The Largest Muslim Country by Population, Is Indonesia on the List?

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The world is home to diverse religions, with Islam holding the title of the second-largest globally. What began in Mecca in the 7th century CE, Islam is now followed by a staggering 1.8 billion people worldwide.

This large community continues to spread across the globe, with over 200 million pilgrims residing in the largest Muslim country by population, Indonesia, where Islam plays a central role in society and culture.

The Largest Muslim Country by Population

Drawing insight from the World Population Review, Indonesia is named the largest Muslim country by population in the world. Other nations with millions of Muslims include:

1. Indonesia (242.7 million Muslims)

Indonesia tops the list with 242.7 million Muslims, making it the largest Muslim country by population today. As noted by the Australian Academy of the Humanities, Islam first entered Indonesia in the 14th century when traders from Arabia, Gujarat, and China seeking spices, brought the religion with them. 

The spread of Islam was gradual, and today, it is one of the six official religions in the country, with its identity often being integral to the nation’s culture and way of life.

2. Pakistan (240.7 million Muslims)

Just behind Indonesia is Pakistan, with 240.7 million Muslims. Located in South Asia, Pakistan is an Islamic Republic country where Islam is established as the official state religion. Pakistan’s Muslim population is almost entirely Sunni, although there is also a significant Shia community.

The country’s legal framework is heavily influenced by Islam, with laws and judicial decisions being interpreted according to Islamic jurisprudence and must conform to Islamic injunctions.

3. India (200 million Muslims)

India is home to approximately 200 million Muslims, with a history dating back to the 600s when Arab traders introduced the religion to the subcontinent. Despite being the third-largest Muslim country by population, Islam is a minority religion in this secular country—accounting for only 15% of the total population. 

As quoted from the Council on Foreign Relations, many Muslims in India often faced prejudice, violence, and discrimination, which can be traced to the 1947 partition.

4. Bangladesh (150.8 million Muslims)

Moving on to Bangladesh, a small South Asian country that houses 150.8 million Muslims. According to an article from ICR Journal, Islam began to influence the subcontinent by the mid-tenth century CE through Muslim traders in the eighth and ninth centuries, before finally starting to spread by the mid-11th century.

Bangladesh's Muslim population is mostly Sunni, with significant influences from Islam shaping the country’s culture alongside the other two great religions of Hinduism and Buddhism. 

5. Nigeria (97 million Muslims)

Africa’s most populous country, Nigeria is home to 97 million Muslims. The figure contributed to over half of the population, followed closely by Christians. Islam was introduced to Nigeria in the 11th century, and today, it is deeply intertwined with Nigerian identity, influencing everything from music, fashion, to politics and law.

6. Egypt (90 million Muslims)

Egypt, with 90 million Muslims, is the birthplace of one of the world’s oldest Islamic civilizations. In 641 CE, Islam first entered Egypt after the fall of the Roman Empire. The Muslim Arabs, under the leadership of Amr ibn al-As, conquered Egypt and brought Islam with them. 

Over time, Egypt's culture, laws, and society became increasingly influenced by Islam, with Islamic teachings shaping much of the country’s life and governance. One notable example of this influence is the famous Al-Azhar University in Cairo.

7. Turkey (84.4 million people)

With 84.4 million Muslims, Turkey is another largest Muslim country by population. Islam’s history in Turkey traces back to the 8th century, when Turkic tribes joined forces with Arab Muslims to battle the Chinese. Although Turkey became a secular republic in 1923, Islam remains the majority religion—covering 99% of the population (as of 2022), according to the US Department of State.

8. Iran (82.5 million people)

Rounding out the list is Iran, with a Muslim population of 82.5 million. As the epicenter of Shia Islam, Iran has a significant religious influence on the Muslim world, particularly in regions of the Middle East and Central Asia. With a long history rooted in Islamic scholarship and culture, Iran’s influence stretches across political, cultural, and societal practices.

These eight countries are home to the largest Muslim populations in the world, each with its own rich Islamic heritage and unique contributions to the broader Muslim world. For a similar discovery, explore the most religious countries in the world.

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