Saudi Arabia has restored the Hajj pilgrimage quota to almost pre-pandemic levels. Not only that, but the government has also lifted all Covid-19 related restrictions for prospective pilgrims this year.
Citing data from *Arabian Business*, approximately 2 million pilgrims from around the world are expected to perform Hajj in the Holy Land in 2023.
Compared to last year, the global Hajj quota was only 1 million, half the number this year. In 2021, it was around 58,745, while in 2020 it was zero due to the early stages of the Covid-19 pandemic, leading the Saudi government to cancel the pilgrimage.
In 2019, before the pandemic, the global Hajj quota was 2.48 million.
Indonesia received the largest Hajj quota in the world in 2023. A total of 221,000 Indonesian pilgrims were allocated, comprising 203,320 regular pilgrims and 17,680 special pilgrims.
The Saudi Arabian government also provided an additional 8,000 Hajj quotas for Indonesia this year. Therefore, including the additional quota, the total Indonesian Hajj quota reaches 229,000.
As the country with the world's largest Muslim population, Indonesia consistently receives the largest Hajj quota globally.
Following Indonesia, Pakistan ranks second with the largest Hajj quota in 2023, at 179,210. India and Bangladesh follow with quotas of 175,025 and 127,198 respectively.
Based on data compiled by *Databoks.co.id* from various sources, here are the top 10 countries with the largest number of Hajj pilgrims in 2023:
1. Indonesia: 221,000 pilgrims
2. Pakistan: 179,210 pilgrims
3. India: 175,025 pilgrims
4. Bangladesh: 127,198 pilgrims
5. Nigeria: 95,000 pilgrims
6. Iran: 87,550 pilgrims
7. Turkey: 79,000 pilgrims
8. Egypt: 78,000 pilgrims
9. Algeria: 41,300 pilgrims
10. Sudan: 32,000 pilgrims