Socio-economic and demographic setting of Muslim populations

Abstract

This paper explores population dynamics and characteristics of Muslim populations to aid deeper understanding of the Muslim world. Having defined Muslim-majority countries and countries with large Muslim populations, the paper will first, explain demographic, social and economic characteristics of Muslim populations, and second, analyze demographic, social and economic characteristics of Muslim populations, and second, analyze demographic transition in the Muslim world. Population policies in Muslim-majority countries will then be examined. The analysis shows that Muslim populations are characterized by great ethnic and cultural diversity. Although on the whole, Muslim populations rank below the world’s average in levels of socio-economic development, there is a wide range of socio-economic conditions. Fertility transition has begun in most of these countries at some time over the past two decades, and in some, it has moved very rapidly. Because of the rapid population growth in many of the Muslim-majority countries, Muslims are expected to be climbing towards a quarter of the world’s population by the year 2025. Therefore, their demographic trends will have an important bearing on those of the world as a whole and their political and cultural influence on the world stage is likely to increase. Show more