Muslim Population in World: 10 Amazing Facts, Ultimate Guide
Mecca Sharif
The muslim population in world has reached roughly 2 billion people, which means about one in every four humans on earth is Muslim. Islam is the second largest religion after Christianity and, according to Pew Research Center, the fastest growing major religion of the last decade.[2]
But a single headline number hides a richer story. Where do most Muslims live? Why do some websites say 1.9 billion and others say 2 billion? Which countries lead, and how fast is the community growing? This guide answers each question with clear tables, plain language and sources you can check yourself.
You will also learn how the muslim population in world is divided between Sunni and Shia Muslims, why South and Southeast Asia matter more than the Middle East in the numbers, and how to read religious statistics without being misled.
Whether you are a student, writer, marketer, traveller or simply curious about the muslim population in world, the sections below turn raw data into practical knowledge. Use the internal links to explore related topics at Islamic Info Center.
Quick Facts About the Muslim Population in World
- Pew Research estimates the muslim population in world at about 2.0 billion in 2020, up from 1.7 billion in 2010.[3]
- Muslims make up about 25.6 percent of the global population, up from 23.9 percent in 2010.[4]
- The muslim population in world grew by 347 million people in a decade, more than all other religious groups combined.[2]
- World Population Review lists about 1.9 billion Muslims, roughly 1.5 billion Sunni and 240 to 340 million Shia.[1]
- Indonesia has the largest Muslim population, at about 249.8 million.[1]
- About 50 countries and territories have a Muslim majority.[1]
How Big Is the Muslim Population in World Today?
Two Reliable Estimates, Two Slightly Different Numbers
If you search for the muslim population in world, you will see figures between 1.9 and 2 billion. Both can be correct for the muslim population in world, because each uses a different year and method. The World Population Review table, which draws on older Pew and CIA World Factbook data, gives about 1.9 billion.[1] Pew's newer 2025 report, based on more than 2,700 censuses and surveys, puts the 2020 figure at about 2.0 billion.[2]
The gap comes from timing and method. Many national censuses behind the older tables date from about 2017 to 2019, and the community has kept growing since then. When you quote a number, always say which source and which year you are using.
What About 2026?
Pew's latest full global estimate covers 2020, so any figure for the muslim population in world today is an extension of that trend. Because the community was growing about twice as fast as the rest of the world during the last decade, a reasonable reader can expect the total to be somewhat higher now. Treat that as an informed expectation, not a measured count.
Muslim Share of the World Population
Percentages tell you more than totals. Pew estimates that Muslims were 23.9 percent of the world in 2010 and 25.6 percent in 2020.[4] During the same period, the Christian share fell from 30.6 percent to 28.8 percent. Christians remain the largest group, but the gap with Muslims is narrowing.
Practical example: Imagine a school of 100 students that mirrors the world. About 26 would be Muslim and about 29 would be Christian. Ten years earlier the picture would have been 24 and 31. The change is gradual, but it adds up across billions of people.
Muslim Population Growth From 2010 to 2020
The muslim population in world grew by 21 percent between 2010 and 2020, from 1.7 billion to 2.0 billion. The rest of the world's population grew by about 10 percent.[3] In plain terms, Muslims grew about twice as fast as everyone else, so the muslim population in world is rising as a share of humanity.
Why Is Growth So Fast?
Pew attributes the increase mainly to natural population growth. The community has a relatively young age structure and a higher fertility rate than many other groups.[4] A younger population means more people are in or approaching their child bearing years, which keeps growth going even as birth rates fall.
Growth is not mainly about conversion or migration
Pew also noted that few countries saw large shifts in their Muslim share, because most growth took place in countries where Muslims were already the majority. In other words, the story is about births in places like Pakistan, Bangladesh and Nigeria, not about sudden changes in religious makeup.
Growth Is Not Equal Everywhere
Muslim share rose the most in the Asia Pacific region, where Muslims reached 26 percent of the population in 2020.[3] Sub Saharan Africa and the Middle East and North Africa also gained share of the world population as a whole, and both regions have young, fast growing populations.
Sunni and Shia: How the Muslim Population in World Is Divided
Muslims belong to several traditions. The largest by far is Sunni Islam, with about 1.5 billion followers. Shia Muslims number between 240 and 340 million, and smaller groups make up the rest.[1] The range for Shia Muslims is wide because some countries do not record sect in their censuses.
Both Sunni and Shia Muslims share the same core beliefs, the same Quran and the same pillars of worship. Differences began over questions of leadership after the Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, and developed over centuries into distinct schools of law and practice. For background, read our guide to the Islam religion and Islamic history.
Top 10 Countries by Muslim Population
Where Muslims live may surprise you. This table uses World Population Review figures.[1]
| Rank | Country | Muslim population | Share of country |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Indonesia | 249.8 million | 87.1% |
| 2 | Pakistan | 233 million | 96.5% |
| 3 | India | 200 million | 14.6% |
| 4 | Bangladesh | 150.8 million | 91% |
| 5 | Nigeria | 96 million | 48% |
| 6 | Egypt | 87.5 million | 92.35% |
| 7 | Iran | 85.7 million | 99.8% |
| 8 | Turkey | 81.2 million | 94.5% |
| 9 | Algeria | 43.7 million | 99% |
| 10 | Iraq | 39 million | 96.5% |
The first four countries alone hold more than 830 million Muslims, which is over 40 percent of the total in the Pew estimate. Notice that India and Nigeria rank high by headcount even though Muslims are a minority or just under half of those populations.
Where Muslims Live: Regional Breakdown
Asia: The Heart of the Numbers
Asia is home to the majority of the muslim population in world, and it is not close. Indonesia, Pakistan, Bangladesh and India dominate the totals, and Central Asian countries such as Uzbekistan (29.9 million) and Afghanistan (37 million) add tens of millions more.[1] The Maldives is reported as 100 percent Muslim.
The Middle East and North Africa
The region where Islam began is overwhelmingly Muslim. Iran, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Jordan and Yemen are all above 95 percent, while Gulf states such as Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates show lower shares because of large expatriate workforces.[1] In North Africa, Egypt has about 87.5 million Muslims, the largest community in the Arab world, and Algeria and Morocco are each about 99 percent Muslim.
Sub Saharan Africa
Islam has deep roots in West Africa and the Horn of Africa. Somalia, Niger, Senegal, Mali and Gambia are all above 95 percent, while Nigeria (96 million), Ethiopia (34.7 million) and Tanzania (19.4 million) have very large Muslim communities that are not majorities.[1] This region is expected to matter more and more as its population grows.
Europe, the Americas and Oceania
Muslims are minorities here, but the communities are significant. Estimates include about 6.9 million in France, 5.6 million in Germany, 4 million in the United Kingdom, 3.5 million in the United States and 1.8 million in Canada.[1] Albania and Bosnia and Herzegovina, at about 50.7 percent each, are the only Muslim majority countries in Europe.
How Many Muslim Majority Countries Are There?
About 50 countries and territories have a Muslim majority, though the exact count depends on the source. Differences come from how disputed territories such as Palestine, Western Sahara and Mayotte are treated, and from the age of the data.[1] Some countries show almost no religious variety, such as the Maldives, Mauritania and Iran, while others, such as Lebanon (67.8 percent) and Malaysia (63.5 percent), have large communities of other faiths.
For a deeper dive, see our companion guide on Muslim majority countries and explore Islamic culture to see how traditions differ from place to place.
The Faith Behind the Numbers
The Quran reminds people that humanity was made into nations and tribes so that they may know one another (Surah Al Hujurat, 49:13).[5] That verse is a fitting way to read the muslim population in world, since it spans hundreds of languages, cultures and traditions while sharing one faith.
Practical Ways to Use This Data
For Students and Writers
Always cite your source and year. A sentence such as "Pew estimates about 2 billion Muslims in 2020" is more trustworthy than "there are 2 billion Muslims". When you compare countries, use percentages as well as totals, so readers can see the full picture.
For Businesses and Organisations
The muslim population in world is not a single market. A family in Dhaka, a student in Cairo and a shopkeeper in Dakar share a faith but differ in language, income and daily routine. Use local research, and check halal standards in each country. Our guides to halal earning and Islamic economics are a good start.
For Travellers and Community Leaders
Knowing the size and share of the Muslim community in a country helps you plan respectfully. In a country above 95 percent Muslim, prayer times often shape business hours. In a country with a small Muslim minority, halal food and prayer spaces may be harder to find, so research ahead. Use our prayer times finder to plan your day.
Why the Muslim Population in World Matters
Understanding the muslim population in world is useful far beyond religion. Governments plan schools, hospitals and housing around population change. Companies study consumer markets. Journalists need accurate figures to avoid headlines that mislead. Community leaders use the numbers to plan mosques, charities and education programmes.
For Muslims themselves, the data also tell a human story. A community of roughly 2 billion people includes farmers in the Nile delta, engineers in Kuala Lumpur, nurses in Lagos and students in Istanbul. Behind every percentage point is a family, a language and a local way of living the same faith.
Three Steps to Read Muslim Population Numbers Wisely
Step 1: Check the year. A figure from 2010 and one from 2020 describe different worlds. The muslim population in world changes every year, so old numbers quickly go out of date.
Step 2: Check the definition. Some sources count only citizens, others count everyone living in a country. Some include disputed territories, others do not. Always read the notes under a table.
Step 3: Compare totals and percentages. A big total does not always mean a big share. India has one of the largest Muslim communities on earth, yet it is a minority there, while the Maldives has a small total but a share near 100 percent.
A Simple Example You Can Try
Suppose you are writing a school report. Instead of saying "Islam is big", you could write: "Pew Research Center estimates that Muslims made up about 25.6 percent of the world's population in 2020, and the four largest national communities are in Asia." That single sentence is clear, sourced and precise, which is exactly how the muslim population in world should be described.
You can also pair the data with our Islamic quiz to test what you have learned, or use the Hijri date converter when you study historical events.
Common Myths About the Muslim Population in World
Myth 1: Most Muslims Are Arabs
In fact, Arabs are a minority of the Muslim community. The four largest populations, Indonesia, Pakistan, India and Bangladesh, are all in South and Southeast Asia, and none of them is Arab.
Myth 2: Most Muslims Live in the Middle East
The Middle East has some of the highest percentages, but not the biggest numbers. Asia holds far more Muslims than any other region.
Myth 3: All Muslims Are the Same
Muslims differ in sect, school of law, language, ethnicity and national culture. A Muslim in Turkey, one in Senegal and one in Indonesia may have very different customs, even though they share the same faith and acts of worship.
Myth 4: Growth Will Continue Unchanged Forever
Fertility rates are falling in many Muslim majority countries, so growth is expected to slow over time. Population trends depend on education, health, income and migration, which is why long range predictions should always be read with care.
How Reliable Are Muslim Population Statistics?
Religious statistics are always estimates. Some countries do not ask about religion in their census, others ask but do not publish results, and in a few places the data are politically sensitive. China is a good example: estimates of its Muslim population range from about 6 million to 50 million.[1]
How to check for yourself: compare at least two sources, note the year, and prefer national censuses when available. The Pew religious composition tool and the CIA World Factbook religion listing let you look up individual countries.
What the Future May Hold
Most demographers expect the muslim population in world to keep growing in absolute terms, with the fastest increases in South Asia and sub Saharan Africa. At the same time, the pace should slow as fertility falls and the age structure matures.
The key lesson is humility. Projections change as new data arrive, and every forecast rests on assumptions about birth rates, migration and religious identity. Follow the original sources for updates, and read forecasts as scenarios rather than certainties.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Muslim Population in World
What is the muslim population in world today?
Pew Research Center estimates about 2.0 billion Muslims in 2020, while World Population Review lists about 1.9 billion based on older data. The difference reflects timing and method.
What percentage of the world is Muslim?
Pew estimates that Muslims made up about 25.6 percent of the world's population in 2020, up from 23.9 percent in 2010.
Which country has the largest Muslim population?
Indonesia, with about 249.8 million Muslims, followed by Pakistan, India and Bangladesh.
Is Islam the fastest growing religion?
According to Pew, Muslims were the fastest growing major religious group between 2010 and 2020, growing about 21 percent compared with about 10 percent for the rest of the world.
Why is the Muslim population growing so fast?
Mainly because of natural growth. Pew points to a relatively young age structure and a higher fertility rate, not mainly to conversion or migration.
How many Muslims are Sunni and how many are Shia?
World Population Review lists about 1.5 billion Sunni Muslims and 240 to 340 million Shia Muslims, with the remainder in smaller groups.
How many countries have a Muslim majority?
About 50 countries and territories, depending on whether disputed territories are counted.
Do most Muslims live in the Middle East?
No. Most live in Asia, especially Indonesia, Pakistan, India and Bangladesh.
The muslim population in world is large, young and diverse, and it is concentrated far more in Asia than in the Arab world. Use the tables above as a starting point, check the original sources, and keep learning with our guides on Islamic history, 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 may change as new surveys are released. This article is for general education.
References and Sources
All figures are estimates. Last checked: November 2026. The Quran verse is paraphrased, so please read the full text in a trusted translation.
- World Population Review, Muslim Majority Countries 2026
- Pew Research Center, How the Global Religious Landscape Changed From 2010 to 2020 (2025)
- Pew Research Center, Muslim Population Change (2025)
- Pew Research Center, Islam Was the World's Fastest Growing Religion From 2010 to 2020
- Quran 49:13, Surah Al Hujurat