Complete And Comprehencive Guide For Readers
Introduction
Islam is one of the world’s largest religions, with a following of more than 1.9 billion. Yet when individuals ask, “How many Muslim countries are there?” it is not as straightforward as that. Some are formally Islamic states, but others have big Muslim populations without being an Islamic state.
There are 57 member states to the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) today. They stretch from Asia, Africa, and Europe to even the Americas, a testament to the global nature of Islam. Click On.https://subhowto.com/wp-admin/post.php?post=268&action=edit
How Many Muslim Countries Are There?
Currently, there are 57 member countries in the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), the second-largest intergovernmental organization after the United Nations. These 57 nations are commonly recognized as the Muslim countries of the world because Islam plays a key role in their identity, governance, or demographics.
However, not all of them are officially “Islamic states.” Some countries, like Indonesia, Turkey, and Bangladesh, have secular governments but Muslim-majority populations. Others, like Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, and Iran, are Islamic republics where Islam is deeply embedded in the constitution and legal system.
Distribution of Muslim Countries by Region
The Muslim world is spread across Asia, Africa, and parts of Europe. Here’s a breakdown:
- Middle East & North Africa (MENA): Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Iraq, Morocco, and others.
- South Asia: Pakistan, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, Maldives.
- Southeast Asia: Indonesia, Malaysia, Brunei.
- Sub-Saharan Africa: Nigeria, Somalia, Sudan, Senegal.
- Europe (partially): Albania, Kosovo, and Turkey (straddling Europe and Asia).
This wide distribution shows that the Islamic world is not limited to the Middle East but is a truly global community.
Largest Muslim Country by Population
The largest Muslim country is Indonesia, with more than 285 million Muslims—around 13% of the global Muslim population. Surprisingly, many people assume it’s Saudi Arabia or Pakistan, but Indonesia leads by a wide margin.
Other countries with large Muslim populations include:
- Pakistan (255 million)
- India (1.46 billion, though not a Muslim-majority country)
- Bangladesh (170 million)
- Nigeria (237 million)
Importance of Muslim Countries in the World
Muslim countries hold significant influence in terms of:
- Economy: Oil-rich nations like Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and UAE play a vital role in global energy markets.
- Culture: Islamic architecture, art, and traditions enrich global heritage.
- Geopolitics: Many Muslim countries are strategically located, impacting international trade and security.
- Religion: Sacred sites like Makkah, Madinah, and Jerusalem attract millions of pilgrims each year.digiskills.com
Misconceptions About Muslim Countries
Many people assume that all Muslim countries are alike, but that’s far from reality. Some are monarchies (Saudi Arabia, Jordan), others are democracies (Indonesia, Malaysia, Turkey), while a few are theocracies (Iran, Afghanistan under Taliban).
This diversity highlights that the Islamic world is not monolithic but varied in culture, politics, and traditions.
Final Thoughts
So, how many Muslim countries are there? The widely accepted answer is 57 Muslim-majority nations under the OIC, but the influence of Islam goes beyond borders. From Indonesia in Southeast Asia to Morocco in North Africa, the Muslim world is vast, diverse, and deeply connected to global progress.
📊 List of All 57 Muslim Countries (with Capitals, Population & Region)
| Country | Capital | Population (2025 est.) | Region |
|---|---|---|---|
| Afghanistan | Kabul | 44M | South Asia |
| Albania | Tirana | 3M | Europe |
| Algeria | Algiers | 46M | North Africa |
| Azerbaijan | Baku | 10M | Caucasus/Asia |
| Bahrain | Manama | 2M | Middle East |
| Bangladesh | Dhaka | 170M | South Asia |
| Benin | Porto-Novo | 14M | West Africa |
| Brunei | Bandar Seri Begawan | 0.5M | Southeast Asia |
| Burkina Faso | Ouagadougou | 24M | West Africa |
| Cameroon | Yaoundé | 29M | Central Africa |
| Chad | N’Djamena | 20M | Central Africa |
| Comoros | Moroni | 1M | East Africa (Island) |
| Djibouti | Djibouti City | 1.2M | East Africa |
| Egypt | Cairo | 116M | North Africa |
| Gabon | Libreville | 2.5M | Central Africa |
| Gambia | Banjul | 2.9M | West Africa |
| Guinea | Conakry | 15M | West Africa |
| Guinea-Bissau | Bissau | 2M | West Africa |
| Guyana (observer) | Georgetown | 0.8M | South America |
| Indonesia | Jakarta | 285M | Southeast Asia |
| Iran | Tehran | 88M | Middle East |
| Iraq | Baghdad | 46M | Middle East |
| Jordan | Amman | 12M | Middle East |
| Kazakhstan | Astana | 20M | Central Asia |
| Kuwait | Kuwait City | 5M | Middle East |
| Kyrgyzstan | Bishkek | 7M | Central Asia |
| Lebanon | Beirut | 5.5M | Middle East |
| Libya | Tripoli | 7M | North Africa |
| Malaysia | Kuala Lumpur | 34M | Southeast Asia |
| Maldives | Malé | 0.6M | South Asia (Island) |
| Mali | Bamako | 24M | West Africa |
| Mauritania | Nouakchott | 5M | West Africa |
| Morocco | Rabat | 38M | North Africa |
| Mozambique | Maputo | 35M | East Africa |
| Niger | Niamey | 28M | West Africa |
| Nigeria | Abuja | 237M | West Africa |
| Oman | Muscat | 5.5M | Middle East |
| Pakistan | Islamabad | 255M | South Asia |
| Palestine | East Jerusalem | 5M | Middle East |
| Qatar | Doha | 3M | Middle East |
| Saudi Arabia | Riyadh | 37M | Middle East |
| Senegal | Dakar | 19M | West Africa |
| Sierra Leone | Freetown | 9M | West Africa |
| Somalia | Mogadishu | 18M | East Africa |
| Sudan | Khartoum | 48M | North Africa |
| Suriname (observer) | Paramaribo | 0.6M | South America |
| Syria | Damascus | 23M | Middle East |
| Tajikistan | Dushanbe | 10M | Central Asia |
| Togo | Lomé | 9M | West Africa |
| Tunisia | Tunis | 13M | North Africa |
| Turkey | Ankara | 88M | Europe/Asia |
| Turkmenistan | Ashgabat | 7M | Central Asia |
| Uganda | Kampala | 49M | East Africa |
| United Arab Emirates | Abu Dhabi | 10M | Middle East |
| Uzbekistan | Tashkent | 35M | Central Asia |
| Yemen | Sana’a | 34M | Middle East |
✅ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. How many Muslim countries are there in the world?
There are 57 Muslim countries recognized under the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC).
2. Which country has the largest Muslim population?
Indonesia has the largest Muslim population, with over 230 million Muslims.
3. Is India a Muslim country?
No, India is not a Muslim-majority country, but it has one of the world’s largest Muslim populations (~200 million).
4. Are all Muslim countries Islamic states?
No. Some countries have secular governments but Muslim-majority populations, like Turkey and Indonesia.
5. Which are the richest Muslim countries?
Qatar, UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Brunei are among the wealthiest due to oil and gas resources.
6. How many Muslims live in Europe?
Over 44 million Muslims live in Europe, with significant populations in France, Germany, and the UK.
7. What is the smallest Muslim country?
The Maldives is the smallest Muslim-majority country, both in size and population.
8. Are there Muslim countries in Africa?
Yes, over 27 African countries are Muslim-majority, including Nigeria, Egypt, Sudan, and Senegal.
9. What is the role of the OIC?
The Organization of Islamic Cooperation works to promote solidarity, peace, and cooperation among Muslim nations.
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