In a new report released by the Pew Research Center, Islam has been identified as the fastest-growing religion in the world, adding a staggering 347 million new adherents between 2010 and 2020. This growth outpaced all other major religions and underscores the shifting dynamics of global faith and population trends.
According to the study, the global Muslim population now stands at around 2 billion, making up 25.6% of the world’s total population—up from 23.9% in 2010. In comparison, Christianity remains the largest religion with approximately 2.3 billion followers, but its share has declined from 30.6% to 28.8% over the same period. Experts attribute this decline largely to a rise in secularism, particularly in Western countries, where increasing numbers of people identify as religiously unaffiliated.
Why Is Islam Growing So Rapidly?
There are a few key reasons why Islam is seeing such remarkable growth:
- High birth rates: Muslim families tend to have more children on average compared to other religious groups. The average Muslim woman gives birth to about 2.9 children, while the global average for non-Muslims is around 2.2.
- Younger population: Islam has the youngest median age of all major religions—around 24 years—which means more people are entering childbearing age.
- Low rates of disaffiliation: Unlike in Christianity and some other religions, the number of people leaving Islam remains minimal. Most people who are born into the faith continue to identify as Muslim throughout their lives.
Hinduism Steady as the Fourth-Largest Religion
Hinduism remains the fourth-largest religion globally, following Christianity, Islam, and the religiously unaffiliated. It now represents 14.9% of the world’s population, with India home to nearly 95% of the global Hindu population. In the past decade, Hinduism added 126 million new followers, bringing its global total to around 1.23 billion.
Interestingly, Hindu communities outside India have also grown significantly—especially in regions like North America and the Middle East, due to migration and diaspora expansion.
A World in Religious Transition
Other notable findings from the Pew report include:
- The number of people with no religious affiliation (often referred to as “nones”) grew by 270 million, and they now make up over 24% of the global population.
- Buddhism saw a decline in numbers—dropping by 19 million over the past decade, making it the only major faith to lose followers in absolute terms.
- Judaism maintained a steady population of around 15 million, accounting for about 0.2% of the global population.
What This Means for the Future
If current trends continue, Islam may eventually surpass Christianity as the world’s most-followed religion within this century. With higher fertility rates, a youthful population, and strong retention, Islam’s growth is likely to remain steady. Meanwhile, Christianity faces challenges due to disaffiliation, especially in Europe and North America.
At the same time, Hinduism continues to thrive within its traditional heartland and is gradually expanding its presence globally. The steady growth among Hindu communities outside South Asia reflects changing global migration patterns and the increasing visibility of Indian culture and spirituality worldwide.
Final Thoughts
Religion remains one of the most powerful social and cultural forces in the world, shaping identities, politics, and communities. As these global patterns shift, they tell a deeper story about how people live, believe, and connect with something greater than themselves. Whether it’s through growth, migration, or redefinition, the landscape of global faith continues to evolve in fascinating ways.
