There has been much speculation and debate over whether religious affiliation, specifically being Muslim, has an impact on life expectancy. Some studies have suggested that Muslims tend to live longer on average compared to the general population. However, the data is far from conclusive. In this article, we will examine some of the key research on this topic and explore the potential factors that could influence life expectancy among Muslims.
Studies on life expectancy of Muslims
Several studies over the past few decades have looked at life expectancy rates among Muslims compared to other religious groups. One of the most frequently cited is a 2012 analysis published in the journal Social Science & Medicine. The researchers looked at data on religious affiliation and life expectancy across 189 countries. They found that Muslims worldwide had an average life expectancy of 68.7 years, which was 7.6 years longer than the global average of 61.1 years.
When looking specifically at Muslims living in the United States, the data showed an average life expectancy of 77.8 years compared to 75.2 years for the total US population. The authors hypothesized that the lifestyle habits associated with Islam, including abstinence from alcohol, tobacco, and adherence to religious practices like prayer and fasting, may confer health benefits.
Another study published in 2018 in PLOS One looked at census data in India and found Muslims had about a 2 year higher life expectancy on average compared to Hindus. The researchers suggested higher marriage rates, lower smoking rates, and greater social support in Muslim communities as potential explanatory factors.
However, not all studies have found a definitive longevity advantage for Muslims. A 2010 paper in Journal of Religion and Health looked at 19 countries and found a mixed picture – Muslims lived longer on average in some nations but shorter in others. The authors concluded that there were likely complex societal and economic factors at play beyond just religious affiliation.
Potential factors influencing Muslim life expectancy
There are several cultural and religious practices common in Muslim populations that may contribute to longer lifespans on average:
- Prohibitions against smoking and alcohol consumption – Both behaviors are strongly associated with higher mortality and cardiovascular disease.
- Emphasis on community and social support – Strong social ties and sense of belonging are linked to reduced stress, better mental health, and longevity.
- Regular prayer and meditation – Religious practices like the 5 daily prayers in Islam have similarities to mindfulness and meditation, which are known to reduce anxiety and blood pressure.
- Fasting rituals – Intermittent fasting, including the 30-day Ramadan fast, may offer metabolic benefits like better blood sugar control.
- Lower rates of suicide – Suicide is strictly prohibited in Islam, leading to lower rates that positively impact life expectancy.
- Halal diet – Following dietary laws emphasizes foods like vegetables, fruits, whole grains that reduce heart disease risk.
However, there are also some important considerations when analyzing this data:
- Life expectancy is influenced by many factors beyond just religion, including genetics, socioeconomics, access to healthcare, and overall public health standards in a given region.
- Life expectancy rates have been improving globally over recent decades, so some studies may not have isolated religion as an independent factor.
- Muslim populations themselves vary greatly in ethnicity, culture, lifestyle habits, economic status, and health outcomes.
- Data on religious affiliation and mortality is limited for certain countries and demographic groups.
Life expectancy rates by country
When looking at life expectancy rates for Muslim majority countries, there is considerable variation:
| Country | Life expectancy |
|---|---|
| Qatar | 79.3 years |
| Malaysia | 75.5 years |
| Saudi Arabia | 75.1 years |
| Turkey | 74.9 years |
| Indonesia | 71.7 years |
| Pakistan | 67.3 years |
| Afghanistan | 64.8 years |
Some Muslim nations like Qatar and Malaysia have very high life expectancies on par with western developed countries. Others like Afghanistan have much lower averages under 65 years. This illustrates the importance of national infrastructure, healthcare systems, economy, and other local factors in determining public health outcomes.
Comparison to other religious groups
Given the variability described above, it can be overly simplistic to portray Muslim life expectancy as universally higher or lower than other major religions. However, some broad comparisons can be made:
- Muslims have a life expectancy advantage over Hindus in India based on national data.
- Christians globally have an average life expectancy of 68.5 years, slightly lower than the 68.7 years for Muslims.
- Those unaffiliated with any religion tend to have greater longevity, with averages of 71-72 years in many European nations.
- Jews have high average life expectancies around 82-84 years according to analysis of populations in the U.S., UK, and Israel.
But there are also contrarian examples that belie easy generalizations. For instance, in the United States, Seventh-day Adventists and Mormons have some of the highest documented life expectancies despite being religious minorities.
Factors limiting Muslim life expectancy
While many aspects of Muslim religious and cultural traditions may have positive effects, there are also some factors that could work against longevity in certain contexts:
- High birth rates and maternal mortality in some Muslim nations.
- Sectarian violence and terrorism contribute to deaths in conflict zones like Syria, Iraq, Afghanistan.
- Limited access to healthcare and basic public health resources in poor and rural regions.
- Higher rates of certain cancers in some Muslim countries possibly linked to tobacco use, infections, or reproductive patterns.
- Consanguineous marriage leading to increased risk of genetic diseases in offspring.
- Poor adherence to preventative care and overreliance on traditional remedies.
Key takeaways
Based on currently available data, a few key conclusions can be drawn about Muslim life expectancy worldwide:
- There is some evidence that Muslims on average live moderately longer compared to other religious groups globally.
- However, Muslim populations vary greatly between countries and regions.
- Cultural influences like abstinence from smoking and alcohol likely contribute to greater longevity.
- But many other complex factors including genetics, socioeconomics, gender differences, and healthcare access also play an important role.
- More research controlling for confounding variables is needed to isolate the impact of Islam specifically on mortality rates.
Conclusion
The available data suggests that affiliation with Islam may offer a modest longevity advantage worldwide due to cultural norms and practices that discourage smoking, drinking, and other vices while encouraging community engagement and routine acts of worship. However, many other factors also substantially influence life expectancy. Muslim populations themselves are hugely diverse in ethnicity, lifestyle habits, socioeconomic status and access to healthcare. While interesting correlations exist, definitive conclusions about the impact of Islam itself on longevity require more rigorous study controlling for potential confounding variables.