The global Muslim map
The global Muslim map
A new demographic study throws up some interesting facts on the distribution of the world’s Muslim population. A new report by Pew Research Center’s Forum on religion and public life, ‘Mapping the Global Muslim Population: A Report on the Size and Distribution of the World’s Muslim Population’, released on 7 October, estimates the total number to be 1.57 billion or approximately 23% of the world’s people. The demographic study, conducted by Pew Forum researchers in consultation with demographers and social scientists at various universities worldwide, provides up-to-date information on the size and distribution (including sectarian distribution) of the Muslim population in 232 countries worldwide.
Also See The global Muslim map (Graphics)
According to the report, at least 60% of the global Muslim population lives in Asia, while 20% lives in West Asia and North Africa. Indonesia, with 203 million, has the world’s largest Muslim population, followed by Pakistan with 174 million and India with 161 million or 10.3% of the world Muslim population. About 20% of the world’s Muslims live in countries where they are in a minority, and of these India has the largest number. The study threw up some other interesting statistics—China, for example, has more Muslims than Syria, while Russia is home to more Muslims than Jordan and Libya combined. For the complete report, go to www.pewforum.org,. The Pew Forum plans to launch a similar study of global Christianity in 2010.
akshai.j@livemint.com
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