In 2024, Nigeria had the largest Muslim population in Africa, with around 105 million people who belonged to an Islamic denomination. Egypt and Algeria followed with 90.4 million and 39.4 million Muslims, respectively. Muslims have a significant presence in Africa, with an estimated 50 percent of the continent's population identifying as Muslim. The spread of Islam in Africa began in the 7th century with the arrival of Arab traders, and it continued through Islamic scholars and missionaries.

According to estimations from 2018, Nigeria's major religion is Islam. Over half of the population is estimated to be Muslim. Christian religions make up around 45 percent of the total, with Roman Catholicism being the main branch.

In 2024, Nigeria accounted for 7.08 percent of the global Muslim population, the highest share among African countries. Egypt and Algeria followed, with shares of 6.12 percent and 2.67 percent, respectively. Islam has a significant presence in Africa, with an estimated 50 percent of the continent's population identifying as Muslim. The spread of Islam in Africa began in the 7th century with the arrival of Arab traders, and later continued through Islamic scholars and missionaries.

Nigeria: Sunni Muslims as percent of the total population: The latest value from is percent, unavailable from percent in . In comparison, the world average is 0.0 percent, based on data from countries. Historically, the average for Nigeria from to is percent. The minimum value, percent, was reached in while the maximum of percent was recorded in .

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.

Islam and Christianity form the two dominant religions in Nigeria. Since colonialism, approximately 90 percent of the Nigerian people identify themselves as Islamic or Christian. The northern region of Nigeria is predominately Islamic, while the southern region is predominately Christian.

Nigeria’s contact with Islam predated that of Christianity and European colonialism; its spread was facilitated into Sub-Saharan Africa through trade and commerce. The northern part of Nigeria is symbolic to the history of Islam, as it penetrated the area through the Kanem-Borno Empire in the 11th century before spreading to other predominately Hausa states. Islam was then introduced into the traditional societies of the Yoruba-speaking people of south-west Nigeria through their established commercial relationship with people of the north, particularly the Nupe and Fulani.

Christianity reached Nigeria in the 15th century with the visitation of Catholic missionaries to the coastal areas of the Niger-Delta region. Christianity soon recorded a boost in the southern region given its opposition to the slave trade and its promotion of Western education.

The distinct religious divide has instigated violence in present-day Nigeria, including the Sharia riot in Kaduna in 2000, ongoing ethno-religious violence in Jos since 2001, and the 2011 post-election violence that erupted in some northern states, particularly in the city of Maiduguri. Nigerians’ continued loyalty to religion compared to that of the country continues to sustain major political debate, conflict, and violent outbreaks between populations of the two faiths.

ISO3-International Organization for Standardization 3-digit country code

NAME-Name of religious institution

TYPE-Type of religious institution

CITY-City religious institution is located in

SPA_ACC-Spatial accuracy of site location 1- high, 2 – medium, 3 - low

SOURCE_DT-Source creation date

SOURCE-Primary source

SOURCE2_DT-Secondary source creation date

SOURCE2-Secondary source

Collection

This HGIS was created using information collected from the web sites GCatholic.org, Islamic Finder, Wikimapia, and BBBike.org, which uses OpenStreetMap, a crowd-source collaboration project that geo-locates sites throughout the world. After collection, all education institutions were geo-located.

The data included herein have not been derived from a registered survey and should be considered approximate unless otherwise defined. While rigorous steps have been taken to ensure the quality of each dataset, DigitalGlobe Analytics is not responsible for the accuracy and completeness of data compiled from outside sources.

Sources (HGIS)

BBBike, "Nigeria." Last modified 2013. Accessed March 19, 2013. http://extract.bbbike.org.

GCatholic.org, "Catholic Churches in Federal Republic of Nigeria." Last modified 2013. Accessed April 4, 2013. http://www.gcatholic.org/.

Islamic Finder, "Nigeria." Last modified 2013. Accessed April 4, 2013. http://islamicfinder.org/.

Olanrewaju, Timothy. The Sun, "oko Haram attacks church in Maiduguri." Last modified 2013. Accessed April 9, 2013. http://sunnewsonline.com/.

Wikimapia, "Nigeria:Mosques/Churches." Last modified 2013. Accessed April 4, 2013. http://wikimapia.org/

World Watch Monitor, "Muslim Threat to Attack Church Raises Tensions." Last modified 2012. Accessed April 9, 2013. http://www.worldwatchmonitor.org/.

Sources (Metadata)

Danjibo, N.D. "Islamic Fundamentalism and Sectarian Violence: The "Maitatsine" and "Boko Haram" Crises in Northern Nigeria." manuscript., University of Ibadan, 2010. http://www.ifra-nigeria.org.

Olanrewaju, Timothy. The Sun, "oko Haram attacks church in Maiduguri." Last modified 2013. Accessed April 9, 2013. http://sunnewsonline.com/.

Onapajo, Hakeem. "Politics for God: Religion, Politics, and Conflict in Democratic Nigeria." Journal of Pan African Studies. 4. no. 9 (2012): 42-66. http://web.ebscohost.com (accessed March 26, 2013).

World Watch Monitor, "Muslim Threat to Attack Church Raises Tensions." Last modified 2012. Accessed April 9, 2013. http://www.worldwatchmonitor.org/.

Nigeria: Shia Muslims as percent of the total population: The latest value from is percent, unavailable from percent in . In comparison, the world average is 0.0 percent, based on data from countries. Historically, the average for Nigeria from to is percent. The minimum value, percent, was reached in while the maximum of percent was recorded in .

In 2020, around **** percent of the Iranian population identified as Muslim. Around ** 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 ** 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 ***** 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 2024, Ethiopia had the largest Christian population in Africa, with around 77.5 million people who identified as Christian. The second highest Christian population was in Nigeria, with 74.4 million people. Christianity has a significant presence in Africa, with its history on the continent dating back to the fourth century in Ethiopia. Furthermore, Christianity has spread throughout Africa with different denominations and traditions, taking root in various regions. Some of the largest Christian denominations in Africa include the Roman Catholic Church, the Anglican Church, and the Pentecostal and Charismatic movements.

Christianity is the major religion in numerous African countries. As of 2024, around 96 percent of the population of Zambia was Christian, representing the highest percentage on the continent. Seychelles and Rwanda followed with roughly 95 percent and 94 percent of the population being Christian, respectively. While these countries present the highest percentages, Christianity was also prevalent in many other African nations. For instance, in South Africa, Christianity was the religion of nearly 85 percent of the people, while the share corresponded to 71 percent in Ghana. Religious variations across Africa Christianity and Islam are the most practiced religions in Africa. Christian adherents are prevalent below the Sahara, while North Africa is predominantly Muslim. In 2020, Christians accounted for around 60 percent of the Sub-Saharan African population, followed by Muslims with a share of roughly 30 percent. In absolute terms, there were approximately 650 million Christians in the region, a number forecast to increase to over one billion by 2050. In contrast, Islam is most prevalent in North Africa, being the religion of over 90 percent of the population in Algeria, Morocco, Tunisia, and Libya. Christianity in the world As opposed to other religions, Christianity is widely spread across continents worldwide. In fact, Sub-Saharan Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean, and Europe each account for around 25 percent of the global Christian population. By comparison, Asia-Pacific and North America make up 13 percent and 12 percent of Christians worldwide, respectively. In several regions, Christians also suffer persecution on religious grounds. Somalia and Libya presented the most critical situation in Africa in 2021, reporting the strongest suppression of Christians worldwide just after North Korea and Afghanistan.

Nigéria: Sunni Muslims as percent of the total population: Pour cet indicateur, The Cline Center for Democracy fournit des données pour la Nigéria de à . La valeur moyenne pour Nigéria pendant cette période était de pour cent avec un minimum de pour cent en et un maximum de pour cent en .

Nigéria: Shia Muslims as percent of the total population: Pour cet indicateur, The Cline Center for Democracy fournit des données pour la Nigéria de à . La valeur moyenne pour Nigéria pendant cette période était de pour cent avec un minimum de pour cent en et un maximum de pour cent en .

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Halal Food Market Size 2025-2029

The halal food market size is forecast to increase by USD 355 billion, at a CAGR of 3.6% between 2024 and 2029.

The market exhibits significant growth, driven by increasing consumer expenditure on halal food and the expansion of the organized retail sector. However, challenges persist, including the threat of counterfeit halal food and food scams. This trend is particularly relevant to various sectors such as dairy food, pork-free alternatives, cosmetic products, waxes, seafood, fruits and vegetables, and confectionery. Consumers' growing awareness and demand for authentic halal products necessitate stringent regulations and certification processes. This market analysis report provides a comprehensive evaluation of these factors and their impact on the halal food industry.

What will be the Size of the Halal Food Market During the Forecast Period?

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The market, a significant segment of the global food industry, caters to consumers adhering to Islamic dietary laws. These laws prohibit the consumption of pork and alcohol, as well as foods contaminated with non-permissible substances. The market's growth is driven by the increasing global Muslim population and the rising demand for certified Halal products. Halal certification, ensuring compliance with Islamic law, is a critical factor influencing consumer purchasing decisions. Manufacturers produce a diverse range of products, including fruits and vegetables, dairy products, cereals and grains, confectionery, and meat. 
Traditional retailers, supermarkets and hypermarkets, and online retailers play crucial roles in the food supply chain, catering to the evolving preferences of Muslim buyers. The industry encompasses various sectors, including meat sales and grocery stores. Innovation continues to shape the market, with the introduction of plant-based alternatives, such as sunflower protein burgers, gaining popularity among consumers seeking ethical and sustainable food options. The market's future direction reflects the ongoing trend towards cleanliness, transparency, and convenience, as well as the growing demand for Halal-certified products in various food categories.

How is this Halal Food Industry segmented and which is the largest segment?

The report provides comprehensive data (region-wise segment analysis), with forecasts and estimates in 'USD billion' for the period 2025-2029, as well as historical data from 2019-2023 for the following segments.

Product

  Halal MPS
  Halal BCC
  Halal FVN
  Halal beverages
  Others


Distribution Channel

  Offline
  Online


Type

  Organic
  Inorganic


Geography

  APAC

    China
    India
    Japan
    South Korea


  Middle East and Africa

    South Africa
    Egypt
    Nigeria


  Europe



  South America



  North America

By Product Insights

The halal MPS segment is estimated to witness significant growth during the forecast period.

The market encompasses a range of food products that adhere to Islamic dietary laws, primarily consisting of beef, lamb, goat, chicken, Turkey, and fish. This market can be segmented into fresh halal meat, poultry, and seafood (MPS); minimally processed halal MPS; and heavily processed halal MPS. Minimally processed halal MPS products maintain their natural characteristics, free from artificial additives or color. Heavily processed halal MPS include halal sausages, salami, corned beef, canned meat, poultry, and seafood, and frozen meat, poultry, and seafood. Halal certification ensures compliance with Islamic law, prohibiting the consumption of pork, alcohol, and non-permissible foods. Food manufacturers prioritize cleanliness, impurities, quality, and taste level to cater to Muslim buyers.

Halal certification is essential for meat, poultry, and seafood, as well as dairy products, cereals and grains, confectionery, and traditional retailers. Supermarkets and hypermarkets, online retailers, and food supply chain players offer a wide range of halal-certified products. Halal cuisine is a significant part of religious identity, emphasizing meals safety, hygiene, reliability, and nutritional benefits. Products include own-brand halal-ready meals, chicken arrabbiata, chicken hotpot, chicken jalfrezi, and chicken tikka masala, as well as meat and plant-based alternatives, such as sunflower protein, fava beans, and peas.

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The halal MPS segment was valued at USD 414.60 billion in 2019 and showed a gradual increase during the forecast period.

Regional Analysis

APAC is estimated to contribute 51% to the growth of the global market during the forecast period.

Technavio's analysts have elaborately explained the regional trends and drivers that shape the market during the forecast period.

For more insights on the market size o

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.