Number of foreign Hajj pilgrims Saudi Arabia 1999-2023

Since 1999, the Hajj pilgrimage in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, has attracted millions of people worldwide each year. The largest number of pilgrims was recorded between 2010 and 2012, with nearly one million more foreign pilgrims than in previous years. After opening to foreign pilgrims again, the ritual drew in nearly 800,000 visitors - a figure that was heavily regulated and capped due to the COVID-19 pandemic. As of 2023, 1.66 million Muslims from outside of Saudi Arabia performed the Hajj pilgrimage.

The Hajj

Millions of people flock to Mecca each year for a five- to six-day religious pilgrimage. In addition to thousands of local worshippers, there are millions of foreign religious pilgrims. Throughout the year, millions of visitors also perform the smaller pilgrimage, the Umrah. These pilgrims contribute to the biggest share of tourist spending in Saudi Arabia. Naturally, this has prompted the government to invest in various infrastructure projects, with the Grand Mosque expansion having the largest share of project investments relating to religious establishments in Saudi Arabia.

Tourism in Saudi Arabia

Tourism contribution to the Saudi economy has been largely flat since 2012, but this is expected to more than double by 2032. Religious tourism comprises the largest share of tourists to Saudi Arabia by purpose of visit. Although the Hajj and Umrah rituals are only prescribed in Mecca, many worshippers take the opportunity to visit Madinah, a city vastly popular among Muslims where the Prophet Muhammad’s Mosque and grave are situated, among other parts of the Kingdom. To tap into the opportunity and encourage various forms of tourism, Saudi Arabia rolled out an online one-year tourist visa for select countries whereby people could visit the rest of the country in addition to performing any religious pilgrimage.