Muslim Countries: 50 Amazing Facts and the Ultimate List
Muslim countries are spread across Asia, Africa, the Middle East and parts of Europe, and together they are home to a large share of the world's roughly 1.9 billion Muslims. Yet the picture is more surprising than most people expect. The nation with the most Muslims is not in the Arab world, and the highest percentages are found in small island and desert states.
This guide gives you a clear, practical answer to a simple question: which nations count as Muslim majority, how big are their populations, and why do different websites give different numbers? You will find a ranked table, a full list with percentages, regional summaries, Quran and hadith guidance on unity and diversity, and answers to the questions readers ask most.
The figures come from the World Population Review compilation[1], which draws on the Pew Research Center[2][3] and the CIA World Factbook[4]. Where numbers are estimates, we say so plainly. Religious demographics are never perfectly exact, and honest reporting matters, especially on a topic tied to faith and identity.
If you are planning to travel, study, trade or simply learn, this guide gives you practical examples you can use right away. Read on, and use the internal links to explore related topics at Islamic Info Center.
Quick Facts About Muslim Countries
- About 1.9 billion Muslims live worldwide, and Islam is the second largest religion.[1]
- Roughly 50 nations and territories have a Muslim majority, depending on the source.[1][3]
- Indonesia has the largest Muslim population, at about 249.8 million people.
- The Maldives is reported as 100 percent Muslim, the highest share of any country.
- Pakistan (96.5 percent) and Bangladesh (91 percent) rank among the top three for total Muslims, after Indonesia.
- Albania and Bosnia and Herzegovina are the only Muslim majority countries in Europe.
What Makes a Country Muslim Majority?
A country is called Muslim majority when more than half of its people identify as Muslim. The label describes population only. It does not say how a government is organized or how law works. Some of these nations are Islamic republics, some are monarchies, and some, like Turkey, are officially secular. When people search for muslim countries, they often assume a single political model, but the reality is very diverse.
Largest Population Versus Highest Percentage
Two different rankings exist, and mixing them up causes most confusion. The first ranks by headcount. By that measure Indonesia, Pakistan and Bangladesh lead the world. The second ranks by share. The Maldives, Mauritania, Iran and Somalia are all above 99 percent, but their populations are far smaller than Indonesia's.
Practical example: If you are choosing which community to study for a school project on Muslim culture, headcount points you to Indonesia, Pakistan and Bangladesh. If you want to see a society where Islam shapes nearly every public rhythm, percentage points you to places such as Mauritania or Afghanistan.
Why Lists of Muslim Countries Disagree
You may have seen counts of 49, 50 or 51.[1] The gap has two simple causes. First, data age. Muslim populations tend to grow faster than the global average, so older estimates understate current shares. Second, definitions. Pew counted territories such as Palestine, Western Sahara and Mayotte[2][3], while the CIA World Factbook leaves out some of them and adds Bosnia and Herzegovina[4]. Neither is wrong. They simply draw the boundary differently.
Top 10 Largest Muslim Populations in the World
Source: World Population Review[1], based on Pew Research and CIA World Factbook estimates.
This table ranks muslim countries by number of Muslims. Notice how many sit in South and Southeast Asia and North Africa.
| Rank | Country | Muslim population | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Indonesia | 249.8 million | 87.1% |
| 2 | Pakistan | 233 million | 96.5% |
| 3 | Bangladesh | 150.8 million | 91% |
| 4 | Egypt | 87.5 million | 92.35% |
| 5 | Iran | 85.7 million | 99.8% |
| 6 | Turkey | 81.2 million | 94.5% |
| 7 | Algeria | 43.7 million | 99% |
| 8 | Iraq | 39 million | 96.5% |
| 9 | Sudan | 38.6 million | 96% |
| 10 | Afghanistan | 37 million | 99.7% |
Together, Indonesia, Pakistan and Bangladesh hold more than 630 million Muslims. That single fact challenges the common belief that muslim countries are mainly Arab. Arabic is the language of the Quran and of worship, but most of the world's Muslims speak other languages at home, including Bahasa Indonesia, Urdu, Bengali, Persian, Turkish and Hausa.
Muslim Countries by Region
South and Southeast Asia
This region has the greatest concentration of Muslims, more than any other part of the muslim countries map. Indonesia is the largest Muslim majority nation, and Pakistan and Bangladesh follow. The Maldives is reported at 100 percent, Brunei at 82.1 percent and Malaysia at 63.5 percent. Malaysia is a useful example of diversity within a Muslim majority country, since Muslims live alongside large Chinese and Indian communities who follow other faiths.
The Middle East
The land where Islam began remains home to some of the most strongly Muslim countries. Iran (99.8 percent), Yemen and Jordan (both 97.2 percent), Iraq (96.5 percent) and Saudi Arabia (96.2 percent) all pass 95 percent. Turkey is at 94.5 percent and Syria at 87 percent. Gulf states show lower shares because of large expatriate workforces: Oman 86 percent, Qatar 77.5 percent, Kuwait 74.6 percent, Bahrain 74 percent and the United Arab Emirates 72 percent.
Lebanon: the most mixed in the region
Lebanon, at 67.8 percent, is among the most religiously diverse nations in the region, with several recognized Muslim and Christian communities sharing one political system.
North Africa
North Africa is strikingly uniform, and its muslim countries often top 95 percent. Algeria and Morocco are each about 99 percent Muslim, Tunisia 97.8 percent, Libya 97 percent, Mauritania 99.9 percent and Egypt 92.35 percent. Egypt's roughly 87.5 million Muslims make it the largest Muslim community in the Arab world, and its historic Al Azhar institution has been a centre of Islamic learning for centuries.
Sub Saharan Africa
Islam has deep roots in West Africa and the Horn of Africa. Somalia (99.8 percent), Djibouti (99.4 percent), Niger and Comoros (98.3 percent), Senegal (97.2 percent), Gambia (96.4 percent), Mali (96.2 percent), Sudan (96 percent) and Guinea (89.1 percent) are strongly Muslim. Sierra Leone, Burkina Faso and Chad are also majority Muslim. Eritrea is a borderline case, with estimates running from about 37 percent to 52 percent.[1]
Central Asia and the Caucasus
Despite decades of Soviet rule, faith identity stayed strong. Tajikistan (97.9 percent), Azerbaijan (97.3 percent), Turkmenistan (93.7 percent), Kyrgyzstan (90 percent), Uzbekistan (88.7 percent) and Kazakhstan (70.2 percent) are all Muslim majority. Afghanistan, with about 37 million Muslims, is reported at 99.7 percent.
Europe
Albania and Bosnia and Herzegovina each sit at about 50.7 percent.
Complete List of Muslim Majority Countries and Territories
Source: World Population Review[1].
The table below lists every one of the muslim countries and territories at or above 50 percent in the data reviewed, ordered by Muslim population. Figures are estimates and are rounded.
| Country or territory | Muslim population | Share of population |
|---|---|---|
| Indonesia | 249.8M | 87.1% |
| Pakistan | 233M | 96.5% |
| Bangladesh | 150.8M | 91% |
| Egypt | 87.5M | 92.35% |
| Iran | 85.7M | 99.8% |
| Turkey | 81.2M | 94.5% |
| Algeria | 43.7M | 99% |
| Iraq | 39M | 96.5% |
| Sudan | 38.6M | 96% |
| Afghanistan | 37M | 99.7% |
| Morocco | 36.4M | 99% |
| Saudi Arabia | 31.5M | 96.2% |
| Uzbekistan | 29.9M | 88.7% |
| Yemen | 26.8M | 97.2% |
| Niger | 21.1M | 98.3% |
| Mali | 20.5M | 96.2% |
| Malaysia | 20.1M | 63.5% |
| Senegal | 17.4M | 97.2% |
| Syria | 15M | 87% |
| Burkina Faso | 13.5M | 63.8% |
| Kazakhstan | 13.2M | 70.2% |
| Somalia | 11M | 99.8% |
| Guinea | 10.6M | 89.1% |
| Chad | 10.5M | 55.1% |
| Tunisia | 10.2M | 97.8% |
| Jordan | 10.2M | 97.2% |
| Azerbaijan | 10.1M | 97.3% |
| Tajikistan | 9.3M | 97.9% |
| Libya | 6.6M | 97% |
| United Arab Emirates | 6.3M | 72% |
| Sierra Leone | 6.1M | 78.6% |
| Turkmenistan | 5.6M | 93.7% |
| Kyrgyzstan | 5.5M | 90% |
| Palestine | 4.3M | 97.5% |
| Mauritania | 4.2M | 99.9% |
| Lebanon | 3.6M | 67.8% |
| Eritrea | 2.6M | 51.6% |
| Oman | 2.4M | 86% |
| Gambia | 2.3M | 96.4% |
| Kuwait | 2.2M | 74.6% |
| Bosnia and Herzegovina | 2M | 50.7% |
| Qatar | 1.6M | 77.5% |
| Albania | 1.2M | 50.7% |
| Bahrain | 1.1M | 74% |
| Djibouti | 1M | 99.4% |
| Comoros | 807.2K | 98.3% |
| Western Sahara | 599.6K | 99.4% |
| Brunei | 379.9K | 82.1% |
| Maldives | 374.8K | 100% |
| Mayotte | 253.4K | 97% |
Treat borderline entries such as Eritrea, Albania and Bosnia and Herzegovina with extra caution, since a small change in survey method can move them in or out of the majority group.
What the Quran and Hadith Teach About Nations and Unity
Islamic teaching does not rank people by country. The Quran addresses all of humanity in Surah Al Hujurat (49:13)[5], explaining that Allah created people as nations and tribes so that they may know one another, and that the most honoured in His sight is the most conscious of Him. This verse is often cited when discussing the cultural variety found across muslim countries, from Dakar to Jakarta.
The Quran also calls Muslims to hold together in unity (Surah Al Imran, 3:103)[6]. The Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, described the believers in their mutual love and mercy as like one body: when one part suffers, the whole body responds with sleeplessness and fever. This hadith is recorded in Sahih Al Bukhari (6011)[8] and Sahih Muslim (2586)[9].
Practical Ways to Use This Information
For Travellers and Students
Knowing the difference between muslim countries helps you plan respectfully. In Indonesia and Malaysia, for example, daily life includes frequent calls to prayer and widely available halal food. In Saudi Arabia, prayer times shape business hours. In Turkey, a secular legal system sits beside a deeply religious society. Always check local rules and customs before you travel.
For Businesses and Writers
Marketing to a Muslim audience is not one task. A Pakistani family, an Egyptian student and a Senegalese trader share a faith, but they differ in language, budget and daily routine. Halal standards also vary by country, so research local certification. Our guide to halal earning and Islamic economics is a good starting point.
For Families and Learners
Parents can use the data to show children that the Muslim world is wide and varied. Pair a map with stories from Islamic history and our Islamic quiz to make learning interactive.
Profiles of Seven Major Muslim Countries
Numbers tell only part of the story. These short profiles show how different the leading muslim countries are from one another.
Indonesia
Indonesia is the world's largest archipelago nation and the biggest of all muslim countries, with about 249.8 million Muslims, or 87.1 percent of the population. Islam here spread largely through trade and scholarship, and local customs blend naturally with daily worship. A visitor in Java or Sumatra will hear the call to prayer in cities, villages and ports alike.
Pakistan
Pakistan was founded in 1947 as a homeland for the Muslims of South Asia. Today about 233 million Muslims, 96.5 percent of the population, live there. Urdu, Punjabi, Sindhi and Pashto are among the many languages spoken, which shows that unity in faith does not erase linguistic variety.
Bangladesh
Bangladesh is one of the most densely populated countries on earth, with about 150.8 million Muslims making up 91 percent of its people. Many readers search for muslim countries when they want to understand Bengali Muslim culture, from Eid gatherings to village madrasas and community charity.
Egypt
Egypt's 87.5 million Muslims form the largest Muslim community in the Arab world. Cairo is often described as the city of a thousand minarets, and Al Azhar has trained scholars for over a thousand years, so Egypt is a natural stop for anyone studying Islamic learning.
Iran
Iran is reported at 99.8 percent Muslim, with about 85.7 million believers. It is the largest country in the world with a Shia majority, which is why it is a key reference point when readers compare the Sunni and Shia worlds.
Turkey
Turkey has about 81.2 million Muslims, or 94.5 percent of its people, yet it is officially a secular republic. Among muslim countries it is the clearest example that a Muslim majority and a particular legal model are two separate questions.
Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia, with about 31.5 million Muslims (96.2 percent), is home to Mecca and Medina, the two holiest cities in Islam. Millions of pilgrims arrive each year for Hajj and Umrah, which makes the kingdom a meeting point for believers from every one of the muslim countries in this guide.
Muslim Countries Grouped by Share of Population
Grouping nations by percentage shows how concentrated Islam is in some places and how mixed it is in others.
Above 99 Percent
The Maldives (100 percent), Mauritania (99.9 percent), Iran and Somalia (99.8 percent), Afghanistan (99.7 percent), Djibouti and Western Sahara (99.4 percent), and Algeria and Morocco (99 percent) sit at the top.
90 to 99 Percent
This large group includes Pakistan, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Mali, Sudan, Gambia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Egypt, Bangladesh, Kyrgyzstan, Tunisia, Libya, Jordan, Yemen, Senegal, Azerbaijan, Tajikistan, Niger and Comoros. Nearly everyone in these muslim countries shares one faith, though ethnic and regional identities remain strong.
70 to 90 Percent
Guinea, Uzbekistan, Indonesia, Syria, Oman, Brunei, Sierra Leone, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates and Kazakhstan fall here. Gulf figures are lower mainly because expatriate workers from many faiths live there.
50 to 70 Percent
Lebanon, Burkina Faso, Malaysia and Chad are clear majorities, while Eritrea, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Albania sit close to the line. These are the countries where updated surveys can change the ranking most.
How Reliable Are the Numbers?
Religious statistics are estimates, and good readers should know their limits. Many censuses behind these figures date from about 2017 to 2019[1], so total populations have moved since then. Some countries do not ask about religion at all, and in a few places the data are politically sensitive. Pew figures are projections based on demographic trends, while the CIA World Factbook gathers percentages from a range of years.
How to double check: Compare at least two sources, note the year of each estimate, and prefer national census data when it exists. For primary sources, visit the Pew Research Center religious composition tool, the CIA World Factbook religion listing and the World Population Review Muslim majority countries table.
Why Understanding Muslim Countries Matters Today
Learning about muslim countries is more than a geography exercise. These nations include some of the youngest populations on earth, fast growing economies, ancient centres of learning and major energy producers. Journalists, students, aid workers and investors all benefit from seeing them as separate societies rather than one bloc.
Consider a simple comparison. Bangladesh and Saudi Arabia are both muslim countries with Muslim populations above 90 percent, yet one is a densely populated delta nation with a large garment industry and the other is a desert kingdom known for oil and the two holy mosques. Understanding such differences prevents stereotypes and builds respect.
Muslims themselves also gain from this knowledge. A pilgrim preparing for Umrah meets believers from dozens of muslim countries in a single day in Mecca, each with different accents, foods and customs, but all praying in the same direction. That shared experience is one of the most powerful living lessons in Islamic unity.
If you teach, write or lead a community group, start with the data in this article, add personal stories from people who live in these places, and always credit your sources. Faith, culture and statistics work best together when they are handled with care.
Trends to Watch
Demographers expect the global Muslim population to keep rising faster than the world average, driven mainly by younger age profiles and fertility rates in South Asia and Africa. That means the number of muslim countries could grow slowly. Eritrea is the borderline example most often mentioned, and Still, predictions depend on migration, education and economic change, so treat forecasts with care.
Another trend is the growing importance of Southeast Asia and Africa in the Muslim world. As these regions develop, their influence on Islamic scholarship, finance and media grows too. Readers interested in how faith meets commerce can explore Islamic economics.
Frequently Asked Questions About Muslim Countries
How many muslim countries are there in the world?
There are roughly 50 Muslim majority countries and territories. The exact number depends on whether disputed or non sovereign territories such as Palestine, Western Sahara and Mayotte are counted, and on the age of the estimate.
Which country has the largest Muslim population?
Indonesia has the largest Muslim population, at about 249.8 million, followed by Pakistan and Bangladesh.
Which country has the highest percentage of Muslims?
The Maldives is reported at 100 percent. Mauritania (99.9 percent), Iran and Somalia (both 99.8 percent) and Afghanistan (99.7 percent) are also extremely high.
Which muslim countries have the most Muslims?
Indonesia, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Egypt and Iran lead the list by population, with Turkey, Algeria, Iraq, Sudan and Afghanistan completing the top ten.
Are all muslim countries Arab countries?
No. Most of the world's Muslims live outside the Arab world. Indonesia, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Iran and Turkey are not Arab nations.
Which European countries are Muslim majority?
Albania and Bosnia and Herzegovina, each at about 50.7 percent in the data reviewed.
Do all muslim countries share the same daily prayer practice?
The five daily prayers are shared everywhere, but timings follow the local sunrise and sunset. Use a prayer times finder for your exact location.
Do all Muslim majority countries follow Sharia law?
No. Legal systems vary widely. Some use Islamic law as a main source of legislation, some combine it with civil law, and some, such as Turkey, are officially secular.
Final Thoughts
The world of muslim countries is wider and more varied than a single map can show. From the island communities of the Maldives to the Sahel and the steppes of Central Asia, believers share one faith while living very different lives. Use the tables above as a starting point, check the original sources, and keep learning with our guides on the Islam religion, Islamic names and the 99 Names of Allah.
Published by Islamic Info Center, a digital media platform dedicated to Islamic knowledge, history and practice. Data estimates may change as new surveys are released. This article is for general education and is not a religious ruling.
References and Sources
All population figures are estimates and may change as new data are published. Last checked: November 2026. Quran translations above are paraphrased summaries, so please read the full verses in a trusted translation.
- World Population Review, Muslim Majority Countries 2026
- Pew Research Center, The Future of the Global Muslim Population: Muslim Majority Countries
- Pew Research Center, Religious Composition by Country, 2010 to 2050
- CIA World Factbook, Religions field listing
- Quran 49:13, Surah Al Hujurat
- Quran 3:103, Surah Al Imran
- Quran 2:153, Surah Al Baqarah
- Sahih Al Bukhari 6011
- Sahih Muslim 2586
Related reading on Islamic Info Center: Islam religion, Islamic history and about our editorial team.