Development of Pilgrims Numbers during the period 2000-2019

Abstract

Hajj statistics are a key pillar to identify changes in the number of pilgrims at certain points of time, which contributes in providing the responsible bodies with the statistical data necessary to develop plans and programs aimed at facilitating the pilgrimage operations and remove obstacles that may face them. The expectations of numbers of pilgrims also help to develop the services provided by the Kingdom to the pilgrims to ensure their security and to allow their performance to the rites easily. The current research shows that the growth rate of the number of pilgrims fluctuated during different periods of time, with the period 2015-2019 recorded the highest rate of 4.9%. The data indicates that the abroad pilgrims made up the largest percentage of the total pilgrims during the years of the period 2000-2019 and ranged between 55.4% in 2012 to 74.5% in 2019. Pilgrims from Asian countries, excluding Arab countries, accounted for the largest proportion of foreign pilgrims in all years during the period 2016-2019 and their share of the total number of foreign pilgrims ranged from 56% in 2016 to 60.7% in 2019. Arab countries, excluding the GCC, ranked second, representing 21.9% in 2017 and 22.6% in 2016. Pilgrims from African countries, except Arab countries, ranked third and ranged between 9.4% in 2018 and 12.6% in 2016. The rest of the nationalities of the abroad pilgrims, have formed modest proportions.