First, it means that most European countries have a much higher percentage of residents with a Muslim background than the United States. The Pew Research Center estimated that, in 2010, there were 2.6 million Muslims in the United States, comprising 0.8 percent of the population. Projections for 2030 indicate there will be 6.2 million Muslims, constituting 1.7 percent of the population. The Muslim presence in Europe, comparatively speaking, is and will continue to be much more substantial and visible.

Green, Todd H, The Fear of Islam_ An Intro…, loc. 341