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.

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. The basis of traditional religions was systematically exterminated in the religio-cultural life of the Nigerian people after their contact with colonialism. Approximately 90 percent of the Nigerian people have since preferred to be identified with either Islam or Christianity.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 the 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 the Roman and Catholic missionaries to the coastal areas of the Niger-Delta region, although there were few recorded converts and churches built during this period. Christianity soon recorded a boost in the southern region given its opposition to the slave trade and its promotion of Western education. In contrast to the smooth process Christian evangelization underwent in the South, its process in the North was difficult because Islam had already become well-established.Given the philosophy of Islam as a complete way of life for a Muslim, Islam has always been closely attached to politics in Nigeria. The emergence of particular Islamic groups was significantly influenced by international events, particularly the 1979 Iranian revolution and the corresponding disenchantment from the West. These developments shaped Nigerian national politics of the period as Muslims radically redefined their political interests in line with religion and began to clamor for the incorporation of the Sharia legal system into the country’s judicial system. Nigeria then tried to harness opportunities accruable from other Muslim countries by becoming a registered member with the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC) in 1985. This inflamed Christians and nurtured the fear of domination by their Muslim counterparts and the possibility of a gradual extinction of their religio-political strength in the national political structure. The distinct religious separation has also 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. 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

AREA_AFF - Geographic area affected by disease

DT_START - Date health event started

DT_END - Date health event ended

TYPE - Type of disease group

DISEASE - Name of disease

NUM_DTH - Number of people reported dead from disease

NUM_AFF - Number of people affected from disease

SOURCE_DT - Source creation date

SOURCE - Primary source

Collection

This HGIS was created using information collected from several websites. EM-DAT, the World Health Organization, and news reports provided information about the outbreaks.

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)

Egunganga, Vincent, Ami Sadiq, and Hir Joseph. All AfricaHIR JOSEPH, "Nigeria: Lassa Fever Returns Vicio." Last modified March 09, 2013. Accessed April 16, 2013. http://allafrica.com/.

EM DAT, "Country Database; Nigeria." Last modified March 2013. Accessed April 16, 2013. http://www.emdat.be/.

World Health Organization, "Global Health Observatory; Nigeria." Last modified 2012. Accessed April 16, 2013. http://www.who.int/en/.

Sources (Metadata)

Encyclopedia of the Nations, "Nigeria Country Specific Information." Last modified 2013. Accessed March 28, 2013. http://www.nationsencyclopedia.com.

Kates, Jennifer, and Alyssa Wilson Leggoe. The Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation, "HIV/AIDS; The HIV/AIDS Epidemic in Nigeria." Last modified October 2005. Accessed April 16, 2013. http://www.kff.org/.

United States Embassy in Nigeria, "Nigeria Malaria Fact Sheet." Last modified December 2011. Accessed April 16, 2013. http://nigeria.usembassy.gov.

World Health Organization, "Global Task Force on Cholera Control." Last modified January 18, 2012. Accessed April 16, 2013. http://www.who.int/.

World Health Organization, "Meningococcal disease: situation in the African Meningitis Belt." Last modified 2012. Accessed March 14, 2013. http://www.who.int/csr/don/2012_05_24/en/index.html.

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.

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 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.

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 .

Snapshot img

Halal Food Market Size 2025-2029

The halal food market size is valued to increase USD 355 billion, at a CAGR of 3.6% from 2024 to 2029. Increasing consumer expenditure on halal food will drive the halal food market.

Major Market Trends & Insights

APAC dominated the market and accounted for a 51% growth during the forecast period.
By Product - Halal MPS segment was valued at USD 414.60 billion in 2023
By Distribution Channel - Offline segment accounted for the largest market revenue share in 2023

Market Size & Forecast

Market Opportunities: USD 38.88 billion
Market Future Opportunities: USD 355.00 billion
CAGR from 2024 to 2029 : 3.6%

Market Summary

The market, valued at USD 1.1 trillion in 2020, represents a significant and growing segment within the global food industry. Driven by the increasing global Muslim population and rising consumer awareness and preference for halal food, this market is poised for continued expansion. Organized retail, including supermarkets and hypermarkets, is a key growth area for the market. These channels offer convenience, variety, and reliability, addressing consumers' demand for authentic and certified halal food products. However, the market also faces challenges, such as the proliferation of fake halal food and food scams, which undermine trust and threaten the industry's reputation.
To meet the growing demand for halal food and combat the issue of counterfeit products, market players are investing in certification and traceability systems. These initiatives not only help ensure the authenticity and quality of halal food products but also provide consumers with peace of mind and confidence in their purchases. The market's future direction lies in innovation, sustainability, and digitalization. Companies are exploring new product categories, such as plant-based and organic halal food, to cater to evolving consumer preferences. Additionally, the adoption of technology, such as blockchain and Artificial Intelligence (AI), is enabling greater transparency and traceability throughout the supply chain, ensuring the integrity and safety of halal food products.
In conclusion, the market's growth is underpinned by demographic trends, consumer preferences, and the evolving retail landscape. While challenges, such as the prevalence of fake halal food, require attention, the market's future looks promising, with opportunities for innovation, sustainability, and digitalization.

What will be the Size of the Halal Food Market during the forecast period?

Get Key Insights on Market Forecast (PDF) Request Free Sample

How is the Halal Food Market Segmented ?

The halal food industry research 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

  Middle East and Africa

    Egypt
    South Africa
    UAE


  APAC

    Australia
    China
    India
    Japan
    South Korea


  Rest of World (ROW)

By Product Insights

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

The market, a significant and continually evolving sector, encompasses a range of products derived from halal-certified sources, primarily including beef, lamb, goat, chicken, Turkey, and fish. This market is divided into three main categories: fresh halal meat, poultry, and seafood (Minimal Processed Shelf-Stable, or MPS); minimally processed halal MPS, which excludes artificial additives or colorings and preserves the product's natural characteristics; and heavily processed halal MPS, which includes halal sausages, salami, corned beef, minute steak, Canned Meat, poultry, and seafood, and frozen meat, poultry, and seafood. Strict adherence to Islamic dietary guidelines is ensured through rigorous ingredient authenticity testing, slaughterhouse hygiene protocols, and supply chain traceability.

Request Free Sample

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

Religious compliance audits, process control systems, and microbial contamination control measures are implemented to maintain consumer confidence. The market prioritizes cleanliness and sanitation, adhering to international halal standards and food safety regulations. Product labeling regulations, packaging material compliance, and consumer protection measures are also crucial. Animal welfare standards, quality control procedures, and product lifecycle management are essential aspects of the halal food industry, with Waste Management strategies and ethical meat production further enhancing its sustainability. Approx

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.

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 .