Which Are the Top 10 Muslim Economies in 2025?

The global economic landscape is constantly shifting, with various regions and blocs asserting their influence. Among these, the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) stands as a significant collective voice, representing 57 member states across four continents. Beyond its cultural and political significance, the OIC also encompasses a formidable economic force.

Understanding the economic trajectory of its leading members offers crucial insights into the future of the Muslim world and its impact on global trade and development. This article delves into the projected economic standing of the top 10 Muslim economies by 2025, analyzing their positions both within the OIC and on the world stage.

Defining “Muslim Economies”: The OIC Framework

For the purpose of this analysis, “Muslim economies” are defined by their membership in the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC). Established as “the collective voice of the Muslim world,” the OIC aims to “safeguard and protect the interests of the Muslim world in the spirit of promoting international peace and harmony”. While not all 57 member states are Muslim-majority nations, this institutional framework provides a consistent and authoritative lens for examining their collective economic might.  

In 2019, the OIC’s collective nominal GDP was estimated at a substantial $9.904 trillion. This figure highlights the significant economic weight of the bloc, even as the per capita GDP across its member states remained relatively low at $9,361 in the same year, reflecting a large population base of 1.81 billion in 2018.  

The Top 10: A Snapshot of 2025 Projections

Based on estimated nominal GDP figures for 2025, here’s a look at the top 10 Muslim economies, along with their projected global and OIC rankings:

Note: GDP figures and global rankings are estimated projections for 2025 based on data from the International Monetary Fund (IMF). For Pakistan, 2025 estimated GDP data was not available in the provided source; the figure and global ranking reflect 2023 estimates. OIC rankings are derived from this analysis and follow the specified sequence.  

Analyzing the Economic Landscape

The chart reveals several compelling insights into the economic dynamics of the OIC:

• Leading the Pack: Turkey and Indonesia stand out as the largest economies within the OIC, with projected GDPs of $1.44 trillion and $1.43 trillion respectively in 2025. Their global rankings of 17th and 18th, while not in the absolute top tier, underscore their significant presence on the world stage. Saudi Arabia follows closely, projected to reach $1.08 trillion and rank 20th globally. These three nations form the economic vanguard of the OIC.  
• Diverse Economic Structures: The top 10 showcase a remarkable diversity in their economic foundations. Saudi Arabia’s economy is heavily reliant on its vast oil and gas reserves, while Indonesia benefits from a large domestic market and a diversified industrial base. Turkey boasts strong manufacturing and tourism sectors, and Malaysia is known for its diversified economy spanning manufacturing, services, and commodities. This inherent diversity provides the OIC’s collective economic strength with resilience against fluctuations in any single sector or commodity.  
• Geographical Spread: These leading economies are geographically dispersed, spanning Southeast Asia (Indonesia, Malaysia, Bangladesh), the Middle East (Saudi Arabia, UAE, Iran), Africa (Egypt), and Central Asia (Kazakhstan). This distribution highlights distinct regional economic hubs within the Muslim world, influencing intra-OIC trade and investment flows.  
• Room for Growth: While these nations are economic leaders within the OIC, their global rankings indicate substantial room for growth to converge with the world’s largest and most advanced economies. This understanding is crucial for OIC policymakers, as it emphasizes the scale of economic development required to enhance the collective influence and prosperity of the Muslim world.  

Future Projections and Trends

The economic robustness of these top 10 OIC economies positions them as potential engines for driving greater intra-OIC trade, investment, and development initiatives. The OIC’s charter explicitly aims for “cooperation and activities among the Islamic countries”. The presence of strong, diverse economies at the forefront provides a solid foundation for achieving this objective.  

These nations possess the capital, large markets, and specialized expertise necessary to lead joint ventures, facilitate comprehensive trade agreements, and offer development assistance to smaller or less developed OIC members. Their collective economic weight can be strategically leveraged to create more resilient supply chains within the OIC, reduce reliance on external markets, and collectively address shared economic vulnerabilities. This demonstrates how the economic power of these leading nations can be directly applied to advance the OIC’s internal goals of integration and collective prosperity.

The analysis of the top 10 Muslim economies by their 2025 estimated nominal GDP reveals a dynamic and influential economic bloc within the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation. Led by nations like Turkey, Indonesia, and Saudi Arabia, this group demonstrates significant economic output and holds respectable positions in global rankings. While these economies are paramount within the OIC, their global standing indicates continued potential for growth and integration into the highest echelons of the world economy.

The growing economic influence of the OIC bloc, driven by these leading economies, is undeniable. Their diverse economic structures and geographical spread contribute to the collective resilience and varied opportunities within the Muslim world. The economic strength of these nations is not merely a quantitative measure but a strategic asset, providing the OIC with enhanced capacity to pursue its mission of safeguarding interests and promoting the well-being of Muslims globally.

Looking ahead, the continued economic growth of these leading Muslim economies will be crucial in shaping the global economic landscape. Their development trajectory, coupled with enhanced intra-OIC cooperation, holds significant promise for fostering greater prosperity, stability, and influence for the Muslim world on the international stage. The dynamism inherent in these economies underscores their pivotal role in global development and reinforces the strategic importance of the OIC as a collective voice in an evolving global economy.