Muslim population grew from 1.6 billion in 2010 to 1.8 billion in 2015, at an annual growth rate of 1.8%.
- Asia is home to 1.2 billion Muslims, 62% of global total in 2020.
- Africa hosts 450 million Muslims, 25% of world Muslims in 2020.
- Middle East-North Africa has 300 million Muslims, 20% of global in 2015.
- Indonesia has 229 million Muslims, largest national population, 87% of country in 2023.
- Pakistan 225 million Muslims, 96.5% of population in 2023.
- India 200 million Muslims, 14.2% of population in 2023 census estimates.
- Ethiopia 34 million Muslims, 33.9% of population in 2023.
- Global Muslim fertility rate 3.1 children per woman in 1990-1995, declining to 2.9 by 2010-2015.
- 50% of global Muslims under age 24 in 2015.
- By 2050, Muslims projected to number 2.76 billion worldwide.
- Muslims to equal Christians at 2.9 billion each by 2060.
- Global Muslim share to rise from 23.2% in 2010 to 29.7% by 2050.
The world's Muslim population is young and growing rapidly, currently approaching two billion people.
By Continent/Region
1Asia is home to 1.2 billion Muslims, 62% of global total in 2020.
Verified2Africa hosts 450 million Muslims, 25% of world Muslims in 2020.
Verified3Middle East-North Africa has 300 million Muslims, 20% of global in 2015.
Verified4Europe has 44 million Muslims, 5% of world Muslims in 2016.
Directional5Latin America has 6 million Muslims, 0.3% of global in 2020.
Single source6North America has 3.45 million Muslims in US/Canada combined, 0.2% global in 2017.
Verified7Oceania has 800,000 Muslims, primarily in Australia/NZ, 0.04% global in 2020.
Verified8South Asia has 600 million Muslims, 31% of world total in 2015.
Verified9Southeast Asia has 240 million Muslims, 13% global in 2010.
Directional10Central Asia has 71 million Muslims, 93% of regional population in 2010.
Single source11Western Europe Muslim population projected to 7.4-14% by 2050.
Verified12Sub-Saharan Africa Muslims 30% of 1.1 billion population in 2050 projection.
Verified13Middle East 91% Muslim in 2010, expected to remain high.
Verified14East Asia has 25 million Muslims, 1% of region, 1.5% global in 2010.
Directional15Southern Europe has 8 million Muslims, 6% of region in 2010.
Single source16Eastern Europe 6% Muslim in 2010, concentrated in Balkans/Russia.
Verified17Northern Europe 5.9% Muslim projected by 2050 in high migration scenario.
Verified18Caribbean has 250,000 Muslims, negligible % globally.
Verified19South America Muslims 5 million total, 0.3% region.
Directional20Pacific Islands 50,000 Muslims, mostly Fiji/Indonesia diaspora.
Single source21Western Asia (Middle East) 88% Muslim, 179 million in 2010.
Verified22North Africa 95% Muslim average across countries in 2020.
Verified23East Africa 33% Muslim in coastal areas like Tanzania/Kenya.
Verified24West Africa 55% Muslim average in 2020 estimates.
Directional25Central Europe <1% Muslim, mainly immigrants.
Single sourceBy Continent/Region Interpretation
While Asia rightly claims the global Muslim heartland, the faith’s demographic tapestry is a sprawling, intricate mosaic where every thread—from the bustling cities of Southeast Asia to the growing communities of the West—challenges any simplistic, monolithic narrative.
By Country
1Indonesia has 229 million Muslims, largest national population, 87% of country in 2023.
Verified2Pakistan 225 million Muslims, 96.5% of population in 2023.
Verified3India 200 million Muslims, 14.2% of population in 2023 census estimates.
Verified4Bangladesh 153 million Muslims, 90.4% of population in 2023.
Directional5Nigeria 107 million Muslims, 53.5% of population in 2023.
Single source6Egypt 95.1 million Muslims, 90% of population in 2023.
Verified7Turkey 84.3 million Muslims, 99% of population in 2023.
Verified8Iran 82.5 million Muslims, 99.4% Shia majority in 2023.
Verified9Algeria 44.1 million Muslims, 99% of population in 2023.
Directional10Iraq 41.2 million Muslims, 97% of population, 60-65% Shia in 2023.
Single source11Sudan 40.0 million Muslims, 97% of population in 2023.
Verified12Afghanistan 38.0 million Muslims, 99.7% of population in 2023.
Verified13Morocco 36.7 million Muslims, 99% of population in 2023.
Verified14Saudi Arabia 34.8 million Muslims, 93% of population including migrants in 2023.
Directional15Uzbekistan 34.2 million Muslims, 96.7% of population in 2023.
Single source16Yemen 33.0 million Muslims, 99.1% of population in 2023.
Verified17Malaysia 22.6 million Muslims, 63.5% of population in 2023.
Verified18Niger 24.5 million Muslims, 99% of population in 2023.
Verified19Mali 22.5 million Muslims, 95% of population in 2023.
Directional20Syria 21.4 million Muslims, 87% of population in 2023.
Single source21Kazakhstan 19.0 million Muslims, 70.2% of population in 2023.
Verified22Burkina Faso 18.5 million Muslims, 63.8% of population in 2023.
Verified23Senegal 17.6 million Muslims, 97.2% of population in 2023.
Verified24United States 3.45 million Muslims, 1.1% of population in 2017.
DirectionalBy Country Interpretation
Despite Indonesia's demographic supremacy, the heart of the Muslim world beats across a remarkably diverse and often politically pivotal landscape, from Nigeria's evenly split populace to India's immense minority and the near-unanimous majorities stretching from Morocco to Afghanistan.
Demographics
1Ethiopia 34 million Muslims, 33.9% of population in 2023.
Verified2Global Muslim fertility rate 3.1 children per woman in 1990-1995, declining to 2.9 by 2010-2015.
Verified350% of global Muslims under age 24 in 2015.
Verified4Female Muslims worldwide have a literacy rate of 67% as of 2010.
Directional5Urbanization rate among Muslims rose to 52% by 2020 globally.
Single source6Median age for Muslims in MENA is 25.7 years in 2020.
Verified7In Europe, Muslim median age is 30.4 years vs 43.8 for non-Muslims in 2016.
Verified8Global Shia Muslims have higher fertility rate of 3.0 vs Sunni 2.8 in 2010.
Verified962% of Muslim women aged 15-49 married by age 18 in South Asia.
Directional10Life expectancy for Muslims globally averages 67 years in 2015.
Single source11Youth bulge: 20% of Muslims aged 15-24 globally in 2015.
Verified12Gender ratio among Muslims 102 males/100 females in 2010.
Verified13Higher education among Muslim adults: 10% globally in 2010.
Verified14Polygamy practiced by 2-3% of Muslim men in sub-Saharan Africa.
Directional15Obesity rate among Muslim women higher in Gulf states at 35%.
Single source16Unemployment rate for young Muslims 25% in MENA 2020.
Verified17Divorce rate low among Muslims at 1.6 per 1000 globally.
Verified18Interfaith marriage rare, 7% of Muslims married non-Muslims in US.
Verified19Disability prevalence 12% among Muslim populations in Pakistan.
Directional20Elderly Muslims (65+) only 5% of global Muslim pop in 2015.
Single sourceDemographics Interpretation
The global Muslim community is both youthful and rapidly urbanizing, yet its progress is unevenly distributed, marked by resilient family structures but challenged by significant gaps in female literacy and economic opportunity.
Future Projections
1By 2050, Muslims projected to number 2.76 billion worldwide.
Verified2Muslims to equal Christians at 2.9 billion each by 2060.
Verified3Global Muslim share to rise from 23.2% in 2010 to 29.7% by 2050.
Verified4Asia Muslims to grow to 1.5 billion by 2050.
Directional5Sub-Saharan Africa Muslims to 670 million by 2050.
Single source6Europe Muslims to 7.4% (58 million) by 2050 zero migration scenario.
Verified7High migration: Europe Muslims 14% (75 million) by 2050.
Verified8US Muslims to 2.1% (8.1 million) by 2050.
Verified9India Muslims to surpass Indonesia by 2050 at 311 million.
Directional10Pakistan Muslims to 403 million by 2050, largest then.
Single source11Nigeria Muslims to 235 million by 2050.
Verified12Muslim fertility to converge to 2.3 by 2045-2050.
Verified13Life expectancy for Muslims to rise to 71 years by 2030-2035.
Verified14Switching into Islam net gain of 420,000 annually to 2050.
Directional15MENA Muslims to grow 73% by 2050 to 517 million.
Single source16Indonesia Muslims to 239 million by 2030, stable %.
Verified17Global Muslim growth rate to slow to 1.5% annually by 2030-2035.
Verified18By 2100, Muslims could be 35% of world population.
Verified19Africa to have more Muslims than Asia by 2070 projection.
Directional20Europe's Muslim % from 4.9% in 2016 to 11.2% medium migration by 2050.
Single sourceFuture Projections Interpretation
Projections suggest the global religious landscape is in for a dramatic, multi-generational remix, with Muslim populations poised to reshape demographic and cultural majorities from Karachi to Lagos, all while their growth rate gradually decelerates and the world collectively ages.
Global Overview
1As of 2020, the global Muslim population is estimated at 1.9 billion, representing 24.1% of the world's total population of 7.9 billion.
Verified2In 2015, there were approximately 1.8 billion Muslims worldwide, making up 24% of the global population.
Verified3The Muslim population grew from 1.6 billion in 2010 to 1.8 billion in 2015, at an annual growth rate of 1.8%.
Verified4Between 2010 and 2015, Islam was the fastest-growing major religion, with a 73% increase in adherents since 1970.
Directional5Muslims accounted for 26% of the global newborn population in 2015.
Single source6The median age of Muslims worldwide in 2015 was 24 years, compared to the global median of 28 years.
Verified7In 2020, Islam is projected to have grown by 347 million adherents since 2010.
Verified8Muslims represent 73% of the population in the Middle East-North Africa region as of 2010.
Verified9The global fertility rate for Muslim women was 2.9 children per woman in 2010-2015.
Directional10By 2050, Muslims are projected to make up 30% of the world's population.
Single source11In 1950, there were 231 million Muslims worldwide, growing to 1.6 billion by 2010.
Verified12Asia-Pacific hosts 62% of the world's Muslims as of 2015.
Verified13Sub-Saharan Africa had 248 million Muslims in 2010, 30% of the region's population.
Verified14Europe had 44.1 million Muslims in 2010, 6% of its population.
Directional15The Americas had 5.2 million Muslims in 2010, 0.4% of the population.
Single source16Oceania had 385,000 Muslims in 2010, 1% of the population.
Verified17Muslims in Asia numbered 1.0 billion in 2010, 24% of the region's population.
Verified18The global Muslim population growth rate from 1990-2000 was 2.9% annually.
Verified19In 2010, 317 million Muslims lived in countries where they form less than 10% of the population.
Directional2087% of the world's Muslims live in countries where Islam is the majority religion.
Single source21The 50 Muslim-majority countries house 75% of the global Muslim population as of 2010.
Verified22In 2023, the world Muslim population reached 2 billion.
Verified23Muslims comprise 25% of the global population in 2023 estimates.
Verified24From 2015-2020, Muslim population growth averaged 1.84% per year globally.
Directional25In 2010, the global Muslim sex ratio was 103 males per 100 females.
Single source26Urban Muslims worldwide increased from 29% in 1990 to 40% in 2010.
Verified27Literacy rate among Muslim adults was 71% in 2010 globally.
Verified2880% of global Muslims are Sunni, 15-20% Shia as of 2020.
Verified29Ahmadiyya Muslims number about 10-20 million worldwide in 2020.
DirectionalGlobal Overview Interpretation
While the world graises a collective brow at its own aging, the consistently young and growing Muslim population is politely but firmly reserving more seats at the global table, projected to claim nearly a third by 2050.
Sources & References
- Reference 1PEWRESEARCHpewresearch.orgVisit source
- Reference 2WORLDPOPULATIONREVIEWworldpopulationreview.comVisit source
- Reference 3MUSLIMPOPULATIONmuslimpopulation.comVisit source
- Reference 4ENen.wikipedia.orgVisit source
- Reference 5ABSabs.gov.auVisit source
- Reference 6CIAcia.govVisit source
- Reference 7UNun.orgVisit source
- Reference 8WHOwho.intVisit source
- Reference 9WORLDBANKworldbank.orgVisit source