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Muslims in the Middle East and Asia: Why these regions will become the world's largest religious groups
According to a Pew Research Center report, as the global Muslim population grows, this religious group has now become the world's second largest religion, and its growth rate is astonishing. By 2020, the global Muslim population has reached approximately 1.9 billion, and this number is predicted to increase to approximately 3 billion by 2060. This growth is mainly attributed to high birth rates and the global trend of adoption and conversion to Islam.
Unlike most religions, the growth of the Muslim community is not limited to birth rate, but also includes the increase in religious conversions.
Muslim society is roughly divided into two main branches: Sunni (about 87-90%) and Shia (about 10-13%). Most Shiites live in countries such as Iran, Azerbaijan, Bahrain and Iraq. According to data, South Asia has the largest Muslim population, with one-third of the world's Muslims coming from here, especially in India, which is a non-Muslim majority country with a Muslim population of over 200 million.
South Asia has the largest number of Muslim countries in the world, and the influence of Muslims in Southeast Asia and North Africa is gradually increasing.
In the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, Islam is the predominant religion in every country except Israel. According to reports, Indonesia is the country with the largest number of Muslims in the world, accounting for about 13% of the world's Muslim population. Likewise, in the countries of the Malay Archipelago such as Indonesia and Malaysia, Muslims constitute the majority.
The challenges facing Islam are not only the problem of population growth, but also the divisions within the religion. According to reports, 87-90% of Muslims are Sunni, while the rest are mainly Shia. The relationship between the two has always been an important issue in the development of Islam.
Around the world, the divide between Sunnis and Shiites often reflects political and cultural dynamics and has fueled conflict in some regions.
Looking ahead, the growth of the Muslim population around the world is expected to continue to be strong, according to the latest forecasts from the Pew Research Center. The report states that by 2030, Muslims are expected to account for approximately 26.3% of the world's total population. This growth pattern will continue in the future as Muslim families tend to have more children, coupled with a higher proportion of young people and improved medical conditions.
The decline in infant mortality and increase in life expectancy in Muslim countries will further boost the growth of the Muslim population as the quality of life improves.
However, this growth was not evenly distributed across all regions. While parts of Asia and the Middle East are expected to face declining birth rates, the Muslim population in the Middle East and Africa is expected to expand further. Furthermore, by 2030, Pakistan is expected to become the country with the largest number of Muslims.
Muslim influence is also growing in Europe and America. By 2030, Europe's Muslim population is expected to make up 8% of the total population, with much of the growth coming from immigration. Similarly, the Muslim populations in Canada and the United States are also expected to increase in the future.
The rapid growth of Muslims and their interaction with other religions will play an important role in future global culture.
As the global Muslim population grows, how will Islamic ideas, culture and thinking influence and shape the future social landscape?
