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.

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.

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 2023, it was estimated that approximately ** percent of the Indonesian population were Muslim, accounting for the highest share of Muslims in any Southeast Asian country. Indonesia also has the world's largest Muslim population, with an estimated *** million Muslims. Demographics of Indonesia The total population of Indonesia was estimated to reach around *** million in 2028. The median age of the population in the country was at an all-time high in 2020 and was projected to increase continuously until the end of the century. In 2020, the population density in Indonesia reached its highest value recorded at about ***** people per square kilometer. Shopping behavior during Ramadan in Indonesia Nearly all Muslims in Indonesia celebrated Ramadan in 2022. During the month of Ramadan, ** percent of Indonesian users utilized online applications to order food. Many Indonesians planned to shop online or offline during Ramadan, with around ** percent of online users planning to purchase fashion wear and accessories. Shopee was the most used app for shopping purposes during that period.

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.

The average for 2013 based on 27 countries was 12.7 percent. The highest value was in Turkey: 99 percent and the lowest value was in Belarus: 0 percent. The indicator is available from 1960 to 2013. Below is a chart for all countries where data are available.

This statistic shows the estimated number of Muslims living in different European countries as of 2016. Approximately **** million Muslims were estimated to live in France, the most of any country listed. Germany and the United Kingdom also have large muslim populations with **** million and **** million respectively.

The average for 2013 based on 18 countries was 52.9 percent. The highest value was in Jordan: 96 percent and the lowest value was in Iran: 9 percent. The indicator is available from 1960 to 2013. Below is a chart for all countries where data are available.

The average for 2013 based on 13 countries was 34.6 percent. The highest value was in Iran: 90 percent and the lowest value was in India: 3 percent. The indicator is available from 1960 to 2013. Below is a chart for all countries where data are available.

According to Cognitive Market Research, the global Islamic Financing market size was USD 2514.2 million in 2024 and will expand at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 10.50% from 2024 to 2031.

North America held the major market of more than 40% of the global revenue with a market size of USD 1005.68 million in 2024 and will grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.7% from 2024 to 2031.
Europe accounted for a share of over 30% of the global market size of USD 754.26 million.
Asia Pacific held the market of around 23% of the global revenue with a market size of USD 578.27 million in 2024 and will grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 12.5% from 2024 to 2031.
The Latin American market will account for more than 5% of global revenue and have a market size of USD 125.71 million in 2024. It will grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9.9% from 2024 to 2031.
The Middle East and Africa held the major markets, accounting for around 2% of the global revenue. The market was USD 50.28 million in 2024 and will grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 10.2% from 2024 to 2031.
The Individual held the highest Islamic Financing market revenue share in 2024.

Market Dynamics of Islamic Financing Market

Key Drivers of Islamic Financing Market

Growing Muslim Population to Increase the Demand Globally

The growing Muslim population globally is expected to significantly increase the demand for Islamic financial products and services in the coming years. With Muslims comprising a substantial portion of the world's population, estimated to reach nearly 30% by 2050 according to demographic projections, there is a natural market for Sharia-compliant banking and investment solutions. As incomes rise and financial literacy improves in Muslim-majority countries and beyond, more individuals and businesses are seeking financial services that align with their religious beliefs and ethical values. Moreover, the increasing affluence and urbanization among Muslim populations contribute to a greater demand for sophisticated financial products, including Islamic mortgages, savings accounts, and investment funds. This growing demand is wider than in Muslim-majority countries. Still, it extends to Muslim communities and individuals residing in non-Muslim-majority countries, as well as non-Muslims who are attracted to the ethical principles and risk-sharing mechanisms inherent in Islamic finance.

Economic Development in Muslim-majority Countries to Propel Market Growth

Economic development in Muslim-majority countries is poised to propel significant growth within the Islamic finance market. As these countries experience robust economic growth, driven by factors such as population growth, urbanization, and natural resource wealth, a corresponding demand for sophisticated financial services that comply with Islamic principles emerges. This demand stems from both individuals and businesses seeking ethical and Sharia-compliant financial solutions to meet their diverse needs. Moreover, the expanding middle class within these countries signifies an increasing appetite for diverse banking and investment products, including Islamic mortgages, savings accounts, and investment funds. As disposable incomes rise and financial literacy improves, more people are turning towards Islamic finance as a viable alternative to conventional banking, recognizing its alignment with their religious beliefs and ethical values.

Restraint Factors Of Islamic Financing Market

Limited Product Offering to Limit the Sales

The limited product offering within the Islamic finance market poses a significant challenge, potentially constraining sales and market growth. Compared to conventional banking, Islamic finance products and services are often more specialized and may only cover part of the spectrum of financial needs for individuals and businesses. This limited range of options can deter potential customers who require a broader array of financial solutions. One of the primary reasons for the limited product offering is the adherence to Sharia principles, which prohibit certain financial activities such as interest (riba) and speculative transactions (gharar). While Islamic finance emphasizes ethical and socially responsible investing, it also imposes constraints on product innovation and development, particularly in areas where conventional finance has more f...

In 2023, over ** percent of Indonesians declared themselves to be Muslim, followed by *** percent who were Christians. Indonesia has the largest Islamic population in the world and for this reason is often recognized as a Muslim nation. However, Indonesia is not a Muslim nation according to its constitution. The archipelago is a multifaith country and officially recognizes six religions – Islam, Protestantism, Catholicism, Buddhism, Hinduism, and Confucianism. Not all provinces in Indonesia are Muslim majority The spread of Islam in Indonesia began on the west side of the archipelago, where the main maritime trade routes were located. Until today, most of the Indonesian Muslim population are residing in Western and Central Indonesia, while the majority religion of several provinces in Eastern Indonesia, such as East Nusa Tenggara and Bali, is Christian and Hindu, respectively. Discrimination towards other beliefs in Indonesia The Indonesian constitution provides for freedom of religion. However, the Government Restrictions Index Score on religion in Indonesia is relatively high. Indonesians who practice unrecognized religions, including Indonesia’s indigenous or traditional belief systems, such as animism, dynamism, and totemism, face legal restrictions and discrimination. Indonesian law requires its citizens to put one of the recognized religions on their national identity cards, with some exceptions for indigenous religions. Although legally citizens may leave the section blank, atheism or agnosticism is considered uncommon in Indonesia.

Halal-Friendly Menu Implementation Market Outlook

According to our latest research, the Global Halal-Friendly Menu Implementation market size was valued at $22.7 billion in 2024 and is projected to reach $48.5 billion by 2033, expanding at a CAGR of 8.7% during 2024–2033. The primary driver for this robust expansion is the increasing demand for halal-certified offerings among both Muslim and non-Muslim consumers, driven by rising health consciousness, globalization of food cultures, and growing awareness of ethical food sourcing. As consumer preferences evolve and regulatory frameworks strengthen, businesses across the hospitality, food service, and retail sectors are rapidly adopting halal-friendly menu strategies to capture a broader market share and ensure compliance with global halal standards.

Regional Outlook

The Asia Pacific region currently holds the largest share of the Halal-Friendly Menu Implementation market, accounting for approximately 38% of the global market value in 2024. This dominance is attributed to the presence of the world’s largest Muslim populations in countries such as Indonesia, Malaysia, and India, where halal dietary laws are deeply embedded in daily life and culture. Governments in these countries have established stringent halal certification bodies and policies, ensuring consumer trust and fostering a mature ecosystem for halal menu offerings. Additionally, the proliferation of international tourism and the expansion of global food service chains have further solidified Asia Pacific’s leadership in this market. The region’s mature regulatory environment, coupled with a robust network of suppliers and distributors, continues to support sustained market growth and innovation in halal-friendly offerings.

The Middle East & Africa is emerging as the fastest-growing region in the Halal-Friendly Menu Implementation market, estimated to register a CAGR of 9.8% from 2024 to 2033. This rapid growth is underpinned by significant investments in hospitality and tourism infrastructure, particularly in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, where halal compliance is mandatory. Governments and private enterprises are actively promoting halal tourism and culinary experiences, attracting both local and international visitors seeking authentic halal options. The region’s focus on diversifying its economies beyond oil, coupled with strategic partnerships with global food and beverage brands, is accelerating the adoption of halal-friendly menu practices. The increasing influx of expatriates and tourists, alongside growing urbanization, further reinforces the region’s position as a dynamic growth hub for halal-certified food services.

In emerging economies across Latin America and parts of Europe, the adoption of halal-friendly menu implementation is gaining traction, though challenges remain. Limited awareness, fragmented certification processes, and varying degrees of regulatory oversight have slowed widespread adoption. However, rising Muslim populations, increased cross-cultural exchange, and the globalization of food trends are gradually stimulating demand in these markets. Local businesses are beginning to recognize the commercial potential of halal certification, especially in urban centers with diverse demographics. Policy harmonization, capacity-building initiatives, and targeted marketing campaigns are expected to bridge adoption gaps, enabling these regions to tap into the lucrative halal market while addressing consumer trust and standardization challenges.

Report Scope

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.

Negative binomial model of the relationship between ethnic religion interaction and male fertility (All MEN aged 15–59 years).

Abstract

The World Values Survey (www.worldvaluessurvey.org) is a global network of social scientists studying changing values and their impact on social and political life, led by an international team of scholars, with the WVS association and secretariat headquartered in Stockholm, Sweden. The survey, which started in 1981, seeks to use the most rigorous, high-quality research designs in each country. The WVS consists of nationally representative surveys conducted in almost 100 countries which contain almost 90 percent of the world’s population, using a common questionnaire. The WVS is the largest non-commercial, cross-national, time series investigation of human beliefs and values ever executed, currently including interviews with almost 400,000 respondents. Moreover the WVS is the only academic study covering the full range of global variations, from very poor to very rich countries, in all of the world’s major cultural zones. The WVS seeks to help scientists and policy makers understand changes in the beliefs, values and motivations of people throughout the world. Thousands of political scientists, sociologists, social psychologists, anthropologists and economists have used these data to analyze such topics as economic development, democratization, religion, gender equality, social capital, and subjective well-being. These data have also been widely used by government officials, journalists and students, and groups at the World Bank have analyzed the linkages between cultural factors and economic development.

Geographic coverage

Iran

Analysis unit

Household Individual

Universe

National Population, Both sexes,16 and more years

Kind of data

Sample survey data [ssd]

Sampling procedure

Sample size: 2532

Sample: 2600 cases were designed for 30 provinces. For two of them the data could not be gathered and so have been dropped. We have considered the sample by age and sex, and rural/urban distributions. With choosing the block and zones in each part of the places in cities and villages we have clarified the number of the interviews in each family in terms of age and sex and finally asked to fill out the questionnaire.

Remarks about sampling: After finishing the survey, 2535 questionnaires were chosen.

Mode of data collection

Face-to-face [f2f]

Research instrument

For each wave, suggestions for questions are solicited by social scientists from all over the world and a final master questionnaire is developed in English. Since the start in 1981 each successive wave has covered a broader range of societies than the previous one. Analysis of the data from each wave has indicated that certain questions tapped interesting and important concepts while others were of little value. This has led to the more useful questions or themes being replicated in future waves while the less useful ones have been dropped making room for new questions. The questionnaire is translated into the various national languages and in many cases independently translated back to English to check the accuracy of the translation. In most countries, the translated questionnaire is pre-tested to help identify questions for which the translation is problematic. In some cases certain problematic questions are omitted from the national questionnaire. WVS requires implementation of the common questionnaire fully and faithfully, in all countries included into one wave. Any alteration to the original questionnaire has to be approved by the EC. Omission of no more than a maximum of 12 questions in any given country can be allowed.

Response rate

65 people in our survey left the survey during the interview. We are not accounting the people rejecting to be interviewed, because we could replace them with someone else with the same qualities.

Sampling error estimates

Estimated Error: 2,0

The Hajj to Mecca in Saudi Arabia is considered among the world’s largest human gatherings, with over **** million pilgrims in 2025. The Saudi government restricted Hajj to residents in Saudi Arabia only during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. The number of Hajj pilgrims dropped to about **** thousand in 2021. Like other religious pilgrimages, Hajj is considered an annual rite of passage to renew one's moral and spiritual connection. Approximately a quarter of the human population identify themselves as Muslims. According to their faith of Islam, it is one of their five religious duties to perform the Hajj at least once in their lifetime. Who are the pilgrims? According to Islamic tradition, any Muslim who has reached maturity is due to perform the Hajj. During the last Hajj season before the COVID-19 pandemic, about two thirds of the pilgrims to Mecca came from outside of the Saudi Arabian Kingdom. The government of Saudi Arabia issues each years’ Hajj visas on a country quota system, based on the size of the Muslim population .     Financial aspects   One main condition for a mature Muslim to qualify to perform the Hajj is to be free of debt and other financial and social obligations. Many Muslims around the world spend a significant amount of their life-savings to be able to make this spiritual journey. As an example, the cost of performing Hajj for a Malaysian Muslim was calculated at about ***** thousand Malaysian ringgits. For first time Hajj pilgrims, the Malaysian government subsidizes more than half of that amount. Some Muslims who can’t afford the financial or physical challenges of the Hajj sometimes perform the smaller Islamic pilgrimage to Mecca called Umrah, which can be attempted all year round.

In 2021, around **** percent of the population in Bali were Hindus. Indonesia has the largest Islamic population in the world and therefore the largest Muslim nation. However, Indonesia is not a Muslim nation by constitution. The archipelago has *** official religions – Islam, Protestantism, Catholicism, Buddhism, Hinduism, and Confucianism.

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.

According to the population census data in 2010, ***** percent of Buddhist population in Indonesia resided in Jakarta, making it the province where the largest Buddhist population in Indonesia lived. Indonesia has the largest Islamic population in the world and therefore the largest Muslim nation. However, Indonesia is not a Muslim nation by constitution. The archipelago has six official religions – Islam, Protestantism, Catholicism, Buddhism, Hinduism, and Confucianism.

In 2021, around ***** percent of the population in East Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia were Catholics. Indonesia has the largest Islamic population in the world and therefore the largest Muslim nation. However, Indonesia is not a Muslim nation by constitution. The archipelago has *** official religions – Islam, Protestantism, Catholicism, Buddhism, Hinduism, and Confucianism.