Pew Research Center Report, based in Washington, America, has said in a new study that the religious structure of the world has been changing rapidly in the last decade. Between 2010 and 2020, there was a huge increase in the global population and the number of almost all major religions increased, but among all this, the growth of the Muslim population was the fastest, while the share of Christianity has gradually declined.

According to Pew Research Center Report, there were about 2.18 billion Christians in the world in 2010, which increased to 2.30 billion in 2020. Despite the increase in numbers, the proportion of Christians in the world population decreased from 30.6% to 28.8%. The study also found that the birth rate in Christianity remained the same, but a large number of people were leaving the religion. According to the author of the report, Conrad Hackett, for every new Christian, three people distance themselves from Christianity. This nature is affecting the population of Christian society.

Rapid expansion in population of Islam

Between 2010 and 2020, the population of Islam has increased by approximately 34.7 crores. Now the number of Muslims in the world has exceeded 2 billion. Their share increased from 23.8% to 25.6%. There are many reasons for this increase, like the rate of conversion here is very low, due to which the natural increase is happening rapidly. Experts estimate that in the coming decades the Christian and Muslim populations may be almost equal.

Hinduism and Judaism stable population

The report shows that the population of Hindu religion increased by about 126 million and its total has reached 1.2 billion. Yet globally its share remains stable at around 14.9%. A slight increase was also recorded in Judaism, it was 1.38 crore in 2010, which increased to 1.48 crore in 2020. This is still only 0.2% of the world’s population. There is very little conversion in both the religions, due to which their position remained stable.

Decline in Buddhism and rise of non-religious

The population of Buddhism was 34.3 crore in 2010, which decreased to 32.4 crore in 2020. Low birth rate and conversion were the main reasons for its decline. On the other hand, the number of unaffiliated or non-religious people has increased. This category includes atheists, agnostics and those who do not want to join any religion. Their share was 23.3% in 2010, which increased to 24.2% in 2020. This has happened because of people leaving religion from Christian society. The largest number of unaffiliated people are found in China, America and Japan.

Growing religiosity in Africa and Asia

The report states that now about 31% of the world’s Christians live in Sub-Saharan Africa, whereas in 2010 this figure was 24.8%. The high birth rate and young population here are the main reasons for this. On the contrary, the influence of Christianity is declining in Europe. In African countries like Mozambique, an increase of about 5% has been recorded in the Christian population. Pew Research Center report states that by the middle of the 21st century, Christians and Muslims together will lead almost half of the world’s population. Secularism and disaffiliation will increase in developed countries, while religious identity and faith will become stronger in Africa and Asia.

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World muslim population: Islam is the second largest religion in the world and today it contains about 25% of the world’s population in its followers. The Muslim population is not only limited to Middle-East and Asia, but it is also widely spread in areas like Europe, Africa and America.

According to the reports of institutions like the United Nations and Pu Research Center, the fastest growth in the Muslim population will be seen in the coming decades, which is estimated that it could become the largest religious community in the world by 2050.

Let us now know about the 10 countries of the world where the number of Muslims is the highest. Some countries are expected in this list, but some shocking people. The population figures below are of the World Population Review.

1. Indonesia (Indonesia)

Indonesia is the largest Muslim country in the world. More than 24 crore Muslims live here, which is about 88.25% of the total population of the country. The arrival of Islam in Indonesia took place through trade routes and gradually it became the main culture there.

2. Pakistan (Pakistan)

More than 24 crore Muslims live in Pakistan, which is about 96% of the population. This country is an Islamic republic and the constitution here recognizes Islam as state religion. Both Sunni and Shia communities live in Pakistan.

3. India (India)

The number of Muslim population in India is about 20 crores. This number comes third in the world, even if India is a secular nation. The cultural diversity of Muslims is high here. They are an important part of the social, political and economic structure of the country.

4. Bangladesh (Bangladesh)

About 91% of the total population of Bangladesh is Muslim. More than 15 crore Muslims live here. Bangladesh has a deep connection between Islam, culture and tradition.

5. Nigeria (Nigeria)

Nigeria is the largest Muslim country in the African continent. Muslims are majority in the northern and western regions of the country. Overall, more than 9 crore Muslims live here. This is 48.5 percent of the total number.

6. Egypt (Egypt)

Egypt is considered to be the center of Islamic history and education. It is famous worldwide due to prestigious institutions like Al-Azhar University. There are about 9 crore Muslims in Egypt, which is about 94.74% of the total population.

7. Turkey

There are more than 8 crore to 40 lakh Muslims in the Turki. The Turkas have ancient history of Islam and it has been the center of Khalifa rule in the past. The total Muslim population here is 98.14 percent.

8. Iran (Iran)

Iran is a Shia -dominated Muslim country and there are more than 8 crore 25 lakh Muslims here. The history of Iran is deeply associated with the Islamic revolution and Shia ideology. Muslim population is 99 percent of the total population.

9. China (China)

China has a population of 5 crore in the world’s second largest population country, China. Muslims living here are called Uygar. There are many types of restrictions on the Muslims here, such as a ban on reading Quran. It is also forbidden to keep a beard. The number of Muslims living here is just 3.6 percent.

10. Algeria (Algeria)

About 4 crore 37 lakh Muslims live in Algeria. This country is located in North Africa and Islam is the main religion here. The constitution here also recognizes Islam as government religion. The total population of Muslims in Algeria is 99 percent.

Muslim population in next 5 year: According to the new population estimates of the Forum on Religion and Public Life of Pu Research Center, the world’s Muslim population is expected to increase by about 35 per cent in the next 20 years, which will increase from 1.6 billion figures in 2010 to 2.2 billion by 2030. The Muslim population in the next 5 years at the global level is expected to grow at a rate of almost double the non-Muslim population. The average annual growth rate for Muslims is 1.5 per cent, while 0.7 per cent for non-Muslims. If the current trend continues, in 2030 the total estimated population of the Muslim world will become 26.4 per cent of 8.3 billion, which will be considered as 23.4 per cent of the estimated world population of 2010.

According to the report of Pew Research Center, in the next 5 years i.e. in the year 2030, there will be one million or more Muslim residents in 79 countries of the world, whereas today it is from 72 countries. Most Muslims (about 60 per cent) of the world will live in the Asia-Pacific region, while about 20 per cent will live in the Middle East and North Africa. It is also estimated that in 2030, the total population of Muslims in 10 European countries will be more than 10 percent. Russia is expected to have the largest Muslim population during 2030.

Let us know that in the year 2010, the Muslim population in Russia was 16.4 million or 18 percent, but in the year 2030 this number is estimated to reach 18.6 million, which will be more than 20 percent. In this way, the growth rate of Muslim population in Russia is expected to be 0.6% annually in the next 5 years.

Main reasons for Muslim population growth
There are many social, cultural and economic reasons behind the rapid growth in the Muslim population. The birth rate in muscle communities is higher than other religions. The average fertility rate of women is close to 3.1 children per woman in many Muslim countries. The percentage of youth in the Muslim population is higher than other religions. This keeps the speed of population growth more. The average life expectancy of the Muslim population has increased due to improvement in good health services and standard of living. Muslim population growth can have many social and economic impacts. More population can mean increased labor force and new opportunities for economic development. The consumer market will expand in Muslim -majority countries.

World Muslim Population in 2030: By 2030, a significant increase in Muslim population worldwide is expected. In view of the current situation, by 2030, there will be more than one million Muslim residents in 79 countries, which will be a big change compared to today’s 72 countries. Most Muslims (about 60 per cent) of the world will remain in the Asia-Pacific region, while about 20 per cent will settle in Middle East and North Africa, which is still the same today. Meanwhile, part of the Muslims of the world is likely to grow in sub-city Africa, where the number of Muslims in countries like Nigeria will be more than Egypt.

There are many major reasons behind this change, such as fertility rates, immigration, and better health services result in infant mortality. By 2030, most Muslims of the world will remain in the Asia-Pacific region. The region will see an increase in the number of major Muslim population countries like Indonesia, Pakistan, India, and Bangladesh. In particular, Pakistan can become the largest Muslim-dominated country, leaving behind Indonesia.

Population growth due to youth population
The main reason for Muslim population growth in Asia-Pacific regions is high fertility rate. In addition, the youth population here is entering the main breeding years, which is speeding up the pace of population growth. Due to improvement in better health facilities and economic conditions in Muslim-majority countries, infant mortality has also declined, which further promotes population growth.

Muslim population growth in Europe and America
By 2030, there will also be an increase in Muslim population in Europe and America, although these areas will remain minority for the Muslim population. In Europe, share of Muslim population will increase from 6 per cent of 2010 to 8 per cent in 2030. In particular, this growth will be high in western and northern Europe, where Muslim population can reach double digits (percent) in many countries.

In the United Kingdom, by 2030 the Muslim population will be 8.2% of the total population, which is more than 4.6% in 2010 today. This number in France will increase from 7.5 percent to 10.3 percent today. The Muslim population in Austria is expected to reach 9.3%, which is much higher than in 2010.

Muslim population in America too
In America too, the Muslim population will be more than doubled. Increased from 2.6 million in 2010 to 6.2 million in 2030, it is expected to reach 6.2 million. The major reason for this growth is immigration and high fertility rate of Muslims. Thus, the percentage of Muslims in the total population of America will increase from 0.8% in 2010 to 1.7% in 2030.

Increase in Muslim population in sub-city Africa
There will also be an increase in Muslim population in sub-Sahara Africa. The number of Muslims in Nigeria may exceed Egypt by 2030. The part of the population of Muslims in this region is expected to increase rapidly, which is more than other countries in the region.

Muslim population due to growth
Many factors are responsible for the growth of Muslim population worldwide:

Fertility rate: The Muslim population consists of more children per woman, which makes their growth rate higher than non-Muslim population.
Immigration: People from many Muslim countries are migrating to other areas, especially in areas like Europe and America. This immigration is a major factor of Muslim population growth.
Better Health Services: The improvement of health services in Muslim-majority countries has reduced infant mortality, which has further strengthened population growth.
Youth Population: The youth population of Muslim countries will enter the main reproductive age in the coming years, which will ensure that their population will increase rapidly.

Pew Research Center Report on Muslim Population: The total population of the world is 800 crores. One fourth of this is of Muslims who believe in the religion of Islam, whose figure is crossing 200 crores. This figure is increasing day by day, because there is a total of 57 Islamic countries in the whole world. However, in the meantime, a very shocking report has come out, which states that the number of Muslims in some parts of the world is going to decrease considerably in the coming 25 years i.e. 2050. According to the report of Pew Research Center. In the Asia Pacific sector, the population of Muslims in 2010 was 61.7 per cent of the total population, but by 2050 it is estimated to be reduced to 52.8 per cent.

The main reason for this decline is low fertility rate, urbanization and other socio-economic factors, which are reducing the proportion of Muslim population. In many countries, the size of the family is getting smaller due to urbanization and better education and health services. Non-Muslim population is also developing rapidly in this region, which is reducing the proportion of Muslim population.

Importance of Muslim demographics in Asia Pacific sector
Asia Pacific is the largest Muslim-bound region in the world, including many Muslim-dominated countries such as Indonesia, Malaysia, and Bangladesh. Despite the decrease in the Muslim population in the region by 2050, it will still remain a major demographic part. However, with the growth of other religious groups, the balance of population in the region may change.

Future effects
This estimate of the declining Muslim population can affect many social, political and economic aspects. Changes in religious balance can also show changes in cultural and religious policies. Economic schemes and political policies can also be affected by this demographic change.

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