Indonesia's government has proposed raising the cost of the 2027 Hajj to about Rp107.34 million per pilgrim, an increase of nearly Rp19.93 million over the 2026 figure. The proposal, put to parliament for deliberation, has reopened a difficult debate over subsidies in the country that sends more pilgrims to Makkah than any other.

A Proposed 23 Percent Increase

According to figures presented by the Ministry of Religious Affairs, the total Hajj organizing cost, known locally as BPIH, would rise to Rp107.34 million, or roughly US$6,027, for the 2027 season. That compares with Rp87.41 million for 2026, an increase of about 23 percent.

Under the proposal, the share paid directly by pilgrims, known as Bipih, would be about Rp42.94 million, or 40 percent of the total. The remaining 60 percent would come from a benefit fund built on returns from managed Hajj savings.

Religious Affairs Minister Mochamad Irfan Yusuf attributed the increase to external cost pressures. He said the proposal "was driven by higher aviation fuel prices and a weaker rupiah against the US dollar." Officials also pointed to Middle East geopolitical developments affecting oil prices and to the removal of entry-level service packages in the holy sites.

Where the Money Goes

Airfare is the single largest driver of the proposed rise. According to the ministry, the airfare component would climb to about Rp40.53 million from Rp32.01 million in 2026. The living allowance handed to pilgrims would remain unchanged at 750 Saudi riyals.

The proposal is built on specific exchange rate assumptions. Officials used a rate of Rp17,500 to the US dollar and Rp4,666.67 to the Saudi riyal. A weaker rupiah raises the local cost of every service priced in dollars or riyals, from flights to accommodation.

The Subsidy Dilemma

The proposal also shifts the balance between what pilgrims pay and what the state-managed fund covers. In 2026, pilgrims covered about 62 percent of the cost while the benefit fund covered 38 percent. The 2027 proposal would flip that toward 60 percent from the fund and 40 percent from pilgrims.

That shift has drawn concern. Indonesia has a Hajj waiting list of about 5.5 million people, with wait times ranging from 15 to more than 40 years depending on the region. Critics warn that heavier subsidies for departing pilgrims reduce the funds available for those still waiting.

Mustolih Siradj, a Hajj oversight figure, warned that larger subsidies would "drastically shrink the distribution space" for millions in the queue. He argued that leaning too heavily on the benefit fund could strain the finances of the Hajj Financial Management Agency, known as BPKH, over the long term.

Scale of Indonesia's Hajj

The stakes are large because of Indonesia's size. The country received a quota of 221,000 pilgrims for 2026, the largest of any nation. Around 203,000 regular pilgrims are expected to depart in 2027 under current planning.

The proposed cost is not final. It remains subject to deliberation between the Ministry of Religious Affairs and parliament, which must agree on the final BPIH before it takes effect. Pilgrims should treat the Rp107.34 million figure as a proposal rather than a confirmed price.

Practical Tips for Prospective Pilgrims

  • Follow the official figure from the Ministry of Religious Affairs, since the final BPIH may differ from the proposed amount after deliberation.
  • Keep your Hajj savings deposit active, as the initial deposit secures a place in the waiting list even as costs are debated.
  • Plan for currency risk, since a weaker rupiah can push the final cost higher than early estimates.
  • Budget for airfare, the largest single component and the main driver of the proposed increase.
  • Verify your queue position through official channels rather than relying on informal estimates of wait times.
  • Watch for the parliamentary decision that will confirm the 2027 cost before making firm financial commitments.

The 2027 Hajj cost debate underscores the tension between keeping the pilgrimage affordable and protecting the fund that millions of waiting Indonesians rely on. The final figure will emerge only after parliament and the ministry reach agreement.