Faith shapes the lives of British Muslims more than any other religious group, new poll shows

New polling commissioned by the Institute for the Impact of Faith in Life (IIFL) shows British Muslims, more than any other religious group, feel that their religious beliefs play a greater role in shaping their lives.

The survey of 2,064 UK adults, carried out by Whitestone on the 1st and 2nd of May 2024, showed that British Muslims, 92% believe their faith significantly impacts the way they live their lives, compared to 47% of Christians; 88% find faith helps them find purpose in life compared to 50% of Christians; and 96% say their faith has shaped their moral values, with only 66% of Christians saying so.

Muslims in the UK also believe religion is important in public life, with 83% saying religion is generally a force for good in society, and 77% say that British politicians should listen to what faith leaders have to say on social and political issues. 80% of Muslims say they are more interested in their faith now than when they were younger, compared to just 38% of Christians.

Charlotte Littlewood, senior research associate for IIFL, said of the results:

By far Muslim respondents on average hold the most value towards faith in their lives. They find their faith helps them find purpose, shapes their moral values and that it is a force for good in society, standing in stark comparison with Christian respondents who are over 40% less likely to agree that their faith has a significant impact on their lives. 

Overall the results show that Islam to Muslims is the most personally impactful religious belief held by the people of Britain today.

For any further information or commentary on the report, please contact Dr Jake Scott, secretary for the Institute.
Dr Jake Scott
jake.scott@iifl.org.uk
+44 (0) 7490 190 652

Notes for editors:

  • Whitestone Insight interviewed 2,064 UK adults on-line between 1st and 2nd May 2024. Data were weighted to be representative of all UK adults. Whitestone Insight is a member of the British Polling Council (BPC) and abides by its rules.
  • IIFL is a research forum examining the role that faith and religious belief plays in the lives of people in the UK, whether at work, at home, or in the community. 
  • Respondents were surveyed on their views towards faith and seven different areas of British life:
    • Personal faith
    • Faith in public life
    • Faith in education
    • Faith literacy
    • Faith in the media
    • Faith in public life over time