Riyadh: The Saudi Arabia’s General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT) has announced that a total of 1.70 million pilgrims performed the 2026 Hajj pilgrimage. This figure marks an increase from the numbers recorded in 2025, reflecting a gradual recovery in pilgrim participation.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, GASTAT is responsible for compiling the annual Hajj census. The official statistics for the 2026 Hajj season include both male and female pilgrims who participated in the pilgrimage across Makkah al-Mukarramah and other holy sites. Out of the 1.70 million pilgrims, 1.54 million were from outside the Kingdom, while 160,646 were Saudi citizens and residents.
A detailed breakdown of international arrivals reveals that 1.48 million pilgrims entered Saudi Arabia by air, 54,429 arrived through land borders, and 6,497 pilgrims came by sea. The agency confirmed 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. The latest figure 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. Year-on-year statistics released by the authority also showed a decline in pilgrim numbers between 2024 and 2025 before this partial rebound.