Islam Growing Rapidly Worldwide, Closing Gap with Christianity

[Fatima]

Based on an in-depth analysis by the Pew Research Center, Islam is currently the world's fastest-growing religion. This growth is largely driven by high fertility rates and a younger average age among Muslim populations compared to other religious communities.

Pew’s projections indicate that by the year 2050, the number of Muslims globally will nearly equal the number of Christians. While Christians remain the largest religious group as of now, Muslims are closing the gap at a notable pace. In 2015, Christians comprised approximately 31% of the global population, while Muslims made up about 24%. Pew Research projects that by 2050, the Christian share will slightly increase to 31.4%, while the Muslim population is expected to grow significantly to nearly 29.7%.

The report highlights that Muslim populations are expanding rapidly in regions like sub-Saharan Africa, the Middle East, and parts of Asia. Meanwhile, Christianity, although still growing in absolute numbers, is seeing slower growth due to lower birth rates and aging demographics, especially in Europe and North America.

This demographic shift is reshaping global religious landscapes and encouraging scholars, policymakers, and faith leaders to engage in deeper dialogue and understanding between the two largest faith groups on Earth.