Islamic Countries of the World
Summary
while there is no universally agreed “official” list of “Islamic countries”, most reliable sources identify around 50 countries in the world where Muslims form the majority of the population. World Population declare Islam as the state religion or characterise themselves as Islamic republics. We will explore definitions, numbers, names, statistics, significance, challenges and practical reflections.
1. Defining What we Mean by “Islamic Countries in the World”
Before we count and name, we must clarify: what does “Islamic country” really mean?
One possible definition: a country where more than 50% of the population are Muslims. By this, we speak of “Muslim-majority countries”. According to one source: “There are currently approximately 50 Muslim-majority countries in the world.” World Population Review
Another definition: a country that declares Islam as its state religion or otherwise defines its constitution/governance in explicitly Islamic terms. For example, a report lists “23 countries where Islam is declared the state religion”. USCIRF
A third broader sense: the countries of the “Muslim / Islamic world” — the societies where Islam is a dominant cultural, legal or religious force. But scholars caution that there are no fully agreed criteria for this term: “In a modern geopolitical sense … countries where Islam is widespread, although there are no agreed criteria for inclusion.” Encyclopedia Pub
Therefore when we speak of “how many Islamic countries in the world”, we must specify:
How many Muslim-majority countries (≥ 50% Muslim)
How many countries officially Islamic / state religion Islam
And we may mention the broader group of countries where Islam plays a dominant role culturally or demographically.
Practical tip for you (reader): When someone quotes a number (e.g., “57 Islamic countries”), ask: Are they meaning OIC membership? Are they meaning Muslim-majority? Are they meaning state religion? Because the number depends on the definition.
2. How many Muslim-Majority Countries are there in the World?
Let’s look at the numbers.
2.1 Key Statistics
One source says: “There are currently approximately 50 Muslim-majority countries in the world, though the precise number differs slightly depending upon the source.” World Population Review
Another source states: “In 2020, there were 53 Muslim-majority countries.” Wikipedia
A third site says: “There are about 50 countries in the world where the majority of the population is Muslim.” Nations Online
The inter-governmental body Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) currently has 57 member states. Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkey+1
2.2 What these numbers mean in ratio
If the world has around ~200 sovereign states (UN member states plus some others) then ~50 suggests about 25% of all countries are Muslim-majority.
If in 2020 there were ~53, this indicates the number might rise slowly (due to demographic change) or differ by definition.
Because data depend on latest censuses, definitions of majority, and whether territories are included.
3. Which Countries are they? Names and Brief Classification
3.1 Major examples
Here are some prominent Muslim-majority countries you should know and often mention:
Indonesia – the largest Muslim-majority country by population. Data Pandas+1
Pakistan – second in terms of large Muslim population. WorldAtlas+1
Bangladesh – similarly large. Nations Online+1
Egypt – major Arab/muslim-majority country. Nations Online+1
Iran – majority Shia Muslim; officially an Islamic Republic. Nations Online
Turkey – majority Muslim. Nations Online
Country Region Approximate Muslim Population (%)
Indonesia Southeast Asia ~84% (largest Muslim population)
Pakistan South Asia ~92%
Bangladesh South Asia ~91%
Egypt North Africa / Middle East ~90%
Turkey West Asia ~99%
Iran West Asia ~99% (majority Shia)
Saudi Arabia Middle East ~90%+
Morocco North Africa ~99%
Algeria North Africa ~99%
Tunisia North Africa ~99%
Jordan Middle East ~97%
Mauritania West Africa ~99%
Saudi Arabia – core-Islamic state with very high Muslim % and official Islamic identity. Nations Online
3.2 A Table of Selected Muslim-Majority Countries
Here’s a sample table showing approximately twelve Muslim-majority countries with their regional classification and estimated Muslim population percentages.
Note: Percentages are approximate and may vary slightly depending on the source and census year.
3.2 A Table of Selected Muslim-Majority Countries
Note: Percentages are approximate and may vary slightly depending on the source and census year.
3.3 Full list consideration & OIC membership
4. Why the Numbers Vary & Things to Watch
4.1 Variation in Criteria
Some lists include territories (e.g., Western Sahara) which may be disputed. World Population Review
Some use “Muslim-majority” (≥50%), others use higher thresholds (≥90%). Nations Online
Some include countries where Islam is official religion even if minority percentages differ.
Some sources are old; demographic change (birth rates, migration) shifts percentages.
4.2 Latest Demographic Estimates
According to a recent estimate: as of 2025, Muslims make up approximately 24.1% of the global population, about 2 billion people. IslamiCity+1
The regional concentration is shifting: e.g., in sub-Saharan Africa the share of Muslims rose. Pew Research Center