Asked by Damianah Joy Locher
Where is Islam Practiced in the World?
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Short answer
Islam is practiced worldwide. There are roughly 1.9–2.0 billion Muslims — about 24–25% of the world’s population — living on every continent.
Where Muslims are concentrated
- Asia–Pacific: The largest share of the world’s Muslims lives in Asia and the Pacific. Major countries: Indonesia (the single largest Muslim-population country), Pakistan, India (large Muslim minority), Bangladesh, Malaysia, and parts of Southeast Asia.
- Middle East & North Africa (MENA): Most countries in this region have Muslim majorities: Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Turkey, Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya, Yemen, GCC states, etc.
- Sub‑Saharan Africa: Large and growing Muslim populations in Nigeria, Senegal, Mali, Niger, Somalia, Sudan, Chad, Guinea, the Gambia and others.
- Central Asia & the Caucasus: Majority-Muslim countries include Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Azerbaijan.
- Europe: Muslim-majority or plurality in Albania, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Kosovo, and parts of the Caucasus; sizable Muslim minorities (and growing immigrant communities) in France, Germany, the UK, the Netherlands, Sweden and other Western European countries; also Muslim populations in Russia (Chechnya, Dagestan) and Turkey (partly in Europe).
- The Americas & Oceania: Smaller Muslim minorities and immigrant communities in the United States, Canada, Brazil, Argentina, Trinidad & Tobago, Australia, New Zealand and elsewhere.
Largest national Muslim populations (by rank)
Indonesia, Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, Nigeria, Egypt, Iran, Turkey, Algeria, Morocco (these are the countries with the largest numbers of Muslims worldwide).
Sectarian distribution (broad)
- Sunni Muslims make up the majority globally (roughly 85–90% of Muslims).
- Shia Muslims are about 10–15% of the global Muslim population; they are concentrated in Iran, Iraq, Azerbaijan and Bahrain and have sizable communities in Lebanon, Yemen, Pakistan and India.
- Smaller traditions: Ibadism (notably Oman), various Sufi orders widespread across regions.
Notes
- The geographic picture changes over time because of differing birth rates, migration and conversion patterns. For the most detailed, up‑to‑date breakdowns by country/region see demographic studies such as those from Pew Research Center or national census sources.
Islam is practiced worldwide. There are roughly 1.9–2.0 billion Muslims — about 24–25% of the world’s population — living on every continent.
Where Muslims are concentrated
- Asia–Pacific: The largest share of the world’s Muslims lives in Asia and the Pacific. Major countries: Indonesia (the single largest Muslim-population country), Pakistan, India (large Muslim minority), Bangladesh, Malaysia, and parts of Southeast Asia.
- Middle East & North Africa (MENA): Most countries in this region have Muslim majorities: Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Turkey, Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya, Yemen, GCC states, etc.
- Sub‑Saharan Africa: Large and growing Muslim populations in Nigeria, Senegal, Mali, Niger, Somalia, Sudan, Chad, Guinea, the Gambia and others.
- Central Asia & the Caucasus: Majority-Muslim countries include Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Azerbaijan.
- Europe: Muslim-majority or plurality in Albania, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Kosovo, and parts of the Caucasus; sizable Muslim minorities (and growing immigrant communities) in France, Germany, the UK, the Netherlands, Sweden and other Western European countries; also Muslim populations in Russia (Chechnya, Dagestan) and Turkey (partly in Europe).
- The Americas & Oceania: Smaller Muslim minorities and immigrant communities in the United States, Canada, Brazil, Argentina, Trinidad & Tobago, Australia, New Zealand and elsewhere.
Largest national Muslim populations (by rank)
Indonesia, Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, Nigeria, Egypt, Iran, Turkey, Algeria, Morocco (these are the countries with the largest numbers of Muslims worldwide).
Sectarian distribution (broad)
- Sunni Muslims make up the majority globally (roughly 85–90% of Muslims).
- Shia Muslims are about 10–15% of the global Muslim population; they are concentrated in Iran, Iraq, Azerbaijan and Bahrain and have sizable communities in Lebanon, Yemen, Pakistan and India.
- Smaller traditions: Ibadism (notably Oman), various Sufi orders widespread across regions.
Notes
- The geographic picture changes over time because of differing birth rates, migration and conversion patterns. For the most detailed, up‑to‑date breakdowns by country/region see demographic studies such as those from Pew Research Center or national census sources.
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