Official Chinese government statements report approximately 24,400 mosques in Xinjiang, while independent satellite analysis estimates thousands have been damaged or destroyed. [
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Official Chinese Government Figures
- Total Mosques: State sources state there are 24,400 mosques in Xinjiang (about one mosque for every 530 Muslims).
- Comparison to the West: Chinese officials state that this total is more than twice the combined number of mosques in the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, and France. [1, 2]
China's Muslim population has grown steadily over the decades, rising from an estimated 16.8 million in 1990 to over 25 million recorded in recent national censuses and research. [
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Population Growth Timeline
- 1990 Estimation: Approximately 16.8 million Muslims were documented based on officially recognized predominantly Muslim ethnic groups.
- 2010 Census: The population increased to roughly 23.3 million people, reflecting a growth of about 38.4% over the prior two decades.
- 2020 Census / Recent Data: Numbers rose past 25 million to nearly 25.9 million people, making up roughly 1.6% to 1.8% of the total national population.
- 2030 Projection: Research organizations like the Pew Research Center project the total to approach nearly 30 million people. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6]
Key Demographic Factors
- Ethnic Breakdown: The majority of this population belongs to the Hui and Uyghur ethnic groups, alongside smaller groups like Kazakhs and Kyrgyz. [1, 2]
- Policy Impact: Past exceptions under the one-child policy allowed ethnic minority families to have up to three children, contributing to higher growth rates compared to the Han majority during specific periods. [1]
- Geographic Spread: Most communities remain heavily concentrated in northwestern and southwestern regions, particularly in Xinjiang and Ningxia. [1, 2, 3]