THE Muslim population in countries across Europe could triple by 2050, a report has suggested.

Finland's Muslim population alone could increase by more than four times, while the UK could see an increase of 2.65 times in little more than a decade, according to projections made in the study.

1 According to one of the medium projections for 2050, 16.7 per cent of the UK population will be Muslim

Around 6.3 per cent of the UK's population is currently Muslim - compared to the percentage of 4.9 across Europe - with the country potentially reaching 17.2 per cent in the high migration scenario, to the Washington-based Pew Forum report suggested.

The report said countries like Germany and Sweden that would see the biggest growth in Muslim population, stating: "Countries that have received relatively large numbers of Muslim refugees in recent years are projected to experience the biggest changes in the high migration scenario."

Under the highest level projections, one in five people in Germany would be Muslim by 2050, Sweden is expected to see almost one in three.

The report examined three scenarios - where migration into Europe was to completely and permanently stop immediately, where all refugee levels would slow but that the migration of those who come for reasons other than seeking asylum would continue, or finally that the flow of refugees into Europe would continue indefinitely.

Top 10 destinations of migrants United Kingdom - 1,600,000 Germany - 1,350,000 France - 790,000 Italy - 720,000 Sweden - 450,000 Netherlands - 310,000 Switzerland - 280,000 Austria - 240,000 Belgium - 230,000 Spain - 210,000 *Total immigrants to Europe between 2010-2016

Under the projection of high migration, that percentage could be as high as 14 per cent.

Even under the first projection where migration would stop completely, Europe's Muslim population was predicted to grow by 7.4 per cent.

The report identified the UK as the desired destination for a larger number of migrants from outside Europe, with 1.6m people arriving in the country between 2010 and 2016.

It stated: "The UK voted in a 2016 referendum to leave the EU, which may impact immigration patterns in the future."

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But the report noted that to predict future migration levels were ultimately impossible due to the changing economic situation and government policies in Europe.

The report was produced by Pew Research Center as part of the Pew-Templeton Global Religious Futures project, which analyses religious change and its impact on societies around the world.

It was funded by The Pew Charitable Trusts and the John Templeton Foundation.

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