World · Middle East · 3 hrs ago
Foreign Umrah pilgrim numbers rose to 18 million in 2025
Saudi Arabia’s Hajj and Umrah minister said foreign Umrah pilgrim numbers rose to 18 million in 2025, up from about 8.4 million in 2022.
The figures cover pilgrims arriving from outside the Kingdom.
Visits to Al-Rawdah Al-Sharifah at the Prophet’s Mosque in Madinah also increased, from around 6 million in 2022 to nearly 16 million in 2025.
The minister said more than 60 government agencies coordinate pilgrim services through hundreds of annual operational plans.
Saudi Arabia’s tourism minister said about 400 accommodation buildings were taken out of service for failing safety and quality standards.
Officials said licensing for buildings for Hajj 2027 is complete, as preparations continue for the season.
Foreign Umrah pilgrim arrivals to Saudi Arabia rose from about 8.4 million in 2022 to 18 million in 2025, Minister of Hajj and Umrah Tawfiq Al-Rabiah said.
Al-Rabiah attributed the increase to continued service development and the efforts of relevant authorities.
He made the remarks at a ministerial session during the Hajj Conference and Exhibition in Jeddah.
More than 60 government agencies are involved in the Hajj system, operating under about 600 annual plans, he said.
- Who
- Foreign Umrah pilgrims arriving in Saudi Arabia.
- What
- Their number rose from about 8.4 million in 2022 to 18 million in 2025.
- When
- The figures cover 2022 and 2025; the minister reported them on Monday.
- Where
- Saudi Arabia; the minister made the announcement in Jeddah.
- Why
- Al-Rabiah said the growth was made possible by continued service development and the concerted efforts of relevant authorities.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
About 8.4 million Umrah pilgrims arrived from outside Saudi Arabia.
The number of foreign Umrah pilgrims reached 18 million.
Al-Rabiah shared the figures at a ministerial session during the Hajj Conference and Exhibition in Jeddah.
- Foreign Umrah pilgrims in 2022
- Approximately 8.4 million
- Foreign Umrah pilgrims in 2025
- 18 million
- Al-Rawdah Al-Sharifah visitors in 2022
- Around 6 million
- Al-Rawdah Al-Sharifah visitors in 2025
- Nearly 16 million
- Hajj system agencies
- More than 60 government agencies
What people are saying
These achievements were made possible by continuous service development and the concerted efforts of the relevant authorities