15 Countries with the Largest Muslim Population in the World

Do you know that Islam is the second largest religion in the world after Christianity? Which country do you think has the largest Muslim population in the world?

Many people might think that the most Muslim population must be in the Middle East country. It might be true that most Middle East countries are Islamic countries, but the largest population of Muslims is not in the Middle East countries. Let's find out more about the countries that have the highest Muslim population in the world.

Indonesia

The country with the biggest Muslim population comes from Southeast Asia. It is Indonesia that has the highest Muslim population in the world with about 229 million people in the country believing in Islam as their religion. Muslims make up 87.2% of the country's overall population. Indonesia is not only the country with the most Muslim population in the world, but it is also the most powerful Islamic country in the world.

Pakistan

Pakistan is the country with the fifth largest population in the world and 96.5% of the population is identified as Muslims. It means that there are about 200.4 million Muslims become part of the country's population. As a result, Pakistan becomes the country with the second-highest Muslim population in the world.

India

Many people might know India as a country with Hindus as the country's majority. Nevertheless, this country also has a large Muslim population that covers about 14.2% of the whole country's population. Now, about 195 million Muslims are living in the country, but according to PEW Research Center, India can surpass Pakistan and Indonesia as the country with the highest Muslim population in the world by 2050. It might not be surprising at all, since India has surpassed China as the most populous country in the world.

Bangladesh

The next country on the list of the largest Muslim population in the world is Bangladesh with about 153.7 million Muslim population. Unlike India, Islam is the predominant religion in this country. With this record, about 90.4% of people in Bangladesh are Muslim.

Nigeria

The fifth most Muslim population can be found in Nigeria with about 99 million Muslims. About 49.6% which is about half of the overall population in the country are Muslims. Most Muslims in the country located in West Africa are living in the northern part of the country while the southern part is mostly inhabited by Christians.

Egypt

Another African country is included in the list of the countries with the most Muslim population in the world. The next country is Egypt with about 87.5 million Muslims. Because about 92.4% of the overall population is Muslim, there is no doubt that Islam has become a dominant religion in this country that is well-known for its pyramids. Egypt is a super popular tourist destination, for sure.

Iran

Since Iran has about 82.5 million Muslims, this country takes the seventh place of the countries with the highest Muslim population in the world. It means that about 99.4% of Iran's total population are Muslims and it makes this country one country with the highest percentage of Muslim population in the world, as well. Most Muslims in this country are part of the Shia sect of Islam.

Turkiye

Turkiye has a rich historical background that cannot be separated from the history of Islam. It might not be surprising for people that this country has the eighth-largest Muslim population in the world with about 80 million Muslims living in the country which make up 99.2% of the total population. People all around the world know this country for the mosques, as well as the Ottoman architecture, but this country is the second most powerful Islamic country in the world.

Algeria

While about 90% of the country is covered by the Sahara desert, about 99% of Algeria's population is Muslim. It means that more than 41 million Algerians are Muslim. Even though Algeria is a desert country, this country is well-known for its hospitality.

Sudan

About 40 million Muslims are living in Sudan. That is about 97% of the total population of the country in northeast Africa. It makes Sudan the 10th country with the largest Muslim population in the world. Of course, it is not the only fascinating thing you can find in Sudan because this country also has a large coastline that spreads for about 900 kilometers.

Iraq

Iraq is not only an oil-rich country because this country is also one of the most Muslim populations in the world with about 38.5 million Muslims living in the country. Approximately 95.7% of the country's population are Muslims for both Shia and Sunni sects of Islam. With the belief that this country has the fifth largest oil reserves in the world, Iraq becomes one key member of OPEC.

Morocco

Morocco which is located in North Africa has about 37.9 million Muslims in the country with most of them being part of the Sunni sect of Islam. The Muslims in the country might be about 99% of the total population, but many people love to visit this country as tourists because of its culture, architecture, and of course the famous Atlas Mountains.

Ethiopia

The dominant religion in Ethiopia is Christianity but 33.9% of the overall population are Muslims. With about 35.6 million Muslims, Ethiopia becomes the 13th country with the highest Muslim population in the world. This circumstance might be the reason why this country has a diverse culture and history. Both reasons along with the country's popularity of coffee make people love to visit this country.

Afghanistan

There is no doubt that Afghanistan is known as an Islamic country because Islam has become the state religion in this country. It also has the 14th-highest Muslim population in the world with about 34.8 million Muslims that make up 99.6% of the total country's population.

Saudi Arabia

Last but not least, the 15th country with the largest Muslim population in the world is Saudi Arabia with 31.2 million Muslims. It means that Muslims make up 97.1% of the total population in the country where you can find some holiest Islamic sites.