But there is a real problem here...I don't think his case that Islam is 'dying too' is really correct. Yes, there are some really low birth rates in Iran and a few other places, but let's take a look at the TFR (total fertility rate) of the world's eleven most populous Muslim-majority countries:
Name Population TFR[1] Net migration/1000
population
11.
Indonesia 204,847,000 2.23 -1.08
22.
Pakistan 178,097,000 3.07 -2
33.
Bangladesh 148,607,000 2.55 -1.04
44.
Egypt 80,024,000 2.94 -0.2
55.
Iran 74,819,000 1.87 -0.11
66.
Turkey 74,660,000 2.13 0.5
77.
Algeria 34,780,000 2.78 -0.27
88.
Morocco 32,381,000 2.19 -3.67
99.
Iraq 31,108,000 3.58 0
110.
Sudan 30,894,000 4.17 -4.52
111.
Afghanistan 29,047,000 5.64 -2.51
[1]
From CIA World Factbook, estimates for 2010 or 2012.
And now note that of the eleven only one of them has a TFR below replacement, Iran. Meanwhile, countries like Afghanistan and Sudan are very high. Also note the net migration. With the exception of Turkey and Iraq, these countries are exporting large numbers of their uneducated Muslim population. And again, we are not taking into account Somalia or Yemen, both with high TFR and high net out-migration.
Where does this all point? It does not seem to me like Islam is dying too. Yes, the birth rates are declining, but in the populous countries they are all still well above replacement and these countries are exporting their Muslims to the world, and especially the West.
But maybe I'm missing something here. Dear David Goldman (Spengler), please let me know what it is that I am missing in these numbers.
