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
