Saudi Arabia's General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT) has confirmed that 1,707,301 pilgrims performed Hajj during the 1447 AH season, the official census figure released after the conclusion of this year's rites. The count covers every pilgrim who completed the pilgrimage across Makkah and the holy sites, and it gives the clearest picture yet of who attended and how they arrived.

The figure marks a modest rebound from the previous year. According to GASTAT, the 1447 total is up by roughly 34,000 pilgrims compared with the 1,673,230 recorded for Hajj 1446 AH (2025).

Breakdown by arrival and origin

GASTAT separates the headcount into international and domestic pilgrims. The overwhelming majority travelled from outside the Kingdom. International arrivals reached 1,546,655, while domestic pilgrims, made up of Saudi citizens and residents within the Kingdom, numbered 160,646.

The data also tracks how international pilgrims entered Saudi Arabia. The vast majority flew in:

  • Air: 1,485,729 pilgrims
  • Land: 54,429 pilgrims
  • Sea: 6,497 pilgrims

The authority noted that pilgrims arrived from 165 different nationalities, underlining the global reach of the pilgrimage. The Makkah Route Initiative, which pre-clears travel and immigration procedures in pilgrims' home countries, served 388,694 of them this season.

Men and women among the pilgrims

The combined total of domestic and international pilgrims included 893,396 male pilgrims and 813,905 female pilgrims. The near-balance reflects the long-standing reality that Hajj draws Muslims of both genders in large numbers, a duty that falls upon every able Muslim who can afford and physically undertake the journey once in a lifetime.

How 1447 compares to recent seasons

Pilgrim numbers have moved within a narrow band over the past three years. The 1445 AH (2024) season recorded 1,833,164 pilgrims. That fell to 1,673,230 in 1446 AH (2025) before recovering to 1,707,301 this year. The pattern suggests Saudi authorities are managing attendance carefully rather than chasing record highs, prioritising crowd safety and service quality at the holy sites.

GASTAT has produced the official pilgrim census each year for decades, and its verified count is the figure governments and Hajj operators rely on for planning. The numbers feed directly into decisions on accommodation, transport capacity, catering and health provision for future seasons.

What this means for future pilgrims

For Muslims planning Hajj in the years ahead, the statistics offer practical signals. Demand remains strong and quotas are tightly allocated, so early registration through an authorised channel in your home country is essential. Air travel dominates, meaning flight availability and the Makkah Route Initiative are worth prioritising where offered.

Practical tips: Register early through your country's official Hajj mission or an authorised operator, since seats are limited and allocated by quota. If your country participates in the Makkah Route Initiative, use it to complete immigration formalities before departure and save hours on arrival. Confirm all health and vaccination requirements well in advance, and keep documentation ready, as compliance is checked before travel.