Govt Hajj pilgrims drop 56% in 3 years; quota rises to 6,000

Highlights: 

• Hajj operations to be conducted by 71 agencies
• Bangladesh seeks additional quota for 16,833 pilgrims

The number of Bangladeshi pilgrims performing Hajj under government management has been declining steadily in recent years. While 10,360 pilgrims performed Hajj under government management in 2023, the number fell to 4,562 in 2024. It rose slightly to 5,200 in 2025 before declining again to 4,565 in 2026.

Against this backdrop, the government has set the quota for Hajj pilgrims under government management at 6,000 for 2027.

The information was disclosed in documents prepared by the Ministry of Religious Affairs as part of preparations for the 2027 Hajj season.

Saudi Arabia has set Bangladesh's total Hajj quota at 78,500 for 2027. Of this, 6,000 pilgrims will be allowed to perform Hajj under government management and 72,500 under private management.

According to the documents, 71 Hajj agencies will conduct Hajj operations in coordination under 28 lead agencies during the 2027 season.

The ministry has received requests from different lead agencies to register an additional 16,833 pilgrims beyond the allocated quota.

The process is underway to send a letter to the Saudi government requesting an increase in Bangladesh's Hajj quota to accommodate these additional pilgrims.

The ministry's documents say that if the additional quota is approved, the total number of Bangladeshi Hajj pilgrims in 2027 could reach around 96,000.

Sharp decline under government management

An analysis of data provided by the Ministry of Religious Affairs for 2022-2026 shows that the number of pilgrims performing Hajj under government management was highest in 2023.

That year, Bangladesh's total Hajj quota was 122,558, of whom 10,360, or around 8%, performed Hajj under government management.

In 2024, the total quota fell to 85,257, while the number of pilgrims under government management dropped to 4,562.

In 2025, out of a total quota of 79,500, 5,200 pilgrims performed Hajj under government management.

In 2026, Bangladesh had a total quota of 78,500, of whom 4,565 performed Hajj under government management.

Thus, compared with 2023, the number of pilgrims under government management fell by 5,795, or around 56%, in 2026.

At the same time, reliance on private Hajj management increased. Of the total quota of 78,500 in 2026, as many as 73,935 pilgrims performed Hajj through private arrangements.

Preparations for 2027 Hajj underway

The government has already announced two Hajj packages for 2027.

The minimum package under government management has been priced at Tk505,648, while the other package will cost Tk615,263. Under private management, the general package has been set at Tk513,648.

A team from the Ministry of Religious Affairs has also received approval to visit Saudi Arabia to secure accommodation for pilgrims travelling under government management.

According to the Saudi government's roadmap, the bilateral agreement between Bangladesh and Saudi Arabia on the 2027 Hajj is scheduled to be signed on 8 November 2026.

Hajj visa issuance is scheduled to begin on 28 January next year, while Hajj flights from Bangladesh are expected to start on 8 April. Hajj is likely to be held on 15 May next year, subject to moon sighting.

According to the Ministry of Religious Affairs, the final number of pilgrims will be communicated to the Saudi authorities after registration is completed.

Subsequent preparations will include payment of the Saudi portion of Hajj expenses, health examinations, fitness certificates, vaccinations and training, among other arrangements.

However, the continued decline in participation under government management in recent years remains a challenge for the government. Although the quota has been increased to 6,000 for 2027, it is still 4,360 lower than the 10,360 pilgrims who performed Hajj under government management in 2023.