Number of pilgrims for the 1447 AH season: Statistics reveal official figures
The General Authority for Statistics in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia announced today the official results of the Hajj statistics, revealing that the total number of pilgrims for the 1447 AH season approximately 1,707,301. The Authority explained in its comprehensive report that this season witnessed a large influx of pilgrims from around the world, amidst an integrated system of security, health, and logistical services provided by the relevant government agencies to ensure the performance of the rituals with ease, tranquility, and safety.
According to official data, the number of pilgrims arriving from outside the Kingdom through various entry points reached 1,546,655, while the number of domestic pilgrims (citizens and residents) reached 160,646. In terms of gender distribution, the total number of male pilgrims (both domestic and international) was 893,396, while the number of female pilgrims was 813,905.
Details of entry points and the impact of pilgrim numbers for the 1447 AH season
Statistics show that air ports of entry significantly outperformed airports in receiving pilgrims arriving from outside the Kingdom, with 1,485,729 pilgrims arriving through them. In contrast, land ports received 54,429 pilgrims, while sea ports recorded the arrival of 6,497 pilgrims. These figures underscore the pivotal role of Saudi airports, particularly King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah and Prince Mohammad Bin Abdulaziz International Airport in Madinah, in accommodating these millions of pilgrims and facilitating their entry procedures smoothly and easily through pioneering initiatives such as the "Makkah Route" program.
Saudi leadership and the historical development of crowd management
Historically, managing the Hajj season presents a unique logistical and organizational challenge unparalleled globally, as millions of people converge on a specific geographical area simultaneously to perform sacred rituals. Over the past decades, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has continuously developed its infrastructure in the Holy Sites (Mina, Arafat, and Muzdalifah) and the Two Holy Mosques. Since the launch of Vision 2030, efforts have intensified to increase capacity and enhance the quality of digital and health services, enabling growing numbers of Muslims worldwide to perform the pilgrimage with the utmost safety, comfort, and ease.
Strategic dimensions and regional and international impact of the Hajj season
The significance of announcing these figures extends beyond mere statistics, encompassing crucial religious, economic, and humanitarian dimensions. Locally and regionally, the success of the Hajj season reinforces the Kingdom's position as a leader of the Islamic world and a center for serving pilgrims. This success also positively impacts the aviation, hospitality, transportation, and services sectors, bolstering the national economy in line with the ambitious goals of Vision 2030. Internationally, the ongoing coordination between the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah and the diplomatic missions of various countries underscores the close international cooperation led by the Kingdom to ensure the safety and health of pilgrims, particularly in the face of global climate and health challenges.
A precise methodology and high reliability in data monitoring
The General Authority for Statistics indicated that it relied on the administrative records of the Ministry of Interior as the primary data source for issuing the statistical data and indicators for the 1447 AH (2026 CE) Hajj season. This approach, followed for the past six years, aims to provide highly accurate and reliable registry data based on standardized models that ensure the comprehensiveness and precision of the published figures. The General Authority for Statistics is the sole official statistical authority in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia authorized to issue this vital data, upon which future development plans for the Holy Sites are based.
