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.

The average for 2013 based on 46 countries was 43.9 percent. The highest value was in Algeria: 100 percent and the lowest value was in Angola: 0 percent. The indicator is available from 1960 to 2013. Below is a chart for all countries where data are available.

In 2020, around 28.8 percent of the global population were identified as Christian. Around 25.6 percent of the global population identify as Muslims, followed by 14.9 percent of global populations as Hindu. The number of Muslims increased by 347 million, when compared to 2010 data, more than all other religions combined.

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.

Dataset

This dataset was created by Ifeanyichukwu Nwobodo

Contents

Associated with manuscript titled: Fifty Muslim-majority countries have fewer COVID-19 cases and deaths than the 50 richest non-Muslim countriesThe objective of this research was to determine the difference in the total number of COVID-19 cases and deaths between Muslim-majority and non-Muslim countries, and investigate reasons for the disparities. Methods: The 50 Muslim-majority countries had more than 50.0% Muslims with an average of 87.5%. The non-Muslim country sample consisted of 50 countries with the highest GDP while omitting any Muslim-majority countries listed. The non-Muslim countries’ average percentage of Muslims was 4.7%. Data pulled on September 18, 2020 included the percentage of Muslim population per country by World Population Review15 and GDP per country, population count, and total number of COVID-19 cases and deaths by Worldometers.16 The data set was transferred via an Excel spreadsheet on September 23, 2020 and analyzed. To measure COVID-19’s incidence in the countries, three different Average Treatment Methods (ATE) were used to validate the results. Results published as a preprint at https://doi.org/10.31235/osf.io/84zq5(15) Muslim Majority Countries 2020 [Internet]. Walnut (CA): World Population Review. 2020- [Cited 2020 Sept 28]. Available from: http://worldpopulationreview.com/country-rankings/muslim-majority-countries (16) Worldometers.info. Worldometer. Dover (DE): Worldometer; 2020 [cited 2020 Sept 28]. Available from: http://worldometers.info

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.

Religious Populations Worldwide

Religious Populations Worldwide by Year and Category

By Throwback Thursday [source]

About this dataset

The dataset includes data on Christianity, Islam, Judaism, Buddhism, Hinduism, Sikhism, Shintoism, Baha'i Faith, Taoism, Confucianism, Jainism and various other syncretic and animist religions. For each religion or denomination category, it provides both the total population count and the percentage representation in relation to the overall population.

Additionally, - Columns labeled with Population provide numeric values representing the total number of individuals belonging to a particular religion or denomination. - Columns labeled with Percent represent numerical values indicating the percentage of individuals belonging to a specific religion or denomination within a given population. - Columns that begin with ** indicate primary categories (e.g., Christianity), while columns that do not have this prefix refer to subcategories (e.g., Christianity - Roman Catholics).

In addition to providing precise data about specific religions or denominations globally throughout multiple years,this dataset also records information about geographical locations by including state or country names under StateNme.

This comprehensive dataset is valuable for researchers seeking information on global religious trends and can be used for analysis in fields such as sociology, anthropology studies cultural studies among others

How to use the dataset

Introduction:

• Understanding the Columns:

• Year: Represents the year in which the data was recorded.

• StateNme: Represents the name of the state or country for which data is recorded.

• Population: Represents the total population of individuals.

• Total Religious: Represents the total percentage and population of individuals who identify as religious, regardless of specific religion.

• Non Religious: Represents the percentage and population of individuals who identify as non-religious or atheists.

• Identifying Specific Religions: The dataset includes columns for different religions such as Christianity, Judaism, Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism, etc. Each religion is further categorized into specific denominations or types within that religion (e.g., Roman Catholics within Christianity). You can find relevant information about these religions by focusing on specific columns related to each one.

• Analyzing Percentages vs. Population: Some columns provide percentages while others provide actual population numbers for each category. Depending on your analysis requirement, you can choose either column type for your calculations and comparisons.

• Accessing Historical Data: The dataset includes records from multiple years allowing you to analyze trends in religious populations over time. You can filter data based on specific years using Excel filters or programming languages like Python.

• Filtering Data by State/Country: If you are interested in understanding religious populations in a particular state or country, use filters to focus on that region's data only.

Example - Extracting Information:

Let's say you want to analyze Hinduism's growth globally from 2000 onwards:

• Identify Relevant Columns:
• Year: to filter data from 2000 onwards.

• Hindu - Total (Percent): to analyze the percentage of individuals identifying as Hindus globally.

• Filter Data:

• Set a filter on the Year column and select values greater than or equal to 2000.

• Look for rows where Hindu - Total (Percent) has values.

• Analyze Results: You can now visualize and calculate the growth of Hinduism worldwide after filtering out irrelevant data. Use statistical methods or graphical representations like line charts to understand trends over time.

Conclusion: This guide has provided you with an overview of how to use the Rel

Research Ideas

• Comparing religious populations across different countries: With data available for different states and countries, this dataset allows for comparisons of religious populations across regions. Researchers can analyze how different religions are distributed geographically and compare their percentages or total populations across various locations.
• Studying the impact of historical events on religious demographics: Since the dataset includes records categorized by year, it can be used to study how historical events such as wars, migration, or political changes have influenced religious demographics over time. By comparing population numbers before and after specific events, resea...

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.

Global Religious Demographics

Global religious demographics over time

By Throwback Thursday [source]

About this dataset

The dataset contains information on a wide range of religions, including Christianity, Judaism, Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism, Sikhism, Shintoism, Baha'i Faith, Taoism, Confucianism, Jainism, Zoroastrianism, Syncretic Religions (religious practices that blend elements from multiple faiths), Animism (belief in spiritual beings in nature), Non-Religious individuals or those without any religious affiliation.

For each religion and region/country combination recorded in the dataset we have the following information:

• Total population: The total population of the region or country.
• Religious affiliation percentages: The percentages of the population that identify with specific religious affiliations.
• Subgroup populations/percentages: The populations or percentages within specific denominations or sects of each religion.

The dataset also provides additional variables like Year and State Name (for regional data) for further analysis.

How to use the dataset

• Understanding the Columns

  The dataset contains several columns with different categories of information. Here's a brief explanation of some important columns:

  • Year: The year in which the data was recorded.
  • Total Population: The total population of a country or region.
  • State Name (StateNme): The name of the state or region.

  Each religion has specific columns associated with it, such as Christianity, Buddhism, Islam, Hinduism, Judaism, Taoism, Shintoism etc., representing its percentage and population for each category/denomination within that religion.

• Selecting Specific Data

  If you are interested in exploring data related to a particular religion or geographic location:

  • To filter data by Religion: Identify relevant columns associated with that religion such as 'Christianity', 'Buddhism', 'Islam', etc., and extract their respective percentage and population values for analysis.

    Example: If you want to analyze Christianity specifically, extract columns related to Christianity like 'Christianity (Percent)', 'Christianity (Population)', etc.

    Note: There might be multiple columns related to a specific religion indicating different categories or denominations within that religion.

  • To filter data by Geographic Location: Utilize the 'State Name' column ('StateNme') to segregate data corresponding to different states/regions.

    Example: If you want to analyze religious demographics for a particular state/region like California or India:

    i) Filter out rows where State Name is equal to California or India.

    ii) Extract relevant columns associated with your selected religion as mentioned above.

• Finding Trends and Insights

  Once you have selected the specific data you are interested in, examine patterns and trends over time or across different regions.

  • Plotting data using visualizations: Use graphical tools such as line charts, bar charts, or pie charts to visualize how religious demographics have changed over the years or vary across different regions.

  • Analyzing population proportions: By comparing the percentage values of different religions for a given region or over time, you can gather insights into changes in religious diversity.

• Comparing Religions

  If you wish to compare multiple religions:

Research Ideas

• Comparing religious affiliations across different countries or regions: With data on various religions such as Christianity, Islam, Buddhism, Judaism, Hinduism, etc., researchers can compare the religious affiliations of different countries or regions. This can help in understanding the cultural and religious diversity within different parts of the world.
• Exploring the growth or decline of specific religions: By examining population numbers for specific religions such as Jainism, Taoism, Zoroastrianism, etc., this dataset can be used to investigate the growth or decline of these religious groups over time. Researchers can analyze factors contributing to their popularity or decline in particular regions or countries

Acknowledgements

If you use this dataset in your research, please credit the original authors. Data Source

License

See the dataset description for more information.

Columns

File: ThrowbackDataThursday 201912 - Religion.csv | Column name...

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.

In 2021, Muslims around the world spent a total of *** trillion U.S. dollars across the food, pharmaceutical, cosmetics, fashion, travel, and media/recreation sectors. The global Muslim market has the potential to grow to about *** trillion dollars by 2025. The largest market for Muslim consumers is the halal food and beverage sector.

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.

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.

According to Cognitive Market Research, the global Halal market was USD 2151.5 million in 2024 and expand at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.8% from 2024 to 2031.

North America held the major market of more than 40% of the global revenue with a market size of USD 860.60 million in 2024 and will expand at CAGR or a compound annual growth rate of 4% from 2024 to 2031.
Europe accounted for a share of over 30% of the global market size of USD 645.45 million.
Asia Pacific held the market of around 23% of the global revenue with a market size of USD 494.85 million in 2024 and will expand at CAGR or compound annual growth rate of 7.8% from 2024 to 2031.
Latin America's market will have more than 4% of the global revenue with a market size of USD 107.58 million in 2024 and will expand at CAGR or a compound annual growth rate of 5.2% from 2024 to 2031.
Middle East and Africa held the major market of around 2% of the global revenue with a market size of USD 43.03 million in 2024 and will expand at CAGR or compound annual growth rate of 5.5% from 2024 to 2031.
The Food and Beverage segment held the highest Halal market revenue share in 2024.

Market Dynamics of Halal Market

Key Drivers of Halal Market

Growing Muslim Community to Increase the Demand Globally

One major factor propelling the halal food business is the exponential rise in the Muslim population worldwide. The need for halal-certified goods is growing along with the Muslim population. It is anticipated that the number of Muslims worldwide will increase by about 50% by 2050 to 2.76 billion people. This change in the population closely correlates with an increase in the demand for halal cuisine in several different geographical areas, including both Muslim-majority nations and those with sizeable Muslim minorities. The global Muslim population is growing, which is driving market development. The market is expected to grow due to Muslims' desire for halal-certified food due to initiatives promoting food safety and cleanliness.

Increasing Customer Consciousness to Propel Market Growth

Even among non-Muslim communities, consumer knowledge of halal dietary needs has increased. People are increasingly pickier about what they eat, expecting high-quality, ethically sourced goods and demanding openness in food production. Due to their association with high ethical and quality standards, halal-certified food items are becoming increasingly preferred due to this awareness. Demand for halal products in non-Muslim nations is rising as a result of non-Muslim customers' growing interest in halal cuisine due to its perceived health and safety benefits. The governments of several nations, with a majority of Muslims, are moving to encourage the expansion of the halal food sector. To become a worldwide leader in the halal industry, the Malaysian government, for example, established the Halal Industry Master Plan 2030.

Restraint Factors Of Halal Market

Insufficient Standardisation to Limit the Sales

A significant obstacle confronting the worldwide halal food industry is the need for uniformity in the certification procedure. Different nations' various halal certification processes can be confusing and hinder firms' efforts to enter new markets. Specific slaughter techniques may be mandated by certain nations, while handling and processing of halal goods may be subject to extra regulations in others. Furthermore, there needs to be more clarity on the ingredients that make up halal food, further impedes market expansion. For example, it sometimes needs to be clarified which ingredients are halal and which aren't. This and the usage of non-halal components in halal cuisine may need to be clarified for customers and producers.

Impact of COVID-19 on Halal Market

The interruption of the food supply chain brought on by the spread of COVID-19 has a detrimental effect on the global halal food business. Leading producers experienced workforce shortages and interruptions in the halal food import and export market, substantially impacting the food's suitability for consumption and sales. Concerns about safety and cleanliness during the epidemic also contributed to a decline in the market's demand for beef products. Moreover, COVID-19 has also influenced restaurant and food outlet closures. For example, the pandemic caused eateries and food outlets to close...

Census: Population: by Religion: Muslim: Haryana data was reported at 1,781,342.000 Person in 03-01-2011. This records an increase from the previous number of 1,222,916.000 Person for 03-01-2001. Census: Population: by Religion: Muslim: Haryana data is updated decadal, averaging 1,502,129.000 Person from Mar 2001 (Median) to 03-01-2011, with 2 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 1,781,342.000 Person in 03-01-2011 and a record low of 1,222,916.000 Person in 03-01-2001. Census: Population: by Religion: Muslim: Haryana 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: Gujarat: Female data was reported at 2,839,540.000 Person in 03-01-2011. This records an increase from the previous number of 2,222,022.000 Person for 03-01-2001. Census: Population: by Religion: Muslim: Gujarat: Female data is updated decadal, averaging 2,530,781.000 Person from Mar 2001 (Median) to 03-01-2011, with 2 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 2,839,540.000 Person in 03-01-2011 and a record low of 2,222,022.000 Person in 03-01-2001. Census: Population: by Religion: Muslim: Gujarat: 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.

Halal Food Certification Market size was valued at USD 618.63 Million in 2024 and is projected to reach USD 916.99 Million by 2032, growing at a CAGR of 5.78% from 2026 to 2032.Global Halal Food Certification Market OutlookThe demographic expansion of the global Muslim population serves as a pivotal factor driving the surge in demand for halal-certified food. With an estimated 1.9 billion Muslims globally, constituting approximately 24% of the world's population, the sheer magnitude of this demographic underscores its profound influence on the halal food market. According to data from the Pew Research Center, the global Muslim population is projected to increase by 70% between 2015 and 2060, rising from 1.8 billion to nearly 3 billion. The projections indicate sustained growth in the Muslim population, fueled by factors such as higher birth rates and increasing conversion rates in various regions.

Census: Population: by Religion: Muslim: Madhya Pradesh: Male data was reported at 2,454,832.000 Person in 03-01-2011. This records an increase from the previous number of 1,991,181.000 Person for 03-01-2001. Census: Population: by Religion: Muslim: Madhya Pradesh: Male data is updated decadal, averaging 2,223,006.500 Person from Mar 2001 (Median) to 03-01-2011, with 2 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 2,454,832.000 Person in 03-01-2011 and a record low of 1,991,181.000 Person in 03-01-2001. Census: Population: by Religion: Muslim: Madhya Pradesh: 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.

Halal Tourism Market Outlook

According to our latest research, the global halal tourism market size reached USD 255.4 billion in 2024, demonstrating robust expansion driven by increasing demand for travel experiences that accommodate Islamic principles. The market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 8.9% from 2025 to 2033, with the market size expected to reach USD 548.2 billion by 2033. This growth is primarily fueled by the rising disposable incomes of Muslim travelers, the proliferation of halal-friendly travel services, and growing awareness among travel operators about the unique needs of this demographic.

One of the most significant growth factors for the halal tourism market is the expanding Muslim population worldwide, which is estimated to surpass 2.2 billion by 2030. This burgeoning demographic not only represents a substantial segment of the global travel market but also exhibits a strong preference for travel experiences that align with their religious values. The demand for halal-compliant services, such as prayer facilities, halal food options, and gender-segregated recreational amenities, is prompting travel operators and destinations to adapt their offerings. Furthermore, the increasing number of Muslim-majority countries investing in tourism infrastructure, coupled with government-led initiatives to promote halal tourism, is accelerating market growth.

Another key driver is the digital transformation within the travel industry, which has made it significantly easier for Muslim travelers to access and book halal-friendly services. Online travel agencies (OTAs) and specialized booking platforms now offer detailed information on halal amenities, making the travel planning process more transparent and convenient. The proliferation of travel blogs, social media influencers, and review platforms that cater specifically to halal tourism has also played a pivotal role in raising awareness about destinations and services that cater to Islamic requirements. This digital shift not only enhances customer experience but also enables service providers to reach a broader, tech-savvy audience.

The evolving preferences of younger travelers, particularly millennials and Generation Z, are also shaping the future of the halal tourism market. These cohorts are more adventurous, digitally connected, and open to exploring new destinations, provided their religious needs are met. Their influence is prompting the tourism industry to innovate and diversify its offerings, from halal adventure tourism to wellness retreats and eco-friendly travel options. Moreover, the growing emphasis on personalized travel experiences, coupled with a strong focus on authenticity and cultural immersion, is driving demand for unique halal travel packages that go beyond traditional pilgrimage or family vacations.

From a regional perspective, Asia Pacific continues to dominate the halal tourism market, accounting for the largest share in 2024. This leadership is underpinned by the presence of major Muslim-majority countries such as Indonesia and Malaysia, both of which have invested heavily in positioning themselves as premier halal-friendly destinations. The Middle East, particularly the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, remains a key market due to its religious significance and luxury tourism offerings. Meanwhile, Europe and North America are witnessing steady growth, driven by increasing awareness and the rising number of Muslim travelers from both local and international communities. Latin America and Africa are emerging as new frontiers, with governments and private players recognizing the untapped potential of halal tourism in these regions.

Service Type Analysis

The service type segment in the halal tourism market encompasses accommodation, transportation, food & beverage, travel packages, and others, each playing a vital role in shaping the overall travel experience for Muslim tourists. Accommodation remains the cornerstone of halal tourism, with hotels and resorts increasingly adopting halal certification, offering prayer facilities, and ensuring the availability of halal food within their premises. The demand for halal-compliant accommodation has led to the emergence of exclusive halal hotel brands and the adaptation of mainstream hotel chains to cater to this segment. These establishments are not only focusing on religious requirements but also on providing luxury, comfort, and family-friendly environments, thereby broadening their ap