The Rise of Islam: Fastest-Growing Faith Worldwide

The global Muslim population has undergone a remarkable demographic transformation over the past decade, positioning Islam as the fastest-growing religion in the world. According to a new report released by the Pew Research Center on June 9, 2025, the number of Muslims grew by more than 350 million people from 2010 to 2020-outpacing all other major religious groups.

This increase has not only boosted Islam's global share of the population but is also reshaping religious and cultural landscapes in every region of the world.

A Decade of Rapid Growth

Between 2010 and 2020, the global Muslim population expanded from 1.6 billion to 1.9 billion, a 21% increase, compared to a 10% growth rate among all non-Muslims. Today, Muslims make up approximately 26% of the global population, up from 24% a decade earlier.

No other religious group experienced this level of growth during the same period. The increase in the Muslim population (+347 million) far exceeded that of Christians (+122 million), Hindus (+80 million), and unaffiliated individuals (+72 million).

Regional Shifts and Concentrations

• Asia-Pacific remains home to the majority of Muslims, accounting for 59% of the global total-though this share has slightly decreased from 61% in 2010.
• Sub-Saharan Africa saw the most significant relative growth, increasing its share of the world's Muslim population from 15% to 18%, driven by high fertility and a youthful population.
• The Middle East-North Africa (MENA) region continues to house roughly 20% of all Muslims.
• In Europe, Muslims now make up 6% of the population, up from 5.3%, largely due to immigration and higher-than-average birth rates.
• North America experienced a stunning 52% increase in its Muslim population, now totaling 5.9 million.
• In contrast, Latin America and the Caribbean experienced more modest Muslim population growth of just 6%.

Where Most Muslims Live

The world's largest Muslim populations are concentrated in a few key countries:

• Indonesia leads with around 240 million Muslims, representing roughly 12% of the global total.
• Pakistan and India follow closely. Although India is majority-Hindu, it is home to over 200 million Muslims, making it one of the largest Muslim populations in the world.
• Together, Indonesia, Pakistan, and India account for nearly one-third of all Muslims globally.

What's Fueling the Growth?

1. High Fertility Rates

Muslims have the highest fertility rate of any major religious group. In regions such as Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia, Muslim families tend to have more children on average compared to non-Muslims-resulting in rapid generational growth.

2. Young Age Structure

Globally, Muslims have a median age that is younger than that of any other major faith group, which means a larger proportion of Muslims are entering their childbearing years each decade.

3. Migration

Migration has significantly boosted the Muslim population in North America and Europe. The Syrian civil war, political instability in Afghanistan, and economic migration from South Asia have contributed to a large influx of Muslim refugees and workers, especially between 2014 and 2018.

4. Conversions to Islam

Although conversions are not the primary driver of global Muslim population growth, they still play a notable role-particularly in the United States and Europe. Pew data shows that Islam gains more converts than it loses in North America, where an estimated 23% of American Muslim adults are converts to the faith. Most conversions are motivated by spiritual conviction, marriage, or social justice concerns.

Globally, conversions are net-positive for Islam, even if their impact is modest compared to birth rates. By contrast, some other religious groups-particularly Christianity in Western countries-tend to see a net loss due to conversion trends.

Looking Ahead: Islam and the Future of Faith

According to Pew Research projections, Islam is poised to become the world's largest religion by the second half of the 21st century. If current trends continue, the Muslim share of the global population will continue to rise steadily, while the Christian share may plateau.

This demographic momentum has deep implications for geopolitics, social policy, interfaith relations, and cultural identity across the globe. As younger Muslim populations come of age, and diasporas strengthen their presence in Western societies, the influence of Islam-culturally, spiritually, and politically-is set to grow.

Full Report

For detailed statistics, maps, and regional insights, read the full Pew Research Center study.