With almost all major religions being practiced throughout the country, India is known for its religious diversity. Islam makes up the highest share among minority faiths in the country. According to the Indian census of 2011, the Muslim population in Uttar Pradesh more than ** million, making it the state with the most Muslims.

Socio-economic conditions of Muslims
Muslims seem to lag behind every other religious community in India in terms of living standards, financial stability, education and other aspects, thereby showing poor performance in most of the fields. According to a national survey, 17 percent of the Muslims were categorized under the lowest wealth index, which indicates poor socio-economic conditions.

Growth of Muslim population in India
Islam is one of the fastest-growing religions worldwide. According to India’s census, the Muslim population has witnessed a negative decadal growth of more than ** percent from 1951 to 1960, presumably due to the partitions forming Pakistan and Bangladesh. The population showed a positive and steady growth since 1961, making up ** percent of the total population of India . Even though people following Islam were estimated to grow significantly, they would still remain a minority in India compared to *** billion Hindus by 2050.

According to data published by Ipsos, Indian respondents overestimated the proportion of Muslim population in their country. On average, the respondents thought that around ** out of every 100 people in India were Muslims, when the actual share of Muslim population was around ** percent in the country.

According to the latest census data, Lakshadweep, the island union territory had the highest share of Muslim population in the country, where ** percent of its population identified as followers of the Islamic faith. Jammu & Kashmir ranked second at ** percent during the same time period. With almost all major religions being practiced throughout the country, India is known for its religious diversity. Islam makes up the highest share among minority faiths in the country.

India Census: Population: by Religion: Muslim: Urban data was reported at 68,740,419.000 Person in 2011. This records an increase from the previous number of 49,393,496.000 Person for 2001. India Census: Population: by Religion: Muslim: Urban data is updated yearly, averaging 59,066,957.500 Person from Mar 2001 (Median) to 2011, with 2 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 68,740,419.000 Person in 2011 and a record low of 49,393,496.000 Person in 2001. India Census: Population: by Religion: Muslim: Urban data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Census of India. The data is categorized under India Premium Database’s Demographic – Table IN.GAE001: Census: Population: by Religion.

Census: Population: by Religion: Muslim: Chandigarh data was reported at 51,447.000 Person in 03-01-2011. This records an increase from the previous number of 35,548.000 Person for 03-01-2001. Census: Population: by Religion: Muslim: Chandigarh data is updated decadal, averaging 43,497.500 Person from Mar 2001 (Median) to 03-01-2011, with 2 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 51,447.000 Person in 03-01-2011 and a record low of 35,548.000 Person in 03-01-2001. Census: Population: by Religion: Muslim: Chandigarh data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Office of the Registrar General & Census Commissioner, India. The data is categorized under India Premium Database’s Demographic – Table IN.GAE003: Census: Population: by Religion: Muslim.

In 2020, Indonesia recorded the largest population of Muslims worldwide, with around 239 million. This was followed with around 226.88 million Muslims in Pakistan and 213 million Muslims in India.

According to India's last census in 2011, about 14.2 percent of the total population identified as Muslims. This was an increase from about ten percent in 1951. Overall, India has been a religiously pluralistic and multiethnic democracy with people of several faiths.

Census: Population: by Religion: Muslim: Madhya Pradesh data was reported at 4,774,695.000 Person in 03-01-2011. This records an increase from the previous number of 3,841,449.000 Person for 03-01-2001. Census: Population: by Religion: Muslim: Madhya Pradesh data is updated decadal, averaging 4,308,072.000 Person from Mar 2001 (Median) to 03-01-2011, with 2 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 4,774,695.000 Person in 03-01-2011 and a record low of 3,841,449.000 Person in 03-01-2001. Census: Population: by Religion: Muslim: Madhya Pradesh data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Office of the Registrar General & Census Commissioner, India. The data is categorized under India Premium Database’s Demographic – Table IN.GAE003: Census: Population: by Religion: Muslim.

Census: Population: by Religion: Muslim: Uttarakhand data was reported at 1,406,825.000 Person in 03-01-2011. This records an increase from the previous number of 1,012,141.000 Person for 03-01-2001. Census: Population: by Religion: Muslim: Uttarakhand data is updated decadal, averaging 1,209,483.000 Person from Mar 2001 (Median) to 03-01-2011, with 2 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 1,406,825.000 Person in 03-01-2011 and a record low of 1,012,141.000 Person in 03-01-2001. Census: Population: by Religion: Muslim: Uttarakhand data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Office of the Registrar General & Census Commissioner, India. The data is categorized under India Premium Database’s Demographic – Table IN.GAE003: Census: Population: by Religion: Muslim.

It was estimated that by 2050, India's Muslim population would grow by ** percent compared to 2010. For followers of the Hindu faith, this change stood at ** percent. According to this projection, the south Asian country would be home not just to the world's majority of Hindus, but also Muslims by this time period. Regardless, the latter would continue to remain a minority within the country at ** percent, with ** percent or *** billion Hindus at the forefront by 2050.

Census: Population: by Religion: Muslim: Chhattisgarh data was reported at 514,998.000 Person in 03-01-2011. This records an increase from the previous number of 409,615.000 Person for 03-01-2001. Census: Population: by Religion: Muslim: Chhattisgarh data is updated decadal, averaging 462,306.500 Person from Mar 2001 (Median) to 03-01-2011, with 2 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 514,998.000 Person in 03-01-2011 and a record low of 409,615.000 Person in 03-01-2001. Census: Population: by Religion: Muslim: Chhattisgarh data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Office of the Registrar General & Census Commissioner, India. The data is categorized under India Premium Database’s Demographic – Table IN.GAE003: Census: Population: by Religion: Muslim.

Census: Population: by Religion: Muslim: Karnataka: Female data was reported at 3,885,194.000 Person in 03-01-2011. This records an increase from the previous number of 3,160,545.000 Person for 03-01-2001. Census: Population: by Religion: Muslim: Karnataka: Female data is updated decadal, averaging 3,522,869.500 Person from Mar 2001 (Median) to 03-01-2011, with 2 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 3,885,194.000 Person in 03-01-2011 and a record low of 3,160,545.000 Person in 03-01-2001. Census: Population: by Religion: Muslim: Karnataka: Female data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Office of the Registrar General & Census Commissioner, India. The data is categorized under India Premium Database’s Demographic – Table IN.GAE003: Census: Population: by Religion: Muslim.

According to India's last census in 2011, the Muslim population had about 24.6 percent of decadal growth rate, while Hindus had a decadal growth rate of 16.8 percent. India, a secular nation provides religious freedom as a fundamental right under the constitution to its citizens.

Census: Population: by Religion: Muslim: Himachal Pradesh data was reported at 149,881.000 Person in 03-01-2011. This records an increase from the previous number of 119,512.000 Person for 03-01-2001. Census: Population: by Religion: Muslim: Himachal Pradesh data is updated decadal, averaging 134,696.500 Person from Mar 2001 (Median) to 03-01-2011, with 2 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 149,881.000 Person in 03-01-2011 and a record low of 119,512.000 Person in 03-01-2001. Census: Population: by Religion: Muslim: Himachal Pradesh data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Office of the Registrar General & Census Commissioner, India. The data is categorized under India Premium Database’s Demographic – Table IN.GAE003: Census: Population: by Religion: Muslim.

Comprehensive population and demographic data for Chak Abdul Islam Village

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.

Religion and Bangladesh

Religion in Bangladesh is a sensitive issue, mostly because Bangladesh is officially a secular state but recognizes Islam as an official, state religion. Historically and doctrinally, Islamic scholars don’t accept nations that are secular because they think that religion, society and private life are all part of the great community they like to call ‘umma’.

The main religion in Bangladesh is Islam because it is practiced by almost 90 percent of the country’s population. The rest of 10 percent adhere to Hinduism. The type of Islam that is practiced in Bangladesh is Sunni Islam with a lot of Sufi influences. Sunni is the most numerous branch of Islam in the world. Countries like Egypt and Saudi Arabia have Sunni majority populations. The Sufi practices that influence the Islamic religion in Bangladesh are commonly known as mysticism. Sufi followers are poor men that don’t eat, don’t drink and spend their days in deep prayer in order to achieve spiritual connection with God.

Bangladesh has the fourth largest Muslim population in the world, with over 130 million followers, right after Indonesia, Pakistan and India. In its constitution, Bangladesh is recognized as a secular state. For a short period of time, when Bangladesh was under Pakistani rule, Islam was made the state’s official religion. But the Supreme Court or High Court of Bangladesh ruled that Bangladesh must return to the principles of the 1972 constitution, meaning that it mustn’t have an official religion.

The problem with Islam gaining too much power in Bangladesh is that it unbalances the genders issues. Islamic edicts or fatwas have been issued mostly against women by religious courts as punishments for their nonreligious behavior. Global NGO’s are fighting such edicts in order to maintain a fair judgment when it comes to men and women. Bangladesh is a country where gender issues, as well as religious issues are very sensitive subjects.

A survey conducted across India in 2024 found that over 57 percent of the respondents agreed that the scope of reservations should be expanded to both Hindus and Muslims in the Scheduled caste (SC) category in government jobs. 19 percent believed that only Hindus should be given reservations in the category.

Census: Population: by Religion: Muslim: Bihar: Male data was reported at 9,044,086.000 Person in 03-01-2011. This records an increase from the previous number of 7,061,908.000 Person for 03-01-2001. Census: Population: by Religion: Muslim: Bihar: Male data is updated decadal, averaging 8,052,997.000 Person from Mar 2001 (Median) to 03-01-2011, with 2 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 9,044,086.000 Person in 03-01-2011 and a record low of 7,061,908.000 Person in 03-01-2001. Census: Population: by Religion: Muslim: Bihar: Male data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Office of the Registrar General & Census Commissioner, India. The data is categorized under India Premium Database’s Demographic – Table IN.GAE003: Census: Population: by Religion: Muslim.

As of 2010, Christianity was the religion with the most followers worldwide, followed by Islam (Muslims) and Hinduism. In the forty years between 2010 and 2050, it is projected that the landscape of world religions will undergo some noticeable changes, with the number of Muslims almost catching up to Christians. The changes in population sizes of each religious group is largely dependent on demographic development, for example, the rise in the world's Christian population will largely be driven by population growth in Sub-Saharan Africa, while Muslim populations will rise across various regions of Africa and South Asia. As India's population is set to grow while China's goes into decline, this will be reflected in the fact that Hindus will outnumber the unaffiliated by 2050. In fact, India may be home to both the largest Hindu and Muslim populations in the world by the middle of this century.