The Saudi Arabia General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT) has announced that 1.70 million pilgrims performed the 2026 Hajj pilgrimage, marking an increase from the previous year's figures. GASTAT, the government body responsible for compiling the annual Hajj census, released the official statistics for the 2026 season, covering both male and female pilgrims who participated in the rites across Makkah al-Mukarramah and other holy sites.
According to the data, 1.54 million pilgrims came from outside the Kingdom, while 160,646 were Saudi citizens and residents. A breakdown of international arrivals shows that 1.48 million pilgrims entered Saudi Arabia by air, 54,429 arrived through land borders, and 6,497 came by sea. The authority emphasized that these figures represent the verified official count for the 2026 pilgrimage season.
The newly released statistics indicate a recovery in pilgrim turnout compared to 2025, when the total number of pilgrims stood at 1.67 million. This represents an increase of approximately 34,000 pilgrims year-on-year. However, the 2026 turnout remains below the 1.83 million pilgrims recorded during the 2024 Hajj season. The year-on-year statistics also show a decline in pilgrim numbers between 2024 and 2025 before this partial rebound.
The Hajj pilgrimage is one of the world's largest religious gatherings, attracting Muslims from across the globe to the holy cities of Makkah and Madinah for prescribed spiritual rites. The 2026 season saw a significant number of international pilgrims, with air travel being the most common mode of entry.
