Islam is set to overtake Christianity as the world's biggest religion by 2070, BBC News explains

Islam is expected to overtake Christianity by 2070
(Image credit: BBC News)

Christianity is the world's largest religion, but Islam is growing faster — and, according to Pew Research Center, Muslims will outnumber Christians by 2070.

If Islam brings to mind Syria, Sudan, or the Arabian Peninsula, BBC News reminds everyone that the largest Muslim country is actually Indonesia — though by 2050, India is projected to have that distinction, with 311 million Muslims (and a greater number of Hindus). Similarly, Europe won't be the center of Christianity by 2050 — less than half the populations of France and Britain will be Christian, while 10 percent of Europe will be Muslim, versus 2 percent of the U.S. In fact, 40 percent of the world's Christians will live in sub-Saharan Africa, BBC Monitoring says. For more context, watch the short BBC report below. Peter Weber

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Peter Weber, The Week US

Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.