Future Projections: Hindu Population Growth Across Various Nations
According to research conducted by a prominent American think tank, significant growth in the Hindu population is anticipated in several countries over the coming decades. By the year 2050, it is projected that Hindus will constitute approximately 15% of the global population.
India is expected to have the largest Hindu population, potentially reaching 1.297 billion by 2050. Besides India, other nations where the Hindu population is likely to increase include the following.
Following India, Nepal ranks second, with an estimated Hindu population of 38.12 million. According to the 2011 census, around 81.3% of the Nepalese identified as Hindu. This nation was previously declared a Hindu state until it transitioned to a secular state in recent years.
Bangladesh comes in third on this list. The 2011 census indicated that Hindus are a minority in this country, making up about 8.96% of the population. However, the Hindu population is expected to grow significantly in the future.
Pakistan is projected to have the fourth-largest Hindu population, estimated at around 5.63 million. Unfortunately, the current situation for Hindus in Pakistan is quite challenging.
The United States is expected to rank fifth, with the Pew Research Center estimating that by 2050, the Hindu population will reach 4.78 million. In 2015, the Hindu population in the U.S. was recorded at 2.23 million.
In Indonesia, the Hindu population is projected to be 4.15 million by 2050. Although Indonesia is predominantly Muslim, the Hindu community is experiencing growth.
Besides the aforementioned countries, the Pew Research Center also notes potential increases in the Hindu populations of Sri Lanka, Malaysia, the United Kingdom, and Canada. The research indicates that not only Hindus but also Christians and Muslims will see significant population growth, with projections suggesting that by the future, the populations of Christians and Muslims may become nearly equal for the first time.
Currently, Indonesia has the highest Muslim population, with approximately 219.96 million Muslims. India follows as the second-largest Muslim population, with around 194.81 million. According to Pew Research, by 2060, India is expected to become the country with the largest Muslim population, reaching approximately 333.09 million.
By 2060, it is projected that 96.5% of Pakistan's total population will be Muslim, with Nigeria expected to have the third-largest Muslim population at around 283.1 million.