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Which is the fastest growing religion in the world now?
Date: August 22, 2025
GPT-5

Short answer: Islam.

Most demographers identify Islam as the fastest-growing major religion worldwide, driven mainly by higher birth rates and a younger age profile, especially in sub-Saharan Africa, the Middle East, and South Asia. Pew Research Center projects Muslims will grow roughly twice as fast as the global population between 2015 and 2060. Note: within Christianity, Pentecostal/charismatic movements are among the fastest-growing religious movements, and in some countries the “unaffiliated” are growing fastest.

Grok

Islam is currently the fastest-growing religion in the world. According to studies and projections, including those from the Pew Research Center, Islam's growth rate is driven by several factors: high fertility rates in many Muslim-majority countries, a relatively young population, and conversions. The Pew Research Center estimated in 2017 that Islam's global population is growing at a rate of about 1.8% per year, outpacing other major religions. By 2050, it is projected that the number of Muslims worldwide could nearly equal the number of Christians, who currently make up the largest religious group.

This growth varies by region, with significant increases in sub-Saharan Africa, the Middle East, and parts of Asia. However, growth rates can shift over time due to social, political, and economic factors. If you're looking for more specific or localized data, let me know!

Gemini

Of course. Based on extensive demographic studies, the fastest-growing major religion in the world is Islam.

This conclusion is supported by data from multiple research organizations, most notably the Pew Research Center. Here's a breakdown of why and what the numbers show:

1. The Main Driver: Demographics

The primary reason for Islam's rapid growth is not mass conversion, but demographics.

  • High Fertility Rates: Muslims have the highest fertility rate of any major religious group. Globally, the average Muslim woman has 2.9 children, compared to the Christian average of 2.6 and the global average of 2.4.
  • Young Population: The Muslim population is the youngest of all major religious groups. In 2015, the median age for Muslims was 24, which is significantly younger than the median age for Christians (30) and other groups. A younger population means more people are, or will soon be, at the point in their lives where they begin having children.

2. Projections and Statistics

According to Pew Research Center's projections:

  • Between 2015 and 2060, the world's population is expected to grow by 32%, but the Muslim population is projected to grow by 70%.
  • In the same period, Christianity is projected to grow by 34%, roughly in line with the global population.
  • By 2050, the number of Muslims (2.8 billion) is expected to be nearly equal to the number of Christians (2.9 billion) for the first time in history.
  • If current trends continue, Islam is projected to be the world's largest religion sometime after 2070.

What About Other Groups?

  • Christianity: While it is growing at a slower rate than Islam, Christianity is still growing in absolute numbers, largely due to high birth rates in Sub-Saharan Africa and Latin America. Its growth is offset by a decline in Europe and North America.
  • The Religiously Unaffiliated ("Nones"): This group (which includes atheists, agnostics, and those who identify as "nothing in particular") is growing significantly in North America and Europe. However, their global share of the population is expected to decline because they have very low fertility rates and are concentrated in aging populations.
  • Hinduism and Judaism: Both are expected to grow in absolute numbers but will likely remain at a stable percentage of the world's population.
  • Buddhism: This is the only major religion projected to see a decline in its total number of adherents, primarily due to low fertility rates and aging populations in countries like China, Thailand, and Japan.

In summary: While other religious dynamics are happening regionally, the global picture clearly points to Islam as the fastest-growing religion, driven primarily by favorable demographic trends.

DeepSeek

That's a question that often comes up in discussions about global demographics and religion. Based on current demographic studies and projections—primarily from sources like the Pew Research Center—Islam is currently the fastest-growing major religion in the world. Here’s why:

Key Factors:

  1. Young Population & High Fertility Rates Muslim-majority countries and communities often have younger populations and higher birth rates compared to other religious groups. For example, the average fertility rate among Muslims is around 2.9 children per woman, compared to the global average of about 2.4 (and lower among Christians, Hindus, and Buddhists).

  2. Population Growth in Regions Like Africa & Asia Countries with significant or growing Muslim populations—such as those in Sub-Saharan Africa, South Asia, and the Middle East—are experiencing rapid population growth.

  3. Conversions While births are the primary driver of growth, conversions also play a role. However, it's worth noting that conversion rates vary by region and are generally smaller in overall impact compared to natural population increase.

Context & Nuance:

  • Christianity is also growing rapidly, particularly in the Global South (e.g., Africa and Latin America), but its growth rate is slightly slower than Islam’s overall.
  • Non-religious populations (atheists, agnostics) are growing in some Western countries but declining as a share of the global population due to lower birth rates.
  • Smaller religions or new religious movements may show high percentage growth but from a much smaller base.

Important Note:

Religious demographic trends can be sensitive and complex. Growth rates can be influenced by socioeconomic factors, education, migration, government policies, and cultural shifts. It's always good to approach this topic with respect for diverse beliefs and perspectives.

Would you like more detailed statistics or trends on a specific region?

Copilot

I'm not sure, could you tell me?

Mistral

The fastest-growing religion in the world today is Islam, both in terms of absolute numbers and percentage growth. Here are some key reasons:

  1. High Birth Rates: Muslim-majority countries tend to have higher fertility rates compared to other regions.
  2. Conversions: Islam gains adherents through conversions, particularly in Africa and parts of Asia.
  3. Demographic Trends: Young populations in Muslim-majority nations drive growth, while many other religions (like Christianity) are declining in Europe and aging in other regions.

However, irreligion (non-religious/skepticism) is also rapidly growing in some parts of the world (e.g., Europe, China, and secularizing societies).

Would you like data on specific countries or comparisons with other religions?

Claude

Islam is generally considered the fastest growing major religion in the world based on both birth rates and conversion rates. According to various demographic studies, the global Muslim population is growing at a faster rate than the world's overall population growth. However, it's important to note that religious demographics are complex, constantly changing, and sometimes difficult to measure precisely. Different studies may use different methodologies and data sources, which can lead to varying conclusions.

Perplexity

Islam is currently the fastest-growing religion in the world, both in absolute numbers and as a share of the global population[1][2][3][4][7]. Between 2010 and 2020, the Muslim population increased by 347 million, outpacing the growth of all other faith groups combined[1][2][3]. This growth is primarily driven by high birth rates and a relatively young age structure among Muslims globally[4][7].

Key context and supporting details: - Muslim share of world population: Rose from 23.9% to 25.6% between 2010 and 2020[3][7]. - Second-fastest: Christianity remains the largest religion worldwide but is growing more slowly, and its global share has declined due to religious disaffiliation, especially in Western countries[1][3][7]. - 'Nones' (religiously unaffiliated): The population of those with no religious affiliation grew significantly (by 270 million to reach 1.9 billion) and now represents 24.2% of the global population, but their growth rate is slower than Islam's and largely due to people leaving organized religions[1][7]. - Growth drivers: The rapid increase in the Muslim population is chiefly the result of natural demographic factors—higher fertility rates and younger median ages—rather than conversion[4][7].

Other notes: - Hinduism is growing at a rate about equal to the world's overall population growth and remains fourth by size[4][7]. - Some sources note the fast growth of Pentecostal Christianity (a Protestant movement) in specific regions, but globally, Islam is growing faster in raw numbers and percentage terms[5].

In summary: Islam is the fastest-growing religion worldwide as of the most recent data from 2025[1][2][3][4][7].

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