Jun 24, 2025
A recent report from the Pew Research Center highlights a dramatic global shift: Islam is now the fastest-growing religion in the world and is projected to surpass Christianity in total adherents by 2075. Between 2010 and 2020, the global Muslim population surged by 347 million—nearly three times the growth seen in Christianity during the same period. This unprecedented rise is fueled by a combination of high fertility rates, a notably young population, and mass migration, particularly into Western nations. Islam’s global population grew from 1.6 billion to 1.94 billion in just a decade, increasing its share of the world’s population from 23.8% to 25.6%. In contrast, Christianity, though still the largest religion with 2.3 billion adherents, saw its global share decline from 30.6% to 28.8%, reflecting slower growth and high attrition—especially in Western nations where secularism and religious disaffiliation are surging.
The drivers behind Islam’s growth are clear and compounding: the highest fertility rate among major religions (2.9 children per woman), the youngest median age globally (24 years), and a low rate of religious switching. Migration, while not impacting global numbers, is significantly reshaping the religious demographics of regions like Europe and North America. Pew projects that Muslims could make up more than 14% of Europe’s population by 2050, while the Muslim population in the U.S. is expected to double by mid-century. As Islam expands, its influence is increasingly felt in cultural, educational, and legal systems—especially in Western nations where demands for Sharia-compliant accommodations are rising. This ongoing demographic shift is not just numerical; it carries profound civilizational consequences. While Christianity remains dominant for now, Islam’s momentum suggests it will increasingly define the global religious and political landscape throughout the 21st century.
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SOURCE: RAIR Foundation