Islam is not a new religion for Europe. For over a 1,000 years Muslims have been living in different parts of Europe. During the Ottoman-era Muslims settled in different regions that were spread across Albania, Bulgaria and Austria. In neighbouring countries in Caucasus, Muslims have a strong presence.
But Muslims appeared on the European street in mid-20th century. Later due to immigration from Turkey, North Africa and Asian countries like India, Pakistan & Bangladesh, the percentage of Muslims grew fast after 1980s.
Following is the list of European countries and their estimated 2010 Muslim Population with the percentage of population which professes Islam.
Cities like Belgium's capital Brussels, Malmo Stockholm [Sweden], Amsterdam [Holland], Cologne [Germany], Utrecht and Rotterdam [also Holland], Hague, Denmark's Copenhagen, London, Birmigham, Bradford, Leicester, Luton [UK] have 10-20% Muslim population.
The percentage may be higher in Rotterdam, Malmo, Amsterdam, Brussels and Marseilles where Muslims constitute20-30%. In Paris Muslims are almost 10% but Paris being a metropolitan city, their population is too high. Moscow also has an estimated 20% Muslim citizens.
Muslim countries in Europe
Europe has three Muslim majority nations: Albania [70% Muslim], Bosnia Herzegovina [50%] and Kosova [90%]. Among other countries with large Muslim population is Macedonia [33%], Montenegro [17%], Bulgaria [15%], Cyprus [22%], Georgia [12%] and Russia [12%]. Turkey is considerd in Asian country. Some breakway republics of former USSR including Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan are also Muslim dominated countries but are closer to Asian countries though some consider them as European nations.
For population of Muslims in other countries of Europe. See the table below:
Country Muslim Population Percentage
Austria 475,000 5.7
Belgium 638,000 6.0
Denmark 226,000 4.1
Finland 42,000 0.8
France 3,574,000 5.7
Germany 4,119,000 5.0
Greece 527,000 4.7
Ireland 43,000 0.9
Italy 1,583,000 2.6
Luxembourg 13,000 2.7
Netherlands 914,000 5.5
Norway 144,000 3.0
Portugal 22,000 0.2
Spain 1,021,000 2.3
Sweden 451,000 4.9
Switzerland 433,000 5.7
United Kingdom 2,869,000 4.6
Total: 17,094,000 [17 million]
The rise in Muslim population is not as fast and as dramatic as it is projected. The growth in Muslim population was due to immigration and larger families [more children] but recently the birth rate has fallen among Muslims and their population is not increasing as speedily as right-wing parties, politicians and press claim.
All European countries' figures are not mentioned in the above list.
Another link for Muslim Population in European Cities
Source: Pew Research Center's Forum on Religion & Public Life • Forthcoming Pew Forum Report, 2010 Website link
"their population is not increasing as speedily as right-wing parties, politicians and press claim."
ReplyDeleteDo you have any factual sources to discredit the analysis of others? Or is this just a matter of opinion according to you?
Right wing claims might be nonsense, but the increase in muslim population of Europe has been huge primarily because of immigration which continues. Even if the established muslim community birth rates are dropping they are still far higher than the host community. The Pakistani birth rate in the UK for example is 3% when the majority white community is around 0.4%. Also the preference for marrying within the family amongst Pakistanis in particular has resulted in over 30% of genetic defects in babies attributed to that community.
ReplyDeleteSo what do you suggest, exterminate the faster growing non-host communities?
DeleteHere in the US the Hispanic birth rate is almost 5X that of the white population and that of Muslims (6% I believe) is even greater than that, but we accept it and move on.
Its only when people such as yourself are AFRAID and take unproductive measures through legislative activism and bigotry to "keep them out," that the resentment and backlash ensues. Its better to let people be and worry about your own selves.
Hey muslim convert..
ReplyDeleteU r also converted by muslim n
U r a muslim because u could not fight for ua previous religion..
All muslim are converts ..afraid n insecure about them
I think Muslims population is still non threatening in Europe. If you only believe muslims as a threat of course. The questions is not about %? The main thing is how well muslim and non muslim will interact between them in near future. With social media and fast political change it's hard to tell how these group's image will develop in near future.
ReplyDeleteI think Muslims population is still non threatening in Europe. If you only believe muslims as a threat of course. The questions is not about %? The main thing is how well muslim and non muslim will interact between them in near future. With social media and fast political change it's hard to tell how these group's image will develop in near future.
ReplyDelete