Counting countries seems like it should be easy. You look at a map, you count the dots, and you're done. But when someone asks how many Islamic countries are there, the answer depends entirely on who you ask and what "Islamic" actually means to them. Are we talking about countries where everyone is Muslim? Or places where the law is based on the Quran? Or maybe just countries that joined a specific club?
Honestly, most people get the number wrong because they confuse "Muslim-majority" with "Islamic state." They aren't the same thing.
The Official Count: The 57 Members of the OIC
If you want a hard number to win a trivia night, the answer is 57. That is the number of member states in the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC). This is basically the "United Nations of the Muslim world." It’s a massive bloc that spans four continents.
But here is the kicker: not all of them are actually "Islamic" in the way you might think.
Take Guyana or Suriname in South America, for example. They are full members of the OIC, but their Muslim populations are actually quite small—around 7% to 10%. They joined primarily for economic ties and South-South cooperation. On the flip side, India has over 210 million Muslims—making it home to the third-largest Muslim population on the planet—yet it isn't an OIC member at all.
So, if you’re looking for a diplomatic answer, the number is 57. But if you’re looking for a demographic answer, it’s a lot more complicated than a single list.
📖 Related: Live News Spokane WA: What Most People Get Wrong
The "Islamic State" vs. State Religion
This is where things get kind of technical, but stay with me. There’s a huge difference between a country that has Muslims and a country that defines itself by Islam.
True Islamic States
There are only about 8 countries that are considered "Islamic States" in a constitutional sense. These nations have adopted Islam as the fundamental ideological basis for their entire government and legal system.
- Saudi Arabia (The most well-known example)
- Iran
- Pakistan
- Afghanistan
- Mauritania
- Oman
- Yemen
- Brunei
In these places, the constitution is often directly tied to Sharia law. It's the "official" identity of the land.
Countries with a State Religion
Then you have a second group. These are countries where the constitution says "Islam is the state religion," but the government itself might function with a mix of civil and religious laws. There are roughly 15 to 20 of these, including Egypt, Jordan, Morocco, and Malaysia.
In Malaysia, for example, Islam is the official religion, but the country is a multi-ethnic democracy with a legal system based on English common law. It's a "state religion" label, but the day-to-day vibe is very different from, say, Saudi Arabia.
Why the Numbers Keep Changing
If you looked at a map in 2010 and then again in 2026, the "Muslim-majority" list would look slightly different. Birth rates and migration are shifting the scales.
🔗 Read more: Kentucky Flood Maps: What Most People Get Wrong About Their Risk
Right now, Indonesia holds the title for the largest Muslim population in the world, with roughly 240 million people. But experts at the Pew Research Center have been pointing out for a while that Pakistan is on track to overtake them. It's a demographic race that has more to do with sociology than theology.
Also, we can't ignore the secular states. Countries like Turkey, Azerbaijan, and many Central Asian nations like Kazakhstan are over 90% Muslim, yet their constitutions are strictly secular. They specifically separate "mosque and state." So, if you're counting "Islamic countries," do they count? If you mean "countries where Muslims live," yes. If you mean "theocratic governments," absolutely not.
Regional Breakdown: It’s Not Just the Middle East
One of the biggest misconceptions is that "Islamic" equals "Middle Eastern."
Wrong.
Only about 20% of the world's Muslims live in the Arab world. The vast majority—over 60%—live in the Asia-Pacific region.
- Africa: Countries like Nigeria and Senegal are seeing massive growth. In fact, Nigeria is roughly split 50/50 between Christians and Muslims, making it one of the most religiously diverse OIC members.
- Europe: Albania is the only OIC member physically located in Europe, though countries like Bosnia and Herzegovina hold "observer" status.
- The Americas: As mentioned, Guyana and Suriname represent the Western Hemisphere in the OIC.
How many Islamic countries are there really?
If you're writing a report or just curious, here is the breakdown of how to think about the "total":
- Diplomatic Count: 57 (OIC Member States).
- Theocratic Count: 8 (True Islamic States where the religion is the law).
- Demographic Count: Around 46 to 50 (Countries where Muslims make up more than 50% of the population).
It’s a mosaic. Some are wealthy oil nations in the Gulf; others are developing economies in Sub-Saharan Africa or bustling hubs in Southeast Asia.
Actionable Insights for Researching This Topic
If you are trying to get a handle on this for a project or travel, don't just look at the percentage of the population. Look at the Constitution. A country with a 99% Muslim population can be more secular than a country with 60% if the laws are written that way.
Always check the current status of the OIC (Organisation of Islamic Cooperation) for the most up-to-date diplomatic list. As of 2026, memberships can be suspended or reinstated based on political stability, as we saw with Syria's recent history in the organization.
When you're trying to figure out how many Islamic countries are there, remember that the "official" list of 57 is the standard for international politics, but the "theocratic" list of 8 is what people usually mean when they talk about "Islamic states."