A Pew Research poll predicts that, based on current trends, the number of Muslims worldwide will be nearly equal to the number of Christians by 2050. In conversations, you might hear this statement as proof that Islam is growing and other religions (such as Christianity) are quickly declining. But such a conclusion is misleading and does not take into consideration a number of realities happening throughout the Muslim world.
Research reveals the cultural tendencies in Muslim families, not the attractiveness of Islam itself, explains the demographic surge. The growing number of Muslims is not primarily caused by conversion but is due instead to Muslim families producing more children. The higher rela-tive birth-rate occurs for various social and religious reasons, including the fact that, in most Muslim-dominant societies, women have few opportunities outside the home.
Of course, some converts are choosing Islam—but we should acknowledge recent research demonstrating that conversion works in two directions.
Consider the Muslim popu-lation in the United States. In January 2018, a Pew Research study declared that the number of converts to Islam almost equa-lled the number who abandoned the faith. Thus, there was virtua-lly no net growth at all. This study also found that about 25% of adult Muslims raised in the United States no longer identified as Muslims.
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Catholics number 1,344,403,000, 17.74% of the world population
Catholics numbered 1,344,403,000 as of 31 December 2019, up by 15,410,000 over the previous year, while the world popu-lation stood at 7,577,777,000, up by 81,383,000 over the same period, Agenzia Fides reported to mark the 95th World Mission Day, which will be celebrated on 24 October.
The increase touches every continent, except Europe (-292,000). As in the past, the highest increases were reported in Africa (+8,302,000), Americas (+5,373,000), Asia (+1,909,000), and Oceania (+118,000).
The worldwide percentage of Catholics increased compared to the previous year, reaching 17.74 per cent. With respect to the continents, variations are minimal: increases in Africa (+0.14), Asia (+0.02), and the Americas (+0.09); decrease in Europe (-0.05); no change in Oceania.
The number of Bishops dropped by 13 to 5,364. Dio-cesan Bishops gained 12 new members, but religious bisho-ps declined by 25. Diocesan Bishops increased in Africa (+11), Asia (+5), Europe (+4) and Oceania (+2); decreased only in America (-10). Religious Bishops declined on all continents: Africa (-6), America (-7), Asia (-5), Europe (-4) and Oceania (-3). The total number of priests in the world went up, to 414,336 (+271). Europe again reported a major drop (-2,608) as did the Americas (-690) and Oceania (-69). Increases were reported in Africa (+1,649) and Asia (+1,989).
Permanent deacons also increased (+734) to 48,238. The largest gain was in the Americas (+562), followed by Europe (+177), Oceania (+5), Africa (+1), decreasing only in Asia (-11).