The Camino de Santiago is a pilgrimage route walked by more and more pilgrims, most of whom are Spanish. However, over the years, the number of international pilgrims has been significantly increasing, as well as the variety of their countries of origin. So we ask ourselves: where do the pilgrims who walk the Camino de Santiago come from? Based on the official statistics for the year 2024, let’s explore the origins of the pilgrims who make the Camino a melting pot of cultures.
Origin of Pilgrims on the Camino de Santiago
The Camino de Santiago has roots that date back to the Middle Ages. It has always been a symbol of unity and spirituality, attracting pilgrims from all over the world. It is also a space for cultural exchange and encounters between people from different countries and backgrounds. The international appeal of the Jacobean routes is reflected in the diversity of its walkers. This confluence of nationalities and spirit of fraternity make this pilgrimage a very special journey.
Pilgrims from all over the world walk the Camino de Santiago every year
Every year, more foreign pilgrims walk the Camino, and their countries of origin are increasingly diverse. Let’s take a look at where the pilgrims came from in 2024.
How many pilgrims walked the Camino de Santiago in 2024?
In 2024, nearly half a million pilgrims arrived in Santiago and requested the Compostela, according to data from the Pilgrim’s Office. Not all pilgrims who reach Santiago request it, so the actual number could be higher. Also, many pilgrims do not reach Santiago but only walk certain sections of the Camino.
How many national pilgrims were there?
Nearly 44% (about 220,000) of the pilgrims who arrived in Santiago in 2024 were Spanish, making them the majority nationality. Among them, Andalusian pilgrims stand out (nearly 1 in 4 Spanish pilgrims), followed by those from Madrid, Valencia, Catalonia, and Galicia. The image below speaks for itself.
National pilgrims in 2024 by Autonomous Communities. Source: Pilgrim’s Office of Santiago de Compostela
How many international pilgrims were there?
The United States was the second most represented country on the Camino, with 39,849 pilgrims, nearly 8%, and the top country among foreigners. It was followed by Italy (30,282), Germany (24,971), and Portugal (22,412). Foreign pilgrims totaled nearly 280,000, surpassing the number of Spaniards.
As we can see, the continents of America and Europe lead in terms of pilgrim numbers. However, we can say that there are pilgrim representatives from every continent, as shown in the image below. In fact, some even come from countries you may have never heard of.
Countries of origin of pilgrims in 2024. Source: Pilgrim’s Office of Santiago de Compostela
In conclusion, we can confirm that the Camino is very much alive and continues to grow in numbers. In recent years, there have been more and more international pilgrims, and the diversity of countries in this living Tower of Babel keeps increasing.
The Camino de Santiago is a route that welcomes everyone, regardless of origin, language, skin color, or beliefs. That is the true wealth of the Camino, and perhaps one of its greatest strengths. The Camino’s power to unite, bring people together, and foster connections is more than evident and is one of its main attractions. Because, as you can read upon arriving in Santiago, Europe was built on the way to Compostela.
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