Statistics of the Camino de Santiago in recent years

El Camino de Santiago sigue batiendo récords de peregrinos año tras año. Analizamos la evolución desde 2003 hasta 2025, el impacto de los Años Santos y la pandemia, y qué rutas son hoy las más populares.

The Camino de Santiago has witnessed a steady growth over the last two decades, becoming one of the most traveled pilgrimage routes in the world. Year after year, thousands of walkers embark on the journey to Santiago de Compostela through the Jacobean routes, motivated by spiritual, cultural, or sporting reasons. However, certain events, such as the Holy Years or the COVID-19 pandemic, have marked significant milestones in the evolution of the number of pilgrims. Through the analysis of the statistics of the Camino de Santiago in recent years, we can observe how the figures of pilgrims have varied, which routes have gained popularity, and how this millenary tradition has evolved to reach record numbers today.

Pilgrims after finishing their Camino in the Obradoiro square, in front of the façade of the Cathedral of Santiago

The evolution of the Camino in the last 23 years

Here we present the total number of pilgrims from 2003 to 2025. We indicate when it was a Holy Year (*), when it was an Extraordinary Holy Year (**), and the fateful year of COVID-19 (***). Let us take a closer look at the evolution of the Camino de Santiago in different years, which have been very important milestones in one way or another.

Total number of pilgrims per year from 2003 to 2025

The statistics of the Camino show that it has been growing year after year in a more or less regular manner. As can be seen, holy years always significantly increase the total number of pilgrims compared to previous years.

In 2017, the number of pilgrims exceeded 300,000 for the first time, a figure that drastically dropped in the COVID-19 year. The Camino begins to revive and rebounds strongly in the Holy Year 2021, although still far from the figures of 2017. By 2022, the record of 2017 is surpassed with more than 400 thousand pilgrims, and in 2025 we will exceed half a million.

The statistics of the routes of the Camino de Santiago in recent years

In the following table, we present data from 2025, the five previous years, and from 2016 and 2010, holy years of the past decade. We take a closer look and analyze a bit more to see how the different routes of the Camino de Santiago have evolved.

Growth of the Camino de Santiago

The statistics of the Camino are clear. It is important to highlight the significance of the French Way, which is always the most traveled route. In second place, as has been customary, is the Portuguese Way, a very popular route.

On its part, the Portuguese Way by the Coast is experiencing significant growth in the number of pilgrims. This is due to its beauty, of course, and perhaps because of the international air connection offered by Porto Airport. It is also worth noting the English Ways, Way of Finisterre and Muxía, Primitivo, and North, which have also been growing in recent years. The Silver Way is experiencing a slight decline and, lastly, the Winter Way and the rest of the routes (others), formalized in recent years, are gradually attracting more pilgrims.

The statistics of the Camino de Santiago in recent years reflect a clear trend: the number of pilgrims has steadily increased, consolidating this route as one of the most important pilgrimages in the world. Despite moments of crisis, such as the impact of the pandemic in 2020, the Camino has demonstrated a great capacity for recovery, reaching record figures in recent years. With the current figures and the growing popularity of the Camino, the future looks promising. Every year, more people discover the magic of this unique experience, contributing to the evolution and preservation of a tradition that remains alive after centuries. And you, have you not yet walked the Camino de Santiago?