In an exclusive report by Iran Press/ West Asia, a detailed breakdown of the Hajj 2024 pilgrims’ demographics has been released. According to the General Authority for Statistics Saudi Arabia (GASTAT), the sacred pilgrimage drew approximately 1,833,164 devotees comprising both genders. Interestingly, of this staggering number, an overwhelming 1,611,310 pilgrims journeyed from abroad, entering Saudi Arabia through a multitude of ports. The number of local pilgrims did not fall short either, with a considerable count of 221,854 participating from within the kingdom itself.
The gender dynamics of the venerated annual event proved equally balanced. GASTAT, in its announcement on Saturday, disclosed that the tally of male pilgrims, inclusive of both internal and external counts, reached 958,137. This figure was closely followed by an impressive count of 875,027 female pilgrims.
The geographical span of the pilgrims was broad and varied, reflecting the vast reach of the Islamic faith across the globe. The data demonstrated that 22.3 percent of the pilgrims hailed from various Arab states. However, the Asian contingent, excluding those from the Arab states, formed the majority with a count of 63.3 percent. Pilgrims from African nations, excluding the Arab states, also accounted for a significant 11.3 percent. Lastly, the combined percentage of pilgrims originating from Europe, America, Australia, and other unclassified regions stood at 3.2 percent.
Delving further into the modes of transport, GASTAT reported that a staggering 1,546,345 pilgrims, irrespective of gender, journeyed via airports. In comparison, land crossings were accessed by 60,251 pilgrims, while seaports saw a smaller influx of 4,714 devotees.
This annual pilgrimage, dating back to the time of Abraham, is one of the five pillars of Islam, symbolizing spiritual unity and equality. These figures serve as a prime example of the Hajj’s global resonance and the unwavering dedication of its followers on an international scale.
