Estimates suggest that between 5 and 6.7 million Muslims live in France, representing approximately 8–10% of the total population. As of 2025, this constitutes the largest Muslim population in Europe, with a high concentration of youth and residents of North African descent, primarily located in cities like Paris, Marseille, and Lyon.
As of 2016, France and Germany have the highest numbers of Muslims in Europe. But in the medium migration scenario, the United Kingdom would surpass them, with a projected 13 million Muslims in 2050 (compared with a projected 12.6 million in France and 8.5 million in Germany).
While countries like Turkey and Azerbaijan have very high percentages, Russia has the largest total number of Muslims in Europe, followed by France, then Germany, with millions residing in each, although the percentage of Muslims relative to the total population is highest in countries like Kosovo, Albania, and Bosnia-Herzegovina.
The first Muslims came to France centuries ago - but the greatest number of Muslims came to France in the contemporary era, in the wake of the colonial wars of independence (1954 - 1962). The major Muslim population centres in France are Paris, Marseille, and Lyon and their outlying suburbs (banlieues).
France is home to one of the largest Muslim communities in Europe, making it relatively easy to find mosques and prayer facilities — especially in major cities such as Paris, Marseille, Lyon, and Lille. Many mosques are beautifully designed and welcoming to travellers.
The settlements with the largest numbers of Muslims are Birmingham, Bradford, London, Manchester and Leicester. There are also high numbers in Kirklees, Luton, Bolton, Slough, Rochdale and mill towns of Northern England like Oldham and Blackburn.
According to a 2022 report released by the government-appointed Interministerial Committee on Secularism, based on a poll conducted in cooperation with polling company Viavoice, approximately 48 percent of respondents in mainland France and overseas territories and departments identify as Roman Catholic, 4 percent ...
This is a list of mosques in France. As of 2015, there were approximately 2,300 mosques in France with a further 200 to 250 planned. It is difficult to say when the first mosque in France was built.
What are the biggest challenges for Muslims in the UK?
Many British had negative comments to say about the Muslims that had arrived in their country. This issue caused segregation between the two communities. Many of the Muslims were suffering because they couldn't find employment to support their families. In addition to discrimination and racism.
Islam is one of the most widely practiced religions in the world, with followers present in almost every country. Besides India, many nations have a significant Muslim population. But there is one country where there is not a single Muslim resident. Vatican City is the world's smallest independent country.
There are roughly 2,600 estimated mosques in the country. By comparison, there are roughly 45,000 Catholic Church buildings in France, to say nothing of Protestant churches, Jewish synagogues or temples to other faiths.
Over the past few years, unprecedented numbers of immigrants have left Muslim-majority countries to come to Europe, fleeing the carnage in Syria and the turmoil across North Africa.
Half of the estimated five million French Muslims are born or naturalized French citizens. Those of Algerian origin form the largest subgroup. Most arrived during the post-war economic boom: North African independence coincided with strong French demand for manual labor.
Yes, Edinburgh is a safe and welcoming city for Muslims, with a growing multicultural population and inclusive community values. The city is home to multiple mosques, Islamic centres, and halal restaurants.
Most British Arabs live in the Greater London area, and many are either businesspeople, recent immigrants, or students. There are also sizable and long-established Yemeni Arab communities living in both Cardiff and the South Shields area near Newcastle-upon-Tyne.
The countries with the most people reporting no belief in any sort of spirit, god, or higher power are France (40%), Czech Republic (37%), Sweden (34%), Netherlands (30%), Estonia (29%), Germany (27%), Belgium (27%) and Slovenia (26%).
