Saudi Arabia reports over 1.7 million pilgrims for Hajj, exceeding last year's numbers

Saudi Arabia welcomed more than 1.7 million Muslim pilgrims for this year's Hajj, according to official figures. This total includes over 1.5 million international visitors and more than 160,000 Saudi citizens and residents participating in the sacred journey.

The General Authority of Statistics reported that the majority of foreign pilgrims, numbering 1,546,655, arrived by air. An additional 54,429 pilgrims traveled by land, and nearly 6,500 arrived by sea. The data also indicated that slightly over 52% of all pilgrims were men.

While this year's attendance marks an increase from 2025's 1.67 million pilgrims, it falls short of the 1.83 million recorded in 2024. The numbers are still significantly lower than the pre-COVID-19 pandemic era, when Saudi Arabia typically hosted over 2 million pilgrims annually, even exceeding 3 million in 2012.

The Hajj pilgrimage is a mandatory religious duty for all Muslims who are physically and financially able to undertake the journey at least once in their lifetime. Despite regional tensions, the pilgrimage proceeded with a substantial turnout, reflecting its enduring significance for the global Muslim community.