The total number of pilgrims who performed Hajj in 2026 reached 1,707,301, according to final figures released by Saudi Arabia's General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT). The data offers a detailed portrait of this year's season, breaking down arrivals by origin, gender, and mode of travel, and confirms a modest rise over the previous year.

Who Performed Hajj

Of the total, international pilgrims arriving from outside the Kingdom accounted for 1,546,655, while domestic pilgrims, comprising Saudi citizens and residents, numbered 160,646. The figures underline how heavily the season is shaped by visitors traveling from abroad, who make up the overwhelming majority of those performing the pilgrimage.

The 2026 total represents an increase over the 1,673,230 pilgrims recorded for Hajj 1446 in 2025. The steady year-on-year movement reflects the gradual normalization of pilgrim numbers following earlier years of capacity adjustments.

Gender and Travel Breakdown

GASTAT reported that the combined headcount of domestic and international pilgrims included 893,396 men and 813,905 women, a relatively balanced split between male and female participants.

The authority also detailed how international pilgrims reached the Kingdom. The vast majority, 1,485,729, arrived through air entry points. A further 54,429 came by road, while 6,497 entered by sea. The dominance of air travel highlights the central role of aviation in moving pilgrims, with the bulk arriving through Saudi Arabia's main international gateways.

How the Numbers Were Compiled

According to GASTAT, the statistics were produced using a register-based model that has been refined over the past six years. The authority relied on the Ministry of Interior's administrative records as its primary source, an approach it says ensures highly accurate and reliable data without the need for traditional field surveys.

This methodology allows authorities to capture precise counts of who entered for Hajj, by what route, and from where, supporting planning for future seasons. As Saudi Arabia continues to expand infrastructure across Makkah, Mina, Arafah, and Muzdalifah, such granular data informs decisions on transport capacity, accommodation, crowd management, and the cooling and shading measures deployed during the hottest months.

The register-based approach also reflects a broader shift in how the Kingdom measures the pilgrimage. Rather than estimating figures through sampling, GASTAT now draws on linked administrative systems that record each pilgrim's entry and movement. The result is a single, reconciled count that authorities can publish with confidence shortly after the season closes, and that international partners can use to verify their own national totals.

The balance between international and domestic pilgrims is also closely watched. With international arrivals making up the large majority, the figures reaffirm Hajj's role as one of the world's largest annual gatherings of people from different nations, drawing participants from every inhabited continent into the same compact set of rituals over a few days.

Looking Ahead

The 2026 figures arrive as the Kingdom begins early preparations for the 2027 season, including restructured service packages and earlier booking deadlines. Accurate season-end statistics help both Saudi authorities and pilgrim-sending nations calibrate quotas and logistics for the year ahead.

For those planning future pilgrimages, the data offers useful context:

  • Expect air travel to remain the standard route, so book flights and confirm Jeddah or Madinah arrival arrangements well in advance.
  • Plan around peak crowding, since well over 1.7 million pilgrims converge on the holy sites within a compressed window.
  • Follow your national Hajj authority's allocation process closely, as quotas are informed by these official counts.
  • Prepare for intense summer heat, and make use of the cooling, shading, and water-distribution services provided across the holy sites.

Pilgrims are reminded to rely on official figures and authorized operators when making arrangements, and to verify quota and visa details through their national Hajj missions.