According to a new report by Pew Research Center, the world’s Muslim population increased by 347 million between 2010 and 2020 more growth in absolute numbers than any other major religious group. Pew Research Center+2NPR+2
During that period, Muslims grew from about 1.7 billion to around 2.0 billion, a boost of roughly 21% globally, compared with about 10% growth for the world population as a whole. Pew Research Center+2Pew Research Center+2
As a result, the share of Muslims worldwide rose from about 24% in 2010 to approximately 26% in 2020. Pew Research Center+1
Why Islam grew so quickly
The report relying on data from more than 2,700 national censuses, demographic surveys, population registers and other sources across 201 countries and territories identifies demographic factors as the main drivers of growth. NPR+2KPBS Public Media+2
Key reasons:
- Muslim communities tend to be younger on average, with a lower median age than non-Muslim populations globally. Pew Research Center+1
- Muslim women globally have relatively higher fertility rates on average about 2.9 children per woman, compared with 2.2 for non-Muslim women. Pew Research Center
- The growth is mostly from natural increase (births over deaths), not from large-scale conversions. NPR+1
What happened to other major faith groups
- Christianity also grew in absolute numbers by about 122 million between 2010 and 2020. VPM+1
- However, because non-Christian populations grew faster, Christianity’s share of the world population declined from roughly 30.6% to 28.8%. Pew Research Center+2www.ndtv.com+2
- The group of people who are religiously unaffiliated (sometimes called “nones”) also expanded significantly, becoming the third-largest global group after Christians and Muslims. VPM+1
- Among other faiths: while some like Buddhism saw declines in absolute numbers, others maintained relative stability or modest growth depending on region. VPM+1
What this means for the global religious landscape
- The rise of Muslims is less about conversions and more about demographics youth, fertility, age distribution. The report cautions against interpreting the increase as a “mass conversion wave.” NPR+2Pew Research Center+2
- Over time, this demographic momentum could reshape religious balance globally potentially narrowing the gap between Muslim and Christian populations. Pew Research Center+2Pew Research Center+2
- The growing number of “religiously unaffiliated” persons also signals shifting patterns in religious identity, particularly in regions like Europe, North America, and parts of Asia, where many raised Christian or in other faiths no longer affiliate as adults. NPR+2opb+2