
Massive turnout in Makkah marked a smooth and successful Hajj season for over 1.6 million worshippers.
MAKKAH, Saudi Arabia – Saudi Arabia successfully concluded the 2025 Hajj pilgrimage with a remarkable turnout of 1,673,230 pilgrims, according to data released by the General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT).
The annual pilgrimage, which took place in early June, saw 1,506,576 international pilgrims entering the Kingdom through air, land, and sea. Of those, a significant 1.4 million arrived via airports, underscoring the efficiency of Saudi Arabia’s logistical and immigration systems. Another 166,654 pilgrims were Saudi nationals or residents performing Hajj domestically.
This year’s Hajj also recorded a near-equal gender distribution, with 877,841 male and 795,389 female pilgrims, a testament to growing accessibility and inclusivity in the Kingdom’s religious tourism sector.
A notable highlight was the continued implementation of the Makkah Route Initiative, which benefitted 314,337 international pilgrims—around 21% of the total arrivals from abroad. The initiative, active since 2017, streamlines visa issuance, customs, and health checks in the pilgrims’ countries of origin, easing their journey and experience upon arrival in Saudi Arabia.

The figures were compiled using administrative records provided by the Ministry of Interior, following a refined methodology that GASTAT has employed over the past five years. This approach ensures high data accuracy, reflecting the Kingdom’s commitment to continual improvement in service delivery.
President of GASTAT, Dr. Fahad bin Abdullah Aldossari, expressed gratitude to Saudi leadership for their efforts in ensuring the success of this year’s Hajj. “We extend our sincere appreciation to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, and to His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Deputy Prime Minister, for their unwavering support and comprehensive care provided to the pilgrims,” said Dr. Aldossari.
Behind the scenes, a dedicated workforce of over 420,000 personnel from public, private, and security sectors supported the pilgrims throughout their spiritual journey. In addition, 34,540 volunteers collectively contributed over 2.1 million hours of service across the holy sites, further highlighting the Kingdom’s robust infrastructure and hospitality capabilities.
Saudi Arabia’s successful management of Hajj 2025 reaffirms its leadership in hosting one of the largest annual religious gatherings in the world, combining traditional hospitality with state-of-the-art logistics to ensure safety, comfort, and a spiritually fulfilling experience for all.
Source: General Authority for Statistics, Saudi Arabia