In 2023, over 87 percent of Indonesians declared themselves to be Muslim, followed by 7.4 percent who were Christians. Indonesia has the largest Islamic population in the world and for this reason is often recognized as a Muslim nation. However, Indonesia is not a Muslim nation according to its constitution. The archipelago is a multifaith country and officially recognizes six religions – Islam, Protestantism, Catholicism, Buddhism, Hinduism, and Confucianism.

Not all provinces in Indonesia are Muslim majority
The spread of Islam in Indonesia began on the west side of the archipelago, where the main maritime trade routes were located. Until today, most of the Indonesian Muslim population are residing in Western and Central Indonesia, while the majority religion of several provinces in Eastern Indonesia, such as East Nusa Tenggara and Bali, is Christian and Hindu, respectively.

Discrimination towards other beliefs in Indonesia The Indonesian constitution provides for freedom of religion. However, the Government Restrictions Index Score on religion in Indonesia is relatively high. Indonesians who practice unrecognized religions, including Indonesia’s indigenous or traditional belief systems, such as animism, dynamism, and totemism, face legal restrictions and discrimination. Indonesian law requires its citizens to put one of the recognized religions on their national identity cards, with some exceptions for indigenous religions. Although legally citizens may leave the section blank, atheism or agnosticism is considered uncommon in Indonesia.

As of 2021, approximately 98.6 percent of the population in Aceh, Indonesia were Muslims. Despite being the largest Muslim-majority country, Indonesia is a multi-faith country by the constitution and officially recognizes six religions – Islam, Protestantism, Catholicism, Buddhism, Hinduism, and Confucianism.

In 2023, it was estimated that approximately 87 percent of the Indonesian population were Muslim, accounting for the highest share of Muslims in any Southeast Asian country. Indonesia also has the world's largest Muslim population, with an estimated 229 million Muslims.

Demographics of Indonesia

The total population of Indonesia was estimated to reach around 290 million in 2028. The median age of the population in the country was at an all-time high in 2020 and was projected to increase continuously until the end of the century. In 2020, the population density in Indonesia reached its highest value recorded at about 145.7 people per square kilometer.

Shopping behavior during Ramadan in Indonesia

Nearly all Muslims in Indonesia celebrated Ramadan in 2022. During the month of Ramadan, 60 percent of Indonesian users utilized online applications to order food. Many Indonesians planned to shop online or offline during Ramadan, with around 76 percent of online users planning to purchase fashion wear and accessories. Shopee was the most used app for shopping purposes during that period.

According to the population census data in 2010, 54.14 percent of the population in East Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia were Catholics. East Nusa Tenggara is the province with the least Muslim population in Indonesia. Indonesia has the largest Islamic population in the world. However, Indonesia is a multi-faith country that recognizes six official religions – Islam, Protestantism, Catholicism, Buddhism, Hinduism, and Confucianism.

In 2022, there were approximately 48 million Muslims in West Java, making it the province with the largest Muslim population in Indonesia. It was followed by East Java, where the Muslim population reached around 40 million.

In 2022, Indonesia has the largest population of Muslims worldwide with around 241.5 million. This was followed with around 225.6 million Muslims in Pakistan and 211.16 million Muslims in India.

The 2010 census recorded that there were approximately 104 million male Muslims in Indonesia. Meanwhile, the female Muslim population was slightly lower, at nearly 103 million. Indonesia conducts its census every ten years. Detailed demographic breakdowns by religion from the 2020 census are not yet publicly available.

The 2010 census recorded that there were approximately 20 million Muslims aged five to nine years in Indonesia, making it the largest age group among the country's Muslim population. Indonesia conducts its census every ten years. Detailed demographic breakdowns by religion from the 2020 census are not yet publicly available.

In 2021, around 86.8 percent of the population in Bali were Hindus. Indonesia has the largest Islamic population in the world and therefore the largest Muslim nation. However, Indonesia is not a Muslim nation by constitution. The archipelago has six official religions – Islam, Protestantism, Catholicism, Buddhism, Hinduism, and Confucianism.

In 2023, approximately 244.4 million people in Indonesia identified as Muslims. Indonesia has the largest Islamic population in the world. However, it is a multi-faith country and officially recognizes six religions: Islam, Protestantism, Catholicism, Buddhism, Hinduism, and Confucianism.

Islam is the major religion in many African countries, especially in the north of the continent. In Comoros, Libya, Western Sahara, at least 99 percent of the population was Muslim as of 202. These were the highest percentages on the continent. However, also in many other African nations, the majority of the population was Muslim. In Egypt, for instance, Islam was the religion of 79 percent of the people. Islam and other religions in Africa Africa accounts for an important share of the world’s Muslim population. As of 2019, 16 percent of the Muslims worldwide lived in Sub-Saharan Africa, while 20 percent of them lived in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. Together with Christianity, Islam is the most common religious affiliation in Africa, followed by several traditional African religions. Although to a smaller extent, numerous other religions are practiced on the continent: these include Judaism, the Baha’i Faith, Hinduism, and Buddhism. Number of Muslims worldwide Islam is one of the most widespread religions in the world. There are approximately 1.9 billion Muslims globally, with the largest Muslim communities living in the Asia-Pacific region. Specifically, Indonesia hosts the highest number of Muslims worldwide, amounting to over 200 million, followed by India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh. Islam is also present in Europe and America. The largest Islamic communities in Europe are in France (5.72 million), Germany (4.95 million), and the United Kingdom (4.13 million). In the United States, there is an estimated number of around 3.45 million Muslims.

According to the population census data in 2010, 18.64 percent of Buddhist population in Indonesia resided in Jakarta, making it the province where the largest Buddhist population in Indonesia lived. Indonesia has the largest Islamic population in the world and therefore the largest Muslim nation. However, Indonesia is not a Muslim nation by constitution. The archipelago has six official religions – Islam, Protestantism, Catholicism, Buddhism, Hinduism, and Confucianism.

In 2020, around 98.5 percent of the Iranian population identified as Muslim. Around 81 percent identified as Shia Muslims in the same year, while a much smaller share followed the Sunni Muslim religion. In Iran, most Sunni Muslims belong to ethnic minority groups.

Iran’s demographics
The total population in Iran has grown steadily and is expected to surpass 90 million in 2028. The vast majority of the population in the country was between 15 and 64 years of age. At the same time, the share of people aged above 64 increased in recent years and constituted over seven percent of the total population.

Muslim population worldwide

In Europe, it was estimated that the Muslim population could triple by the middle of the century. In Southeast Asia, Indonesia had the largest share of Muslims as a proportion of its population. On the African continent, the highest number of Muslims was estimated in Nigeria, with close to a hundred million Islam followers. In the United States, less than one percent of the population identified as Muslims.

In 2021, around 53.59 percent of the population in East Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia were Catholics. Indonesia has the largest Islamic population in the world and therefore the largest Muslim nation. However, Indonesia is not a Muslim nation by constitution. The archipelago has six official religions – Islam, Protestantism, Catholicism, Buddhism, Hinduism, and Confucianism.

A 2022 survey found that all respondents in Indonesia believed in God or unseen beings, and around 98 percent considered religion very important in their lives. Indonesia has the largest Muslim population in the world. However, it is not a Muslim nation by constitution. The country recognizes six official religions: Islam, Protestantism, Catholicism, Hinduism, Buddhism, and Confucianism.

In 2021, almost 70 percent of the population in Papua, Indonesia were Protestants. Indonesia has the largest Islamic population in the world and therefore the largest Muslim nation. However, Indonesia is not a Muslim nation by constitution. The archipelago has six official religions – Islam, Protestantism, Catholicism, Buddhism, Hinduism, and Confucianism.

In 2023, there were around 463,654 divorces involving Muslim marriages, a decrease in compared to the previous year. 2022 saw a peak in divorces, reaching an all-time high for the past decade. The rise in divorce cases indicated a growing acceptance of the practice. Even so, divorcing in Indonesia can have serious consequences, especially for women. Muslim marriages in Indonesia Indonesia has the world’s largest Muslim population, and they are served by the religious courts with regards to matters concerning marriage and divorce, inheritance, and property. In 2022, almost two million Muslim marriages took place in Indonesia, including informal registrations. Under Syariah law, Muslims are permitted to marry once they reach sexual maturity. This has led to a widespread practice of forced child marriage in Indonesia. In September 2019, the Indonesian parliament passed a bill to raise the minimum age of marriage for women from 16 years to 19 years. Financial burden of divorce Forced marriage was cited as a ground for divorce in 377 cases in 2022. The second-most commonly cited grounds for divorce, however, were financial problems and difficulties. Unfortunately, for many women, the financial difficulties would not end with divorce – in fact, it may just be the beginning. Men are typically the primary breadwinner in Indonesia, leaving many women financially dependent on their husbands. As of 2021, only half of Indonesian women had an account in a financial institution. Meanwhile, custody of the children is usually awarded to the woman after a divorce. This leaves many Indonesian women without financial support, and the additional burden of having children to raise alone. Despite the decreasing stigma of divorce, many women might still choose to stay in a bad marriage to avoid being put in a financially precarious situation.

A 2022 survey found that approximately 95 percent of respondents in Indonesia prayed daily. Meanwhile, around four percent of survey participants stated that they prayed weekly. Indonesia has the largest Muslim population in the world. However, it is not a Muslim nation by constitution. The country recognizes six official religions: Islam, Protestantism, Catholicism, Hinduism, Buddhism, and Confucianism.

As of the last quarter of 2023, Islamic banking assets constituted 7.46 percent of total banking assets in Indonesia, reflecting a slight increase from previous years. Despite this steady growth, the penetration rate remains relatively low, especially considering that Indonesia, home to the world's largest Muslim population, ranks only 21st globally in Islamic banking penetration.

A survey conducted in May 2022 revealed that 39 percent of Indonesian Muslim consumers shopped online at least once a week. Meanwhile, 23 percent of them stated that they made online purchases at least once a month.

Spending patterns in the halal industry

Indonesia, known as the country with the largest Muslim population in the world, is one of the leading countries in terms of halal food consumption and the use of halal cosmetics. In 2020, Indonesian Muslim consumers spent a total of approximately 184 billion U.S. dollars on halal products and services. Looking at current spending patterns, consumer spending on halal products has the potential to continue to increase in the coming years. Among the frequently used halal personal care and beauty products were toothpaste, shampoo, facial cleansers, and deodorants.

Halal services, payments, and banking

Despite the increasing focus on halal products and services, a 2023 survey revealed that a significant number of Indonesians still rely on conventional banks rather than opting for Sharia banks. Among those with Sharia bank accounts, the most popular Sharia banks were Bank Syariah Indonesia (BSI) and BCA Syariah. Furthermore, in terms of payment methods, both for online and in-person transactions, the most popular payment services among Indonesian Muslim consumers were GoPay and Ovo.