The Islamic faith, one of the world's major religions, encompasses diverse cultures, histories, languages, and traditions around the globe. The Muslim community or 'Ummah’ is widely dispersed, adding a rich tapestry of diversity to nations across continents. The United States, for instance, holds a significant Muslim population that contributes significantly to the multi-cultural fabric of the nation.
According to recent estimates, the global Muslim population stands at approximately 1.8 billion as of 2022, representing about 24% of the world's total population. While Islam originated in the Arabian Peninsula in the 7th century CE, it has since spread worldwide.
Key findings from the data include:
Without a doubt, these numbers represent more than just statistics. They stand testament to the cross-cultural exchanges, historical migrations, and the global spread of ideas that have shaped our world. This multi-dimensionality of the Muslim population contributes to the socio-cultural diversity and global human heritage in countries around the world, from the archipelago of Indonesia to the melting pot of the United States.
The countries with the highest Muslim populations are Indonesia, Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, Nigeria, Egypt, Iran, Turkey, Algeria, and Sudan.
Indonesia tops the list as the country with the highest Muslim population globally, with a staggering number of 229.0M Muslims. Following closely, Pakistan is the country with the second highest Muslim population at 200.4M, with India trailing slightly behind at 195.0M.
Next on the list is Bangladesh, which boasts a Muslim population of 153.7M. Nigeria also has a sizeable Muslim community with 99.0M Muslims making up part of its population.
Egypt, Iran, and Turkey also contribute significantly to the global Muslim populace, with 87.5M, 82.5M, and 79.9M Muslims respectively.
Lastly, Algeria and Sudan complete the top-ten list with similarly notable Muslim populations of 41.2M and 39.6M.
10 Countries with the Highest Muslim Population:
To sort the data in the table, click on the column headers.
Year: 2023
Source: The World Factbook (CIA)