Catalina Espinosa
Research expert covering society, economy, and politics for Europe and the EU
Islamophobia in Europe - statistics & facts
A report from the EU agency for Fundamental Rights revealed that four in ten Muslims in the EU suffered from discrimination in 2022. Islamophobia—defined as discrimination, hate speech, and hate crimes against Muslims—has been on the rise across Europe, fueled in part by increased anti-immigrant sentiment in the media and political spheres, and the spread of online hate speech and misinformation. A prime example of this was in 2024 in the UK, where the perpetrator of a mass-stabbing was falsely-identified as a Muslim immigrant online, leading to a wave of anti-Muslim riots across the country; showing that digital hostility has led to real world attacks on Muslim communities.
This growing presence of Muslims across the continent, coupled with the Israel-Palestine conflict and the rise of populist parties, has exacerbated pre-existing discrimination against these communities. In 2022 alone, 38 percent of Muslims reported experiencing islamophobia in the previous12 months. The numbers are even higher when examined over a longer period, with half of those surveyed stating they had faced islamophobia in the past five years.
Gender also plays a significant role in shaping these experiences. Over 30 percent of women reported suffering discrimination, with many cases linked to religious attire. This is closely tied to the bans on religious clothing in several European countries, with France showing more than 60 percent of the public favor restrictions on religious garments.
Discrimination against Muslims is shaped by ethnicity, nationality, gender, and class, with many facing prejudice due to their migrant background or religious identity. As the Muslim population in Europe continues to grow, hate speech in public discourse fosters an increasingly hostile reality for this section of the public. It remains to be seen whether governments will develop effective strategies to combat the spread of Islamophobia, or whether anti-Muslim rhetoric will become more normalized and accepted in the future.
Migration and the rise of Islamophobia in Europe
People fleeing major wars in countries such as Syria and Afghanistan have seen millions of refugees arrive in Europe in recent decades. The refugee crisis peaked in 2015, with Germany, France, and Sweden emerging as key destinations for those escaping violence. Combined with increased migration from Africa and South Asia, this influx has significantly contributed to the growth of Europe’s Muslim population. If high migration levels continue, projections indicate that their numbers could exceed 75 million by 2050, making up nearly 18 percent of the total population in countries like the UK.This growing presence of Muslims across the continent, coupled with the Israel-Palestine conflict and the rise of populist parties, has exacerbated pre-existing discrimination against these communities. In 2022 alone, 38 percent of Muslims reported experiencing islamophobia in the previous12 months. The numbers are even higher when examined over a longer period, with half of those surveyed stating they had faced islamophobia in the past five years.
Characteristics of the victims
The experiences of Muslim communities in Europe varies significantly by country and background. For example, 36 percent of Muslims from Sub-Saharan Africa report facing discrimination primarily due to their skin color, while Muslims from Syria and Turkey are more likely to encounter prejudice based on their religious beliefs. Turkish Muslims, in particular, reported high rates of discrimination in Austria, Germany, and the Netherlands, while North African Muslims reported the same in Belgium and France.Gender also plays a significant role in shaping these experiences. Over 30 percent of women reported suffering discrimination, with many cases linked to religious attire. This is closely tied to the bans on religious clothing in several European countries, with France showing more than 60 percent of the public favor restrictions on religious garments.
Discrimination against Muslims is shaped by ethnicity, nationality, gender, and class, with many facing prejudice due to their migrant background or religious identity. As the Muslim population in Europe continues to grow, hate speech in public discourse fosters an increasingly hostile reality for this section of the public. It remains to be seen whether governments will develop effective strategies to combat the spread of Islamophobia, or whether anti-Muslim rhetoric will become more normalized and accepted in the future.
