In a new report released by the General Authority for Statistics (GAS), the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia recorded a total of 15,222,497 Umrah pilgrims in the first quarter of 2025. This staggering figure reflects the Kingdom’s continued efforts to enhance religious tourism and streamline pilgrim services under Vision 2030. The report, which was made public earlier today, highlights not only the volume of pilgrims but also provides a demographic breakdown and comparative insights with the previous year.
According to the official bulletin, Saudi nationals comprised 24% of the overall pilgrim population, showing a strong domestic participation in the spiritual journey. The gender distribution showed a higher number of male participants, accounting for 60.5% of all pilgrims, while females represented 39.5%, a ratio that reflects broader travel and logistical dynamics across regions.
A notable highlight in the statistics is the international turnout. The number of pilgrims arriving from outside the Kingdom reached 6,523,630, marking a 10.7% increase compared to figures from the same period in 2024. This surge is largely attributed to relaxed visa procedures, improved flight connectivity, and the Kingdom’s significant investment in infrastructure and digital services around the Two Holy Mosques.
The report further notes that the vast majority of international pilgrims, a remarkable 82.2%, made their entry through Saudi Arabia’s airports, reaffirming air travel as the dominant mode of entry into the Kingdom. Land and sea entries comprised the remaining percentage, reflecting the logistical accessibility for pilgrims coming from neighbouring regions.
On the domestic front, 8,698,867 pilgrims were recorded within the same three-month period. Interestingly, among these, non-Saudis made up the majority with 58% of the total domestic pilgrim count. This indicates the vibrant presence of resident expatriates from various nationalities who continue to engage actively in Umrah throughout the year.
The growing figures come in the wake of ongoing reforms and large-scale development projects under the Saudi government’s vision to welcome 30 million Umrah pilgrims annually by the year 2030. With technology playing a key role in the registration and management of pilgrims, the 2025 first quarter statistics present a strong indication that the Kingdom is steadily moving toward that ambitious goal.
These latest developments further reinforce Saudi Arabia’s position as a central hub for Islamic pilgrimage, with numbers expected to climb in the subsequent quarters leading into the peak Hajj season.
