Karachi, April 3 (ANI): A new study has said that the Muslim and Christian populations may nearly be equal by 2050, with Islam expected to be the fastest growing religion on the planet.

The report, which was released on Thursday, said that while Christians will remain the largest religious group over the next four decades, Islam will grow faster than any other major religion, reported The Express Tribune.

The Pew Research Center's religious profile predictions analysed data from around the world on fertility rates, trends in youth population growth and religious conversion statistics.

The study predicted that there will be about 2.76 billion Muslims and 2.92 billion Christians on the planet by 2050. The numbers will constitute about 29.7 and 31.4 per cent of the world population, respectively.

There were 1.6 billion Muslims on the planet in 2010 as opposed to 2.17 billion Christians.

The report said that Hindus will constitute 14.9 per cent of the world's total population and occupy the third slot, followed by people (13.2 percent) who do not affiliate themselves with any religion.

The Asia-Pacific region is set to remain the most popular choice for Muslims, bolstered by a youthful population with high fertility rates.

India will be home to the largest Muslim population, though it will continue to be a Hindu majority nation, surpassing Indonesia.

Pew experts also noted that Muslims will account for 10 per cent of Europe's overall population.

It added that if the trend continued then Islam will be most popular faith in the world after 2070.

The report however, warned that many events, such as, scientific discoveries, armed conflicts, social movements, political upheavals, natural disasters and changing economic conditions, may alter demographic trends in unforeseen ways. (ANI)