Saudi Arabia: Umrah pilgrim numbers rise 31% in fourth quarter of 2024

Dubai: The number of Umrah pilgrims in Saudi Arabia surged by 31 percent during the fourth quarter of 2024 compared to the same period in the previous year, according to new data released by the General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT) on Thursday.

The report, part of a quarterly statistical release introduced in 2024, revealed a notable increase in both domestic and international pilgrim participation. Males accounted for 53 percent of the pilgrims, while females made up 47 percent.

Saudi nationals constituted 4.5 percent of the total number of Umrah pilgrims, with the Mecca Region recording the highest number of domestic performers of the pilgrimage.

The report also noted a 26.2 percent rise in the number of foreign pilgrims during the same period, compared to the fourth quarter of 2023.

Of the international pilgrims, 64.7 percent arrived in the Kingdom on dedicated Umrah visas. December emerged as the busiest month for international arrivals, representing 38.2 percent of the total foreign Umrah pilgrims during the quarter.

Domestically, November saw the highest proportion of citizens and residents performing Umrah once, accounting for 34 percent of the quarter’s domestic participation.

The statistics were compiled in collaboration with the Pilgrim Experience Programme and based on approved statistical models.