More than 1.7 million Muslims from around the world gathered in Makkah and Madinah for Hajj this year, making the annual pilgrimage one of the largest spiritual gatherings on earth.
According to official figures released by Saudi Arabia’s General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT), a total of 1,707,301 pilgrims performed Hajj during the 2026 season (1447AH).
The figures highlight the global scale of the pilgrimage, with Muslims from 165 nationalities travelling to the Kingdom to fulfil the fifth pillar of Islam.
Of the total number of pilgrims, 1,546,655 arrived from outside Saudi Arabia, while 160,646 were domestic pilgrims, including Saudi citizens and residents.
The report said male pilgrims numbered 893,396, while female pilgrims totalled 813,905.
Air travel remained the main route for international pilgrims, with 1,485,729 arriving by air. A further 54,429 entered by road, while 6,497 arrived by sea.
Saudi authorities also highlighted the continued expansion of the Makkah Route Initiative, which aims to simplify travel and immigration procedures for pilgrims before they depart from their home countries. According to the report, 388,694 pilgrims benefited from the initiative during this year’s Hajj season.
Serving the millions of pilgrims required a vast logistical and humanitarian operation. The report said 441,049 workers and 26,701 volunteers helped support pilgrims and facilitate the Hajj rituals across the holy sites.
In its executive summary, GASTAT said Saudi Arabia has, for decades, given “special attention” to serving pilgrims and enabling them to perform their rituals “with ease and comfort.”
The authority added that Hajj statistics have been published annually since 1390AH as part of efforts to improve planning, services and the overall pilgrimage experience.
For Muslims across the world, Hajj remains far more than a statistical event. Each year, the pilgrimage stands as a powerful manifestation of unity, devotion and submission to Allah, bringing together believers of every language, race and nationality in a single act of worship centred around the Sacred House in Makkah.
