Shia Population By Country

Shia Population by Country: Global Estimates, Rankings, and Distribution

Shia Muslims are the second-largest branch of Islam and form significant religious communities across the Middle East, South Asia, Central Asia, Africa, Europe, and North America. Iran has the world’s largest Shia Muslim population, while Pakistan, Iraq, and India are also home to some of the largest Shia communities.

The global distribution of Shia Muslims reflects centuries of religious scholarship, political history, migration, trade, and cultural development. Shia communities differ in their religious traditions, population sizes, regional concentrations, and relationships with the wider societies in which they live.

Determining the exact Shia population of every country is difficult because most national censuses do not distinguish between Sunni and Shia Muslims. Consequently, demographic researchers rely on surveys, historical studies, expert assessments, and estimates of religious affiliation.

This article examines the estimated Shia population by country, the countries with the largest Shia communities, the percentage of Muslims who identify as Shia, major branches of Shia Islam, and the limitations of available demographic data.

Global Shia Muslim Population

The Pew Research Center’s Mapping the Global Muslim Population report, published in October 2009, estimated that approximately 154 million to 200 million Shia Muslims lived worldwide at that time. The study estimated that Shias represented around 10–13% of the global Muslim population, compared with approximately 87–90% who were Sunni Muslims. These are historical estimates, not a current 2026 census. Source: Pew Research Center

The study found that approximately 68–80% of the world’s Shia Muslims lived in four countries: Iran, Pakistan, India, and Iraq. This concentration makes these countries particularly important when examining the global distribution of Shia communities.

The exact worldwide total remains uncertain because sectarian affiliation is not measured consistently across countries. Population growth since 2009 also means historical estimates should not automatically be presented as current figures.

Countries with the Largest Shia Populations

1. Iran

Iran has the world’s largest Shia Muslim population and is the principal demographic centre of Twelver Shia Islam. The country’s official religious tradition is Twelver Shia Islam, which has influenced its religious institutions, legal framework, scholarship, public ceremonies, and political history.

The city of Qom is a major centre of Shia theological education, while Mashhad is an important pilgrimage destination associated with Imam Ali al-Rida. Tehran and other major cities also have extensive Shia religious institutions.

Pew Research Center estimated Iran’s Shia population at approximately 66–70 million in 2009, representing around 90–95% of its Muslim population at that time. Iran’s population has grown since then, so this historical range should not be mistaken for a current census total.

Iran’s demographic significance extends beyond its borders because its religious seminaries, scholars, publishing institutions, and pilgrimage networks have international connections with Shia communities.

2. Pakistan

Pakistan has one of the largest Shia Muslim populations in the world. Most Pakistani Shias follow Twelver Shia Islam, while Ismaili communities are also present.

Shia Muslims live throughout Pakistan, including in major urban centres such as Karachi, Lahore, Islamabad, Rawalpindi, and Quetta. Significant communities are also found in Gilgit-Baltistan, parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and other regions.

Shia religious and cultural life includes mosques, imambargahs, religious schools, community organisations, and gatherings during Muharram. Ashura commemorations, associated with the martyrdom of Imam Husayn at Karbala, are particularly important to many Pakistani Shias.

Pew Research Center’s 2009 estimate placed Pakistan’s Shia population between 17 million and 26 million. World Population Review lists an approximate figure of 21.5 million. These numbers should be understood as estimates rather than a precise current count.

Pakistan’s position among the countries with the largest Shia communities is especially important because its total population is much larger than that of many Middle Eastern countries with substantial Shia populations.

3. Iraq

Iraq is one of the most important historical and religious centres of Shia Islam. Its Shia population is concentrated in several parts of the country, particularly in central and southern regions.

Najaf is a major centre of Shia scholarship and is associated with the shrine of Imam Ali ibn Abi Talib. Karbala is another major pilgrimage city, associated with the martyrdom of Imam Husayn and his companions in 680 CE.

Other cities, including Kadhimiya in Baghdad and Samarra, hold important places in Shia religious history. Pilgrimage events, religious education, family traditions, and local institutions contribute to the continuity of Shia religious life in Iraq.

Pew Research Center estimated Iraq’s Shia population at approximately 19–22 million in 2009, representing around 65–70% of its Muslim population. These are historical figures, and current population estimates may differ.

Iraq’s Shia communities have played an important role in the country’s political, social, and religious development. However, religious affiliation alone does not determine an individual’s political views, religious practice, or social identity.

4. India

India has one of the world’s largest Muslim populations and a substantial Shia community. Indian Shias include Twelvers, Ismailis, and other communities with different historical and religious traditions.

Shia communities are found in Uttar Pradesh, particularly Lucknow, as well as in Hyderabad, Jammu and Kashmir, and numerous other cities and regions. Lucknow developed a particularly strong association with Shia religious scholarship, architecture, poetry, and Muharram traditions during the period of the Nawabs of Awadh.

Indian Shia heritage includes historic imambaras, mosques, religious literature, commemorative gatherings, and distinctive artistic traditions. The community’s history is connected to wider developments in Persianate culture, regional kingdoms, trade, and scholarly exchange.

Pew Research Center’s 2009 estimate placed India’s Shia population between 16 million and 24 million. World Population Review lists an approximate figure of 20 million. These estimates are not a current official count.

India’s large overall population means that even a minority share of its Muslim population can represent tens of millions of people.

5. Turkey

Turkey has several Muslim communities whose religious identities require careful distinction. These include Twelver Shias and Alevis, but Alevi identity should not automatically be treated as equivalent to Twelver Shia affiliation.

Alevi traditions have their own religious practices, communal institutions, historical experiences, and understandings of Islamic spirituality. Scholars and demographic sources differ in how they classify Alevis in broad Sunni–Shia comparisons.

Twelver Shia communities also live in Turkey, including people with family and historical connections to neighbouring countries. The country’s geographic position has made it a meeting point for different Islamic traditions.

Pew Research Center estimated Turkey’s Shia population at approximately 7–11 million in 2009 under the categories used in its study. World Population Review lists an approximate figure of 9 million. These figures depend on classification and should not be used as a definitive count of all Alevis or all Shia-identifying people.

6. Yemen

Yemen has a long history of Zaydi Shia Islam, especially in the northern highlands. Zaydi traditions developed distinctive approaches to religious leadership and jurisprudence that differ from Twelver Shia theology.

Zaydism has influenced Yemen’s religious scholarship, political history, and social institutions for centuries. Zaydi communities have historically been concentrated in northern areas, although the country’s religious and regional landscape is diverse.

Yemen also has Sunni Muslim communities, particularly associated with Shafi’i jurisprudence. Religious identities can overlap with regional, tribal, and political affiliations, but these categories should not be treated as interchangeable.

Pew Research Center estimated Yemen’s Shia population at approximately 8–10 million in 2009. World Population Review lists an approximate figure of 9 million. The figures are estimates and should be interpreted in light of the age and limitations of the underlying data.

7. Azerbaijan

Azerbaijan is a major Shia-majority Muslim country in the South Caucasus. Twelver Shia Islam has a long historical presence there, shaped by regional dynasties, Persianate cultural influences, and developments in the Caucasus.

Shia religious heritage can be seen in historic mosques, pilgrimage sites, religious commemorations, and community traditions. Baku and other urban centres contain important religious and cultural institutions.

Pew Research Center estimated Azerbaijan’s Shia population at approximately 5–7 million in 2009. World Population Review lists an approximate figure of 6 million.

Religious identification and religious practice are not always the same. As in other countries, some Azerbaijanis may identify with a Shia cultural heritage without practising all religious observances regularly.

8. Nigeria

Nigeria has one of Africa’s largest Muslim populations and a Shia community that has received increased attention in discussions of the country’s religious diversity.

Nigerian Shia communities include followers of Twelver Shia Islam, with significant activity in parts of northern Nigeria. Religious organisations, educational networks, and commemorative gatherings contribute to community life.

Estimating the number of Nigerian Shias is difficult because available national demographic data do not provide a comprehensive, regularly updated count by Islamic denomination. Pew Research Center’s 2009 study placed the population below four million, while World Population Review lists an approximate figure of four million.

These estimates should not be interpreted as precise measurements. Differences in methodology and the reference year can produce substantially different figures.

9. Afghanistan

Afghanistan has a long-established Shia population, including many Hazaras who predominantly follow Twelver Shia Islam. Shia communities also include Ismailis and other groups.

Shia populations have historically been present in central Afghanistan, Kabul, Herat, and other areas. Their experiences have been shaped by the country’s ethnic diversity, political changes, migration, and regional history.

Religious identity and ethnic identity are not identical categories. Although many Hazaras are Shia, not all Shias in Afghanistan are Hazaras, and demographic estimates should avoid treating the two categories as interchangeable.

Pew Research Center estimated Afghanistan’s Shia population at approximately 3–4 million in 2009. World Population Review lists an approximate figure of 3.5 million. Current figures are uncertain and may be affected by migration and demographic change.

10. Syria

Syria’s religious landscape includes Sunni Muslims, Alawites, Twelver Shias, Ismailis, Christians, Druze, and other communities. These groups have distinct histories and should not automatically be combined into a single Shia category.

Twelver Shia communities have historic connections to religious sites in Damascus and other areas. The Sayyidah Zaynab shrine near Damascus is an important pilgrimage destination for many Shia Muslims.

Alawite religious identity has a separate historical development, and the classification of Alawites within broad Sunni–Shia demographic categories varies by source. A population estimate can therefore change depending on whether a study counts only Twelver Shias or uses a broader definition.

Pew Research Center estimated Syria’s Shia population at approximately 3–4 million in 2009. World Population Review lists an approximate figure of 3.5 million. These numbers should be treated as historical demographic estimates rather than a current count.

11. Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia has a Shia Muslim minority, with important communities concentrated in the Eastern Province. Shia Muslims have historic connections to towns and settlements in the region, as well as to religious and family networks across the Gulf.

Most Saudi Shias are generally associated with Twelver Shia Islam, although the country’s religious landscape includes other communities and traditions.

Pew Research Center estimated the country’s Shia population at approximately 2–4 million in 2009. World Population Review lists an approximate figure of 3 million. Because publicly available census information does not provide a definitive current Shia count, these figures remain estimates.

12. Lebanon

Lebanon has a diverse religious population that includes Shia and Sunni Muslims, Christians, Druze, and other communities. Shia Muslims form one of the country’s major religious communities.

Shia communities have longstanding roots in southern Lebanon, the Beqaa Valley, Beirut, and other areas. Religious institutions, scholarly traditions, family networks, and political developments have shaped the community’s modern history.

Lebanon’s demographic composition is particularly difficult to quantify because the country has not conducted a comprehensive modern population census that provides a definitive current breakdown of religious affiliation.

Pew Research Center estimated Lebanon’s Shia population at approximately 1–2 million in 2009. World Population Review lists an approximate figure of 1.5 million. These figures should be understood as estimates, not official contemporary census totals.

Shia Population in Other Countries

Shia Muslims are also present in countries where they represent a smaller share of the total population. These communities may have developed through centuries of trade and religious scholarship or through more recent migration.

Bahrain

Bahrain has a substantial Shia Muslim population and a long history of Shia religious institutions. Pew Research Center estimated the Shia share of the country’s Muslim population at approximately 65–75% in 2009. The estimate should be treated as historical because a definitive current count by denomination is not available.

Kuwait

Kuwait has an established Shia Muslim community, including families with long-standing connections to the Gulf region and neighbouring countries. Shia mosques, religious centres, and community institutions form part of the country’s religious landscape.

Pew Research Center estimated the Shia population at approximately 500,000–700,000 in 2009.

Oman

Oman’s religious diversity includes Ibadi, Sunni, and Shia Muslim communities. Ibadi Islam is a distinct Islamic tradition and should not be classified as either Sunni or Shia without qualification.

Pew Research Center estimated Oman’s Shia population at approximately 100,000–300,000 in 2009. Estimates vary depending on the sources and classifications used.

United Arab Emirates

The United Arab Emirates has Shia communities among citizens and residents, including people with family connections to Iran, Iraq, South Asia, and other regions. The country’s large expatriate population makes it particularly difficult to estimate religious communities without specifying whether the figures include citizens, long-term residents, or all residents.

Pew Research Center estimated the Shia population at approximately 300,000–400,000 in 2009.

Qatar

Qatar has a Shia Muslim community alongside its Sunni Muslim majority and a large expatriate population. The exact size of the community is difficult to determine from publicly available data.

Pew Research Center estimated the Shia population at around 100,000 in 2009. This figure is a historical estimate rather than a current official count.

Tajikistan

Tajikistan has Shia communities, including Ismailis in the Gorno-Badakhshan region. Many Pamiri communities in this region have historical and religious connections to Nizari Ismaili Islam.

Pew Research Center estimated the country’s Shia population at around 400,000 in 2009. This figure illustrates why it is important to distinguish between Twelver Shia and Ismaili communities when analysing religious demographics.

Tanzania

Tanzania has Shia communities, including people with historical links to Indian Ocean trade and migration. Ismaili and other Shia communities have contributed to the religious and commercial history of coastal East Africa.

Pew Research Center estimated the country’s Shia population at fewer than two million in 2009. The broad estimate reflects the limitations of the available demographic evidence.

United States

The United States has Shia Muslim communities in major metropolitan areas, including people with family backgrounds in South Asia, the Middle East, Africa, and other regions.

Community institutions include mosques, Islamic centres, religious schools, and organisations that serve different Shia traditions. Population estimates depend on migration history, survey coverage, and whether the research distinguishes between Shia and other Muslim identities.

Pew Research Center estimated the US Shia population at approximately 200,000–400,000 in 2009. This is a historical estimate and should not be presented as a verified current total.

United Kingdom

The United Kingdom has Shia communities with roots in South Asia, Iraq, Iran, Lebanon, East Africa, and other regions. London, Birmingham, Manchester, and other cities contain mosques, community centres, and religious institutions associated with different Shia traditions.

Pew Research Center estimated the Shia population at approximately 100,000–300,000 in 2009. More recent estimates may differ, and the country does not have a comprehensive official census count of Shia Muslims.

Germany

Germany has Shia communities that include migrants, refugees, students, and families with connections to the Middle East and South Asia. Religious centres and community organisations support a range of Shia traditions.

Pew Research Center estimated Germany’s Shia population at approximately 400,000–600,000 in 2009. The figure should be treated as historical and may not reflect later migration or changes in the country’s population.

Shia Population by Region

Middle East

The Middle East is central to Shia history and demography. Iran and Iraq are the most prominent centres of Twelver Shia Islam, while Yemen has a significant Zaydi tradition. Lebanon, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Syria, and the United Arab Emirates also have Shia communities.

The region contains several important religious centres, including Najaf, Karbala, Qom, Mashhad, and the Sayyidah Zaynab shrine near Damascus. These sites connect local populations with wider international pilgrimage and scholarly networks.

However, the Middle East should not be treated as uniformly Shia or uniformly Sunni. The region’s religious composition varies substantially from one country to another.

South Asia

South Asia contains some of the largest Shia communities outside Iran and Iraq. Pakistan and India are particularly important because their large overall populations translate into substantial Shia populations even where Shias form a minority of the national Muslim population.

Afghanistan also has an established Shia population, including Twelver and Ismaili communities. South Asian Shia history includes religious scholarship, poetry, architecture, pilgrimage, and connections with Persianate and regional cultural traditions.

Central Asia and the Caucasus

Azerbaijan has a large Shia population, while Tajikistan has Ismaili communities, particularly in Gorno-Badakhshan. Other parts of Central Asia and the Caucasus have smaller communities whose numbers are difficult to establish precisely.

Religious identities in these regions have been influenced by historical empires, trade routes, local traditions, state policies, and migration.

Africa

Africa has Shia communities in Nigeria, Tanzania, and other countries. Their historical roots differ: some are associated with local religious movements and scholarship, while others developed through Indian Ocean trade, migration, and international community networks.

The size of African Shia populations is particularly uncertain in countries where surveys do not distinguish religious denomination. Estimates should therefore be used cautiously.

Europe and North America

Shia communities in Europe and North America include people whose families migrated from the Middle East, South Asia, Africa, and other regions. Some communities have existed for generations, while others have grown through more recent migration.

Religious centres, community associations, educational institutions, and cultural events help maintain religious traditions across national boundaries. Population estimates depend on migration data, survey methodology, and the availability of information about religious identity.

Major Branches of Shia Islam

Shia Islam contains several major branches with different understandings of religious leadership and the Imamate. The principal traditions include Twelver Shia Islam, Ismaili Shia Islam, and Zaydi Shia Islam.

Twelver Shia Islam

Twelver Shia Islam, also known as Ithna Ashari Islam, is the largest branch of Shia Islam. Its followers recognise twelve Imams, beginning with Ali ibn Abi Talib and ending with Muhammad al-Mahdi, whom Twelvers believe is in occultation.

Twelver communities are particularly prominent in Iran, Iraq, Azerbaijan, Lebanon, Pakistan, and India. They also exist in Afghanistan, the Gulf states, Europe, Africa, and North America.

Twelver religious scholarship places significant emphasis on the Qur’an, the teachings attributed to the Prophet Muhammad and the Imams, jurisprudence, and theological interpretation. The structure of religious authority and the role of scholars have developed differently across historical periods and regions.

Ismaili Shia Islam

Ismaili Shia Islam developed through a different line of succession in the Imamate following Ja’far al-Sadiq. Ismaili communities include several traditions, among them Nizari and Musta’li branches.

Ismailis live in South Asia, Central Asia, the Middle East, Africa, Europe, and North America. Nizari Ismaili communities have established institutions in multiple countries, while other Ismaili traditions have their own distinctive histories and geographical distributions.

Estimating the total Ismaili population is difficult because national censuses rarely identify the denomination separately. Estimates may also differ depending on whether sources count specific branches or combine them under the broader Ismaili category.

Zaydi Shia Islam

Zaydi Shia Islam is historically associated with Yemen. Zaydi traditions have distinctive approaches to the Imamate and religious jurisprudence and differ in several respects from Twelver and Ismaili traditions.

Zaydi communities have played an important role in Yemen’s religious and political history. Their geographical concentration and historical institutions make Yemen particularly important in any detailed examination of Shia population distribution.

How Shia Muslims Differ from Sunni Muslims

Sunni and Shia Islam share the central foundations of Islam, including belief in one God, the Qur’an, and the prophethood of Muhammad. Both traditions contain extensive scholarly, legal, devotional, and spiritual traditions.

The historical distinction emerged from disagreements over leadership following the death of the Prophet Muhammad in 632 CE. Over time, these differences developed into distinct understandings of religious authority, the Imamate, jurisprudence, and aspects of religious practice.

Shia Islam places particular importance on the role of Ali ibn Abi Talib and the Prophet’s family, known as the Ahl al-Bayt, although the precise understanding of authority differs among Shia branches.

Sunni Islam developed its own traditions of scholarship and legal interpretation, including the Hanafi, Maliki, Shafi’i, and Hanbali schools of jurisprudence.

Neither Sunni nor Shia identity should be used to assume an individual’s political beliefs, cultural background, or level of religious observance. Both traditions are internally diverse, and local practices vary across countries and communities.

Why Shia Population Estimates Differ Between Sources

The number of Shia Muslims in a country can vary considerably between demographic publications. These differences do not necessarily indicate that one source is deliberately incorrect; they may reflect different data, definitions, reference years, and calculation methods.

Lack of Denomination-Specific Census Data

Many countries collect information about general religious affiliation but do not ask whether Muslim respondents identify as Sunni or Shia. A census may therefore record a large Muslim population without providing a reliable breakdown by denomination.

Different Definitions of Shia Identity

Researchers do not always classify communities in the same way. Some studies distinguish Twelvers, Ismailis, and Zaydis, while others use a broader Shia category. The treatment of Alevis and Alawites can also vary across demographic sources.

This is particularly relevant in Turkey and Syria, where broad classifications may not align with how individuals identify themselves or how scholars understand their religious traditions.

Historical Estimates

Some widely cited country figures come from studies published years ago. Pew Research Center’s major global study of Sunni and Shia populations was published in 2009. These figures remain useful as a documented historical baseline, but population growth, migration, and political developments mean they should not automatically be described as current.

Expert Assessments and Indirect Methods

Pew Research Center explained that its Sunni–Shia estimates relied on expert assessments, ethnographic analysis, the World Religion Database, and other published estimates because denomination-specific census and survey data were scarce. The researchers also noted that they could not calculate a reliable margin of error for each country-level estimate. Source: Pew Research Center’s methodology

Migration and Population Change

Migration can affect the distribution of Shia communities, particularly in Europe, North America, and Gulf countries. Refugee movements, labour migration, family reunification, and changes in national populations can all affect estimates.

However, migration totals alone cannot establish how many people identify as Shia. Reliable estimates require information about religious affiliation as well as the size and composition of the population.

Frequently Asked Questions About Shia Population by Country

Which country has the largest Shia population?

Iran has the world’s largest Shia Muslim population. It is the principal demographic centre of Twelver Shia Islam.

Which countries have the largest Shia populations?

Iran, Pakistan, Iraq, and India have some of the world’s largest Shia populations. Turkey, Yemen, Azerbaijan, Nigeria, Afghanistan, and Syria also have substantial communities according to commonly cited demographic estimates.

How many Shia Muslims are there in the world?

Pew Research Center estimated that there were approximately 154 million to 200 million Shia Muslims worldwide in 2009, representing around 10–13% of the global Muslim population at that time. This is a historical estimate, not a verified total for 2026.

What percentage of Muslims are Shia?

The widely cited Pew Research Center study published in 2009 estimated that approximately 10–13% of Muslims were Shia and 87–90% were Sunni. These percentages describe the study’s historical estimates and should not be presented as precise current measurements.

Which country has the highest percentage of Shia Muslims?

Iran is widely recognised as a Shia-majority country, with Twelver Shia Islam as its official religious tradition. Azerbaijan and Bahrain also have large Shia populations relative to their Muslim populations, although estimates vary by source and methodology.

Does Pakistan have one of the largest Shia populations?

Yes. Pakistan is consistently identified as one of the countries with the largest Shia populations in the world. Pew Research Center’s 2009 estimate was 17–26 million, while World Population Review lists an approximate figure of 21.5 million.

Are most Shia Muslims from the Middle East?

No. Although the Middle East contains important Shia-majority countries and religious centres, Pakistan and India also have some of the world’s largest Shia populations. Shia communities are found throughout Asia, Africa, Europe, and North America.

Are all Shia Muslims Twelvers?

No. Twelvers form the largest Shia branch, but Shia Islam also includes Ismaili and Zaydi traditions, among others. These branches differ in their understandings of the Imamate and aspects of religious authority.

Are Alevis and Alawites included in Shia population estimates?

It depends on the source. Some broad demographic classifications group certain communities under a Sunni–Shia framework, while other studies distinguish them separately. Estimates should therefore state the classification method when possible.

Why do different websites report different Shia population figures?

Websites may use different reference years, population projections, expert assessments, and definitions of Shia identity. Some figures originate from the same historical study and are republished by multiple websites. They should not automatically be treated as independent confirmation.

Are Shia population figures available for every country?

Not with the same degree of reliability. Some countries have substantial Shia communities but lack recent denomination-specific surveys. Other countries have smaller communities that are difficult to measure in general population surveys.

Are the figures in this article official 2026 census results?

No. The table combines approximate figures listed by World Population Review with historical ranges from Pew Research Center’s 2009 study. It is intended as a comparative demographic overview, not a new census or a precise count of current populations.

Conclusion

The global distribution of Shia Muslims reflects a long history of religious scholarship, political development, migration, and cultural exchange. Iran has the largest Shia population, while Pakistan, Iraq, and India are also central to the worldwide demographic picture. Significant communities are found in Yemen, Azerbaijan, Afghanistan, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, Nigeria, and many other countries.

Comparing Shia populations requires more than simply ranking countries by estimated numbers. The percentage of a country’s Muslim population, the historical development of its communities, the distinction between different Shia branches, and the quality of available data all matter.

Because denomination-specific census information remains limited, the most responsible approach is to identify the source and reference year for every estimate and to avoid presenting uncertain figures as exact current totals. The historical estimates compiled by Pew Research Center and the country figures listed by World Population Review provide a useful starting point for understanding the worldwide distribution of Shia Muslims.

Sources and Further Reading:

• World Population Review — Shia Population by Country
• Pew Research Center — Mapping the Global Muslim Population
• Pew Research Center — Methodology for Sunni–Shia Estimates
• Pew Research Center — Methodology for Muslim Population Estimates