Member States: A Comprehensive Demographic and Geographic Overview
The composition of this international body spans multiple continents, bringing together a diverse array of nations from Africa, Asia, Europe, and South America. These member states vary significantly in terms of their population size, land area, and linguistic diversity, reflecting a broad global footprint.
Membership began to solidify in 1969, with a large wave of founding nations, and has expanded steadily through the decades to include states from various geopolitical backgrounds. This diversity is further highlighted by the inclusion of transcontinental nations that bridge the gap between different geographic regions.
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Key Facts
- Global Reach: Membership extends across Africa, Asia, Europe, and South America.
- Largest Population: Indonesia holds the highest population among member states with 280,813,676 people.
- Largest Land Area: Kazakhstan is the largest member state by area, covering 2,724,900 km².
- Highest Muslim Percentage: Mauritania and the Maldives report a 100% Muslim population.
- Membership Timeline: The earliest members joined in 1969, with the most recent addition, Ivory Coast, joining in 2001.
Detailed Member State Analysis
The member states can be categorized by their entry dates and regional characteristics. The 1969 cohort represents the foundational block, including major nations such as Saudi Arabia, Iran, and Pakistan. Some of these nations have experienced periods of suspension; for example, Afghanistan was suspended from 1980 to March 1989 during the Soviet-Afghan War, and Egypt was suspended from May 1979 to March 1984 following a peace treaty with Israel.
Regional Diversity and Demographics
The demographic landscape is varied. While many states maintain a very high Muslim percentage—such as Somalia (99.9%) and Turkey (99.8%)—others have smaller Muslim populations, such as Guyana (8%) and Gabon (12%). This indicates a wide spectrum of cultural and religious compositions within the membership.
Linguistically, the organization is a tapestry of official languages. Arabic is prevalent across the Middle East and North Africa, while French is common in West African members like Senegal and Guinea. English serves as an official language for states such as Nigeria, Pakistan, and Sierra Leone.
Expansion and Evolution
Following the initial 1969 wave, membership grew in the 1970s with the addition of countries like the United Arab Emirates (1971) and Bangladesh (1974). The 1990s saw a significant increase in members from Central Asia and Europe, including Azerbaijan, Albania, and several "-stan" nations like Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan, mostly joining around 1992 and 1995.
Some nations joined under different political identities. Iran originally joined as Pahlavi Iran, and Syria and Iraq originally joined as Ba'athist states. Yemen's membership is unique, as it joined as two separate entities (North and South Yemen) before unifying in 1990.
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Member State Summary Table
| Member State | Joined | Population | Muslim % | Area (km²) | Official Language(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Indonesia | 1969 | 280,813,676 | 87% | 1,904,569 | Indonesian |
| Pakistan | 1969 | 241,499,431 | 98% | 881,912 | Urdu, English |
| Nigeria | 1986 | 206,630,269 | 54% | 923,768 | English |
| Egypt | 1969 | 107,206,514 | 95% | 1,002,450 | Arabic |
| Kazakhstan | 1995 | 17,244,000 | 74% | 2,724,900 | Kazakh, Russian |
Frequently Asked Questions
Which member state has the largest population?
Indonesia has the largest population among the member states, with 280,813,676 people.
Which countries have a 100% Muslim population?
According to the data, Mauritania and the Maldives both have a Muslim population percentage of 100%.
What is the largest member state by land area?
Kazakhstan is the largest member state by area, covering 2,724,900 square kilometers.
Have any member states been suspended?
Yes, several states have faced suspension. Afghanistan was suspended from 1980 to 1989, Egypt from 1979 to 1984, and Syria from August 2012 to March 2025.
When did the most recent member state join?
The Ivory Coast is the most recent member state listed, having joined in 2001.