Fact check: Which European country has the highest percentage of Muslim population?

1. Summary of the results

Based on the analyses provided, Cyprus currently has the highest percentage of Muslim population among European Union countries at 25.4% ^{[1] [2]}. This high percentage is primarily attributed to the historical presence of Turkish Cypriots in the northern part of the island ^[1].

However, the answer becomes more complex when considering all European countries, not just EU members. According to broader European data, several countries have significantly higher Muslim populations: Azerbaijan (95-100%), Turkey and Kosovo (90-95%), Albania and Bosnia and Herzegovina (50-55%), and North Macedonia (30-35%) ^[2].

Among other EU countries with notable Muslim populations, Bulgaria has 11.1%, France has 8.8%, Sweden has 8.1%, and Belgium has 7.6% ^[2].

2. Missing context/alternative viewpoints

The original question lacks important contextual distinctions that significantly affect the answer:

• Geographic scope ambiguity: The question doesn't specify whether it refers to EU countries only or all European countries, which dramatically changes the answer from Cyprus (25.4%) to Azerbaijan (95-100%) ^[2].
• Future demographic projections: The analyses reveal that current rankings may change substantially. Sweden is projected to potentially reach 20.5% by 2050 in a medium migration scenario, or even 30.6% in a high migration scenario, which would surpass Cyprus ^[1].
• Historical and geopolitical factors: The high Muslim population in Cyprus is specifically tied to the Turkish Cypriot community in the northern part of the island ^[1], representing a unique historical situation rather than recent migration patterns.
• Broader migration context: One analysis challenges common assumptions about refugee demographics, noting that in 2024, refugees originated from countries with diverse religious backgrounds, including predominantly Christian countries like Venezuela and Ukraine alongside predominantly Muslim countries ^[3].

3. Potential misinformation/bias in the original statement

The original question itself doesn't contain explicit misinformation, but its lack of geographic specificity could lead to misleading conclusions. Someone seeking to emphasize concerns about Muslim immigration might benefit from focusing only on EU statistics (highlighting Cyprus at 25.4%), while those wanting to minimize such concerns might point to the broader European context where several Balkan and Caucasus countries have much higher percentages due to historical factors rather than recent migration.

The question also omits the dynamic nature of demographic change, as evidenced by projections showing potential tripling of Muslim populations in some EU countries over the next 30 years ^[4]. This temporal dimension is crucial for understanding current versus future demographic landscapes in Europe.