According to a survey conducted by India's fifth National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5) in 2021 stated that about 36 percent of Christian men consumed alcohol in India. In contrast, over six percent of Muslim men consumed alcohol.

This statistic shows the religious affiliation of the population in India as of 2011. In 2011, 79.8 percent of the total Indian population were Hindu.

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.

A survey conducted across India in 2024 found that ** percent of Hindu population and ** percent of minorities agree that India belongs to all religions equally. The survey reflects citizens' faith in the secular and pluralistic fabric of the country.

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.

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.

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.

Religious Tourism Market Outlook

The global religious tourism market was valued at approximately $18 billion in 2023 and is projected to reach $30 billion by 2032, growing at a CAGR of 5.7%. This growth is fueled by an increasing interest in cultural and religious heritage, as well as the expanding accessibility of remote sacred sites through improved transport infrastructure. Factors such as rising disposable incomes and the growing popularity of spiritually enriching experiences are also contributing to the market's expansion. The market's dynamic nature and the blend of travel with spiritual exploration have created a unique niche that appeals to a broad demographic, offering a variety of experiences that transcend traditional tourist activities.

A significant growth factor in the religious tourism market is the global increase in spiritual and religious awareness. Many individuals are seeking deeper connections with their faiths and are opting for travel as a means to explore their spirituality. This trend is particularly prevalent among younger generations who are interested in understanding diverse cultures and religious practices. The rise of social media and digital platforms has further facilitated the exchange of information about spiritual destinations, inspiring more people to embark on religious journeys. With more communities opening their doors to visitors, religious tourism is providing opportunities for cultural exchange and understanding, contributing to its growth.

Another driving force for the market is the expanding accessibility of pilgrimage sites and religious destinations. Advances in transportation infrastructure, such as better road networks and affordable air travel, have made it easier for individuals to reach remote and sacred locations. Governments and private sectors are investing in infrastructure development to promote tourism, including religious tourism, as a means to boost their economies. Additionally, the introduction of virtual religious tours during the COVID-19 pandemic has maintained interest in religious sites, allowing potential tourists to plan future pilgrimages. This blend of physical and virtual accessibility is opening new avenues for growth in the religious tourism sector.

The demographic shift towards an aging population, particularly in developed countries, is also playing a crucial role in the market's growth. Seniors are increasingly looking to fulfill lifelong spiritual journeys, and religious tourism provides a structured way to undertake such travels. Tour operators are recognizing this trend and are tailoring packages to meet the needs of older travelers, ensuring comfortable and secure travel experiences. Coupled with health and wellness tourism, religious tourism appeals to this demographic seeking both spiritual fulfillment and relaxation. As the population ages, the demand for religious tourism is expected to continue its upward trajectory.

Regionally, the Asia Pacific dominates the religious tourism market, driven by the presence of numerous world-renowned religious sites such as those in India, China, and Southeast Asia. The region's rich cultural and religious diversity attracts millions of pilgrims and tourists annually. North America and Europe also hold substantial market shares, thanks to their historical religious landmarks and well-developed tourism infrastructure. The Middle East & Africa region, home to key religious sites and a rising focus on tourism, is anticipated to witness significant growth, further bolstered by the region's strategic initiatives to diversify their economies beyond oil. Each region presents unique opportunities and challenges, shaping the global landscape of religious tourism.

Type Analysis

Religious tourism can be categorized into several types, including pilgrimages, missionary travel, religious conferences, and others. Pilgrimages represent a substantial segment of the market, as they are deeply rooted in many religious beliefs and practices, drawing millions of adherents each year. The historical and spiritual significance of pilgrimage sites often leads to both personal reflection and community building. This segment is particularly popular in regions with rich religious traditions, such as the Middle East, India, and parts of Europe. Advances in infrastructure and increased safety measures have made these journeys more accessible and appealing, further boosting this segment's growth.

Missionary travel constitutes another essential portion of the religious tourism market, although it operates somewhat differently than other types

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.

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.

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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

Christianity was the largest religion in a high number of the countries included in the survey. Of the countries, Peru, South Africa, and Poland had the highest share of Christians at around 75 percent. Moreover, around 90 percent in India and Thailand stated that they believed in another religion, with Hinduism and Buddhism being the major religion in the two countries respectively. Sweden and South Korea were the only two countries where 50 percent or more of the respondents stated that they did not have any religious beliefs.

Sikhism is a religion that originated on the Indian subcontinent during the fifteenth century. Sikhs follow the teachings of 'gurus', who descend from the first guru Guru Naruk who established the faith. Followers of Sikhism are monotheists, believing in only one god, and other core beliefs include the need to meditate, the importance of community and communal living, and the need to serve humanity selflessly (or 'seva'). Sikhism and the British Empire In total, there are around 26 million Sikhs worldwide, and over 24 million of these live in India. Outside of India, the largest Sikh populations are mostly found in former territories of the British Empire - the UK and Canada both have Sikh populations of over half a million people. Migration from India to other parts of the British Empire was high in the 19th century, due to the labor demands of relatively newer colonies, as well as those where slavery had been abolished. These countries also remain popular destinations for Sikh migrants today, as many are highly trained and English-speaking. Other regions with significant Sikh populations Italy also has a sizeable Sikh population, as many migrated there after serving there in the British Army during WWI, and they are now heavily represented in Italy's dairy industry. The Sikh population of Saudi Arabia is also reflective of the fact that the largest Indian diaspora in the world can now be found in the Middle East - this is due to the labor demands of the fossil fuel industries and their associated secondary industries, although a large share of Indians in this part of the world are there on a temporary basis.

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 statistic shows the total population of India from 2019 to 2029. In 2023, the estimated total population in India amounted to approximately 1.43 billion people.

Total population in India

India currently has the second-largest population in the world and is projected to overtake top-ranking China within forty years. Its residents comprise more than one-seventh of the entire world’s population, and despite a slowly decreasing fertility rate (which still exceeds the replacement rate and keeps the median age of the population relatively low), an increasing life expectancy adds to an expanding population. In comparison with other countries whose populations are decreasing, such as Japan, India has a relatively small share of aged population, which indicates the probability of lower death rates and higher retention of the existing population.

With a land mass of less than half that of the United States and a population almost four times greater, India has recognized potential problems of its growing population. Government attempts to implement family planning programs have achieved varying degrees of success. Initiatives such as sterilization programs in the 1970s have been blamed for creating general antipathy to family planning, but the combined efforts of various family planning and contraception programs have helped halve fertility rates since the 1960s. The population growth rate has correspondingly shrunk as well, but has not yet reached less than one percent growth per year.

As home to thousands of ethnic groups, hundreds of languages, and numerous religions, a cohesive and broadly-supported effort to reduce population growth is difficult to create. Despite that, India is one country to watch in coming years. It is also a growing economic power; among other measures, its GDP per capita was expected to triple between 2003 and 2013 and was listed as the third-ranked country for its share of the global gross domestic product.

More than *** million people of the Hindu faith gather every 12 years in India for the Maha Kumbh Mela festival. In contrast, the annual Hajj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia gathered about ***** million Muslims in 2018.

In 2024, almost ******* Indians proceeded to Hajj, the Islamic pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia. This was a slight increase compared to the previous year. Furthermore, until 1994 Hajj pilgrims travelled by ship and air. Later, air was the dominant means of transport for Indian Hajj pilgrims.

In 1800, the population of the region of present-day India was approximately 169 million. The population would grow gradually throughout the 19th century, rising to over 240 million by 1900. Population growth would begin to increase in the 1920s, as a result of falling mortality rates, due to improvements in health, sanitation and infrastructure. However, the population of India would see it’s largest rate of growth in the years following the country’s independence from the British Empire in 1948, where the population would rise from 358 million to over one billion by the turn of the century, making India the second country to pass the billion person milestone. While the rate of growth has slowed somewhat as India begins a demographics shift, the country’s population has continued to grow dramatically throughout the 21st century, and in 2020, India is estimated to have a population of just under 1.4 billion, well over a billion more people than one century previously. Today, approximately 18% of the Earth’s population lives in India, and it is estimated that India will overtake China to become the most populous country in the world within the next five years.

In 1800, the population of the area of modern-day Bangladesh was estimated to be just over 19 million, a figure which would rise steadily throughout the 19th century, reaching over 26 million by 1900. At the time, Bangladesh was the eastern part of the Bengal region in the British Raj, and had the most-concentrated Muslim population in the subcontinent's east. At the turn of the 20th century, the British colonial administration believed that east Bengal was economically lagging behind the west, and Bengal was partitioned in 1905 as a means of improving the region's development. East Bengal then became the only Muslim-majority state in the eastern Raj, which led to socioeconomic tensions between the Hindu upper classes and the general population. Bengal Famine During the Second World War, over 2.5 million men from across the British Raj enlisted in the British Army and their involvement was fundamental to the war effort. The war, however, had devastating consequences for the Bengal region, as the famine of 1943-1944 resulted in the deaths of up to three million people (with over two thirds thought to have been in the east) due to starvation and malnutrition-related disease. As the population boomed in the 1930s, East Bengal's mismanaged and underdeveloped agricultural sector could not sustain this growth; by 1942, food shortages spread across the region, millions began migrating in search of food and work, and colonial mismanagement exacerbated this further. On the brink of famine in early-1943, authorities in India called for aid and permission to redirect their own resources from the war effort to combat the famine, however these were mostly rejected by authorities in London. While the exact extent of each of these factors on causing the famine remains a topic of debate, the general consensus is that the British War Cabinet's refusal to send food or aid was the most decisive. Food shortages did not dissipate until late 1943, however famine deaths persisted for another year. Partition to independence Following the war, the movement for Indian independence reached its final stages as the process of British decolonization began. Unrest between the Raj's Muslim and Hindu populations led to the creation of two separate states in1947; the Muslim-majority regions became East Pakistan (now Bangladesh) and West Pakistan (now Pakistan), separated by the Hindu-majority India. Although East Pakistan's population was larger, power lay with the military in the west, and authorities grew increasingly suppressive and neglectful of the eastern province in the following years. This reached a tipping point when authorities failed to respond adequately to the Bhola cyclone in 1970, which claimed over half a million lives in the Bengal region, and again when they failed to respect the results of the 1970 election, in which the Bengal party Awami League won the majority of seats. Bangladeshi independence was claimed the following March, leading to a brutal war between East and West Pakistan that claimed between 1.5 and three million deaths in just nine months. The war also saw over half of the country displaced, widespread atrocities, and the systematic rape of hundreds of thousands of women. As the war spilled over into India, their forces joined on the side of Bangladesh, and Pakistan was defeated two weeks later. An additional famine in 1974 claimed the lives of several hundred thousand people, meaning that the early 1970s was one of the most devastating periods in the country's history. Independent Bangladesh In the first decades of independence, Bangladesh's political hierarchy was particularly unstable and two of its presidents were assassinated in military coups. Since transitioning to parliamentary democracy in the 1990s, things have become comparatively stable, although political turmoil, violence, and corruption are persistent challenges. As Bangladesh continues to modernize and industrialize, living standards have increased and individual wealth has risen. Service industries have emerged to facilitate the demands of Bangladesh's developing economy, while manufacturing industries, particularly textiles, remain strong. Declining fertility rates have seen natural population growth fall in recent years, although the influx of Myanmar's Rohingya population due to the displacement crisis has seen upwards of one million refugees arrive in the country since 2017. In 2020, it is estimated that Bangladesh has a population of approximately 165 million people.

As of June 2024, the population of Indian Singaporeans between the ages of 40 to 44 years stood at approximately ******. Singapore is a multi-ethnic and multi-religious society. Residents are categorized under four different ethnic groups under the CMIO rubric: Chinese, Malay, Indian and Other ethnicities.