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57 Muslim countries

57 Muslim countries

If you have ever searched for an all Muslim country list, you probably wanted more than just names. You wanted clarity. Which countries are officially Muslim? Which have Muslim majorities? How many are there? And what does Islam actually say about unity between Muslim nations?

In this detailed guide, you will get a complete list of Muslim countries, verified population insights, Quranic context, and key references. Whether you are a student, researcher, content creator, or simply curious, this article gives you a structured and accurate overview.

Let us break it down properly.

Quick Takeaways

There is no country that is 100 percent Muslim

57 countries are members of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation

Many Muslim majority countries are in Asia and Africa

The global Muslim population is over 1.9 billion

Islam emphasizes unity of believers, not nationalism

According to Pew Research Center, Muslims make up nearly 25 percent of the global population, around 1.9 billion people.  Now let us explore the full list.

Understanding What “Muslim Country” Means

Before listing countries, you need clarity. There are two common definitions people use:

  • Muslim majority country
  • Member of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, OIC

The OIC includes 57 member states. It is the second largest intergovernmental organization after the United Nations.

Islam itself does not define countries by borders. Allah says:

Arabic:  إِنَّمَا الْمُؤْمِنُونَ إِخْوَةٌ

Transliteration: Innamal mu minuna ikhwatun

Translation: The believers are but brothers – Surah Al Hujurat 49:10

This verse reminds you that unity in Islam is faith based, not nationality based.

Complete List of OIC Member Muslim Countries

Below is the full list of 57 OIC member states with their estimated population, commonly referred to in searches as the all Muslim country list:

Sr. #CountryPopulation
1Afghanistan43,850,000
2Albania2,684,000
3Algeria47,800,000
4Azerbaijan10,260,000
5Bahrain1,628,000
6Bangladesh175,700,000
7Benin14,050,000
8Brunei461,000
9Burkina Faso24,070,000
10Cameroon27,970,000
11Chad19,340,000
12Comoros877,000
13Cote d Ivoire33,180,000
14Djibouti1,088,000
15Egypt107,838,000
16Gabon2,489,000
17Gambia2,461,000
18Guinea14,364,000
19Guinea Bissau1,853,000
20Guyana785,000
21Indonesia284,698,000
22Iran86,526,000
23Iraq45,694,000
24Jordan11,845,000
25Kazakhstan20,462,000
26Kuwait5,098,000
27Kyrgyzstan7,358,000
28Lebanon5,688,000
29Libya8,060,000
30Malaysia33,357,000
31Maldives562,000
32Mali24,745,000
33Mauritania4,690,000
34Morocco37,137,000
35Mozambique34,091,000
36Niger27,275,000
37Nigeria233,560,000
38Oman5,307,000
39Pakistan255,749,000
40Palestine4,209,000 (West Bank & Gaza)
41Qatar3,168,000
42Saudi Arabia33,607,000
43Senegal19,179,000
44Sierra Leone7,833,000
45Somalia21,289,000
46Sudan48,945,000
47Suriname651,700
48Syria23,607,000
49Tajikistan10,576,000
50Togo8,588,000
51Tunisia11,943,000
52Turkey86,797,000
53Turkmenistan7,363,000
54Uganda47,487,000
55United Arab Emirates11,454,000
56Uzbekistan38,192,000
57Yemen34,355,000

These countries span four continents.

Muslim Majority Countries by Region

To make this easier to understand, let us group them geographically. Looking at Muslim majority countries by region helps you see patterns in population size, culture, language, and economic development. It also gives you better context if you are researching demographics, geopolitics, Islamic history, or even business opportunities across the Muslim world.

Muslim majority countries are not concentrated in one single area. They stretch across Asia, Africa, parts of Europe, and even South America. Each region has its own identity, history, and contribution to the wider Muslim ummah.

Middle East and Gulf Region

This region includes countries such as Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Kuwait, Oman, Bahrain, Yemen, Jordan, and Iraq.

The Middle East is often seen as the spiritual centre of the Muslim world. Saudi Arabia is home to Makkah and Madinah, the two holiest cities in Islam. Millions of Muslims travel there annually for Hajj and Umrah.

Economically, several Gulf countries have strong oil and gas sectors. However, many are now investing heavily in diversification, technology, tourism, and finance. This makes the region strategically important both religiously and economically.

Allah says:

Arabic:  وَلِلَّهِ عَلَى النَّاسِ حِجُّ الْبَيْتِ

Transliteration: Wa lillahi alannasi hijjul bayt

Translation: And pilgrimage to the House is a duty owed to Allah by people – Surah Aal Imran 3:97

South Asia

South Asia includes Pakistan, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, and the Maldives.

This region has some of the largest Muslim populations in the world. Pakistan and Bangladesh together account for hundreds of millions of Muslims. South Asia has a deep Islamic scholarly tradition, with famous madrasahs, scholars, and centuries of Islamic influence in culture and law.

At the same time, the region faces development challenges such as poverty reduction, education access, and infrastructure growth. Understanding these realities gives you a more balanced perspective on Muslim majority countries.

Southeast Asia

Southeast Asia includes Indonesia, Malaysia, and Brunei.

Indonesia is the largest Muslim majority country in the world by population. Islam arrived in this region through trade, not conquest, which shaped a distinct cultural expression of Islam.

Malaysia and Brunei also have strong Islamic institutions, alongside modern financial systems. Islamic banking and halal industries are particularly advanced in this region. If you are researching global halal markets or Islamic finance, Southeast Asia plays a key role.

Africa

Africa has the highest number of Muslim majority countries by region. These include Egypt, Algeria, Morocco, Tunisia, Libya, Sudan, Somalia, Nigeria, Senegal, Mali, Niger, Chad, Djibouti, Comoros, Mauritania, Gambia, Guinea, Guinea Bissau, Sierra Leone, Burkina Faso, Mozambique, Togo, Uganda, Cameroon, Gabon, and Benin.

North Africa, especially Egypt and Morocco, has long been a centre of Islamic scholarship. Al Azhar University in Egypt is one of the oldest Islamic universities in the world.

West and East Africa have rapidly growing Muslim populations. Many African Muslim majority countries are young in terms of demographics, meaning a large percentage of the population is under 30. This has major implications for economic growth, education, and political development in the coming decades.

Africa has a rapidly growing Muslim population. According to the World Population Review, several African nations are projected to see strong Muslim demographic growth by 2050.

Central Asia

Central Asia includes Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan.

Islam in this region has deep historical roots going back to early Islamic expansion and trade routes such as the Silk Road. These countries experienced decades of Soviet influence, which shaped their religious and political systems.

Today, Central Asian nations are rebuilding religious identity while balancing modern governance structures. They are strategically located between Europe and Asia, which makes them geopolitically significant.

Europe

In Europe, Albania, Turkey, and Azerbaijan are Muslim majority countries.

Turkey is unique because it spans both Europe and Asia. It has a long Ottoman history and continues to influence regional politics. Turkey bridges Europe and Asia. Albania and Azerbaijan have different historical experiences but maintain Muslim majority populations.

South America and Caribbean

Guyana and Suriname are often overlooked in discussions about Muslim majority countries. However, they are OIC members and have significant Muslim communities shaped by migration and trade history.

This shows that Islam is not confined to one continent. It is truly global.

When you group Muslim majority countries by region, you begin to see diversity within unity. Shared faith connects them, but geography, language, and culture make each region distinct. This broader understanding helps you move beyond simple lists and appreciate the global scope of the Muslim world.

5 Countries with Significant Muslim Populations but Not Muslim Majority

Some countries are not officially Muslim majority, yet they have very large Muslim communities. In fact, in absolute numbers, some of these countries rank among the top Muslim populations in the world.

Understanding this helps you see that Islam is not limited to Muslim majority states. It is a global religion with strong communities across different political systems, cultures and economic environments.

Let us look at a few key examples.

India

India does not have a Muslim majority. However, it has one of the largest Muslim populations in the world. Estimates suggest that India has over 200 million Muslims, making it one of the top three Muslim populations globally.

Muslims in India are spread across many states, with significant communities in Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Bihar, Kerala and parts of southern India. The history of Islam in India dates back over a thousand years through trade, scholarship and empires such as the Delhi Sultanate and the Mughal Empire.

Although Muslims are a minority in India, their cultural, educational and economic contributions are significant.

China

China has an estimated Muslim population ranging between 20 to 25 million. The largest Muslim groups include the Hui and the Uyghur communities.

Islam has been present in China for over 1300 years, mainly through trade along the Silk Road. Today, Muslim communities are found across several provinces, including Xinjiang, Ningxia and Gansu.

While Muslims form a small percentage of the total population, their historical presence in China is deep and well documented.

Russia

Russia has a Muslim population estimated between 15 to 20 million. Islam is officially recognised as one of the traditional religions of the Russian Federation.

Muslim communities are particularly strong in regions such as Tatarstan, Bashkortostan, Chechnya and Dagestan. Islam has existed in parts of Russia for centuries, especially in the Volga region and the North Caucasus.

This makes Russia one of the European countries with the largest Muslim populations.

United Kingdom

The United Kingdom has over 3.9 million Muslims according to recent census data. Muslims make up around 6 to 7 percent of the UK population.

Major cities such as London, Birmingham, Manchester and Bradford have well established Muslim communities. British Muslims contribute actively to business, healthcare, education, law and politics.

Islam in the UK has grown steadily due to migration, higher birth rates and conversions.

United States

The United States has an estimated Muslim population of around 3.5 to 4 million people. Muslims represent roughly 1 percent of the total population.

American Muslims come from diverse ethnic backgrounds including South Asian, Arab, African American and African communities. Islam is one of the fastest growing religions in the country.

Mosques and Islamic centers are present across all major states, reflecting the nationwide presence of Muslim communities.

Global Growth of Islam

Islam continues to grow worldwide. According to Pew Research Center projections, Islam could become the largest religion globally by the end of the century if current demographic trends continue. This growth is largely driven by higher fertility rates and younger population structures in Muslim communities.

This global spread shows that Islam is not confined to Muslim majority countries. Strong Muslim communities exist across Asia, Europe, Africa and the Americas.

When you examine countries with significant Muslim populations but not Muslim majority status, you begin to see the true global footprint of Islam. It is diverse, widespread and deeply rooted in many societies around the world.

Also Read : Why Islam is the fastest growing religion in the world?

Top Countries by Population (Latest Global Estimates 2025)

If you are researching global demographics, economic potential, or Muslim population distribution, understanding the top countries by population gives you important context. Population size directly impacts workforce strength, consumer markets, political influence, and long term economic growth.

According to the latest United Nations and World Population Review estimates for 2025, here are the most populated countries in the world:

Top 10 Most Populated Countries

The top 10 most populated countries in the world are:

  1. India – approximately 1.43 billion
  2. China – approximately 1.41 billion
  3. United States – approximately 340 million
  4. Indonesia – approximately 285 million
  5. Pakistan – approximately 256 million
  6. Nigeria – approximately 233 million
  7. Brazil – approximately 216 million
  8. Bangladesh – approximately 175 million
  9. Russia – approximately 144 million
  10. Mexico – approximately 129 million

Together, these nations account for well over half of the global population and play a major role in shaping the world’s economy, politics and demographic trends.

Population and the Muslim World

Among OIC member states, the most populated countries are:

  • Indonesia
  • Pakistan
  • Nigeria
  • Bangladesh
  • Egypt

These nations collectively represent a substantial portion of the global Muslim population.

Population Projection for 2050

According to the United Nations World Population Prospects 2022 revision, the global population is projected to reach around 9.7 billion by 2050.

By 2050, India is expected to remain the most populated country, followed by China (though declining), while Nigeria is projected to rise sharply and become the third most populous country in the world. The United States is expected to remain in the top four, and Pakistan is also projected to stay among the top five.

Africa will see the fastest population growth overall, with more than half of global population growth between now and 2050 expected to come from African countries.

What Islam Says About Unity of Muslim Nations

Islam does not emphasize borders. It emphasizes brotherhood. The Prophet Muhammad peace be upon him said:

Arabic:  مَثَلُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ فِي تَوَادِّهِمْ وَتَرَاحُمِهِمْ

Transliteration: Mathalul mu minina fi tawaddihim wa tarahumihim

Translation: The example of the believers in their mutual love and mercy – Sahih Muslim 2586

He (PBUH) compared believers to one body. If one part suffers, the whole body feels pain. This hadith reminds you that the concept of Muslim countries should strengthen unity, not division.

Challenges and Misconceptions

One common misconception is that Muslim countries are culturally identical. They are not. Indonesia is culturally different from Morocco. Nigeria is different from Malaysia. Islam unites belief, not language or dress.

Another misconception is that all Muslim majority countries apply Islamic law fully. Governance systems vary widely. So when you search all Muslim country list, remember you are looking at political entities, not a single uniform system.

Trends and Future Outlook

Demographic studies show that Muslim population growth is strong in Africa and parts of Asia. Education levels, urbanization and economic development will shape how Muslim countries evolve.

Young populations in countries like Nigeria and Pakistan will significantly impact global economics and politics.

This makes understanding Muslim majority countries important for business, geopolitics and academic research.

Conclusion

There is no country that is completely Muslim in population. However, 57 nations are recognized as OIC members and most are Muslim majority countries. When you think about the all Muslim country list, think beyond borders. Think about unity. Think about shared belief. Think about responsibility. Islam teaches you that real strength comes from brotherhood, cooperation and justice.

If you found this guide useful, consider sharing it with students, educators or anyone researching Muslim countries worldwide.

FAQs:

How many Muslim countries are there in the world?

There are 57 member states in the Organization of Islamic Cooperation.

Which country has the largest Muslim population?

Indonesia has the largest Muslim population in the world.

Is there any country that is 100 percent Muslim?

No country is officially 100 percent Muslim.

Are all Muslim countries Arab countries?

No. Many Muslim majority countries are in Africa and Asia.

Why is unity important in Islam?

The Quran and hadith emphasize that believers are brothers and should remain united in faith.

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