The Way of Saint James in Numbers: Statistics from the Past Year

As enthusiasts of the Jacobean universe, this new year prompts us to take stock of how many pilgrims decided to embark on the Camino de Santiago in 2023. In this article, we will analyze the statistics of the Camino from the last year: how many pilgrims reached Santiago, their favorite routes, where they came from, and more. We will also compare what the past year has left us with previous years to observe the evolution of the different Jacobean routes.

To start with, we can already announce that the Way is very much alive. Keep reading as we present you with the figures of the Camino de Santiago in 2023.

The Way of Saint James in Numbers in 2023

To understand how the Way fared in 2023, we turn to the provisional data provided by the Pilgrim Office of Santiago de Compostela. As you may know, this office is responsible for issuing the Compostela and collecting information from pilgrims who request it. On its website, it provides data on the Way of Saint James from the year 2003. We have consulted it, and it gives us the following overview of the year 2023 for the Way of Saint James in numbers.

Camino de Santiago Statistics in 2023. Source: Pilgrim Office website of Santiago de Compostela.

As can be seen, a total of 446,039 pilgrims arrived in Santiago in 2023 and requested the Compostela. It’s important to note that not all pilgrims who arrive in Santiago request the Compostela, and the actual number is likely higher. Additionally, many pilgrims do not even reach Santiago but only complete segments of the Way.

Nevertheless, to the point, let’s now analyze in detail the statistics of the Way of Saint James from the past year, 2023.

Where were the pilgrims who walked the Way from?

Nearly 45% of the pilgrims who arrived in Santiago in 2023 were Spanish, with a total of 197,185, making it the majority nationality. According to the Autonomous Community of origin, Andalusian pilgrims stood out with 46,246, followed by those from Madrid, Valencia, Catalonia, and Galicia.

The second most present country on the Camino was the United States, with 32,069, almost 8%. They were followed by Italy (28,649), Germany (24,347), and Portugal (20,698). Foreign pilgrims totaled 243,141, surpassing the number of Spanish pilgrims.

Which Jacobean routes were the most popular?

The top 3 preferred routes are led by the French Way, as has been customary in recent years and throughout history. With 219,786 pilgrims, almost half of the total, the data is not surprising, as it is perhaps the most beautiful, easy, and popular Jacobean route. It is followed by the Portuguese Way, with 88,717, and the Portuguese Way along the Coast, with 52,747. The following table provides more details:

Statistics of the total number of pilgrims by Routes in 2023. Source: Pilgrim Office website of Santiago de Compostela.

What are the favorite starting points for the Way?

The town of Sarria in Lugo, with 131,129 pilgrims, is the preferred starting point for the Way, with almost 31% of pilgrims. It is followed by Oporto, with 46,273, approximately 11%, serving as the starting point for both the historical Portuguese route and the Coastal route. The city of Tui follows, with 32,855, making up less than 8% of pilgrims.

In which months of the year were there more pilgrims?

The favorite month for pilgrims is August, with 16% and a total of 69,469 pilgrims. And the list continues:

• September, with just over 15%;
• May, with almost 14%;
• July, with just over 13%;
• June, slightly exceeding 13%;
• October, with almost 12%;
• April, not reaching 10%.

The pilgrim numbers for the months of November, December, January, February, and March together do not surpass 7%.

Statistics of the total number of pilgrims per month in 2023. Source: Pilgrim Office website of Santiago de Compostela.

How did they pilgrimage to Santiago?

Walking the Way is the preferred method for pilgrims to enjoy the journey: 404,178 walked, representing just over 93%. A little over 5% of pilgrims used a bicycle. As for pilgrims on horseback, by sail, and in wheelchairs, the numbers are very low.

What were the main motivations?

Regarding the question of why undertake the Camino, a total of 184,866 pilgrims declared doing it for religious reasons, close to 43%. The remaining motivations were a mix of religious and others, accounting for just over 34%, and finally, non-religious motivations accounted for close to 23%.

Who pilgrimed more, women or men?

Women are warriors, and very pilgrim, as women have represented a majority on the Jacobean routes for quite some time. A total of 231,850 women completed the Way, just over 53%, while 204,126 men, nearly 47%, also made the pilgrimage.

Finally, what ages did the pilgrims belong to?

The Way can be undertaken at any age, and in the three age groups analyzed, we have pilgrims. People aged between 46 and 65 stood out, numbering 117,530, representing almost 41%. Adults aged between 18 and 45 make up 39.5%. Those over 65 slightly exceed 11%, and lastly, mentioning those under 18, they account for just over 8%.

The evolution of the Way in the last 20 years

Here we present the total number of pilgrims from 2003 to 2023. We indicate when it was a Holy Year, when it was an Extraordinary Holy Year, and the fateful year of COVID-19. Let’s take a closer look at the evolution of the Way of Saint James in different years, which have been milestones in one way or another.

Annual total pilgrim statistics between 2003 and 2023. Source: Pilgrim Office website of Santiago de Compostela.

The Way’s statistics show that it has been growing year after year more or less regularly. As seen, Holy Years always significantly increase the total number of pilgrims compared to previous years.

In 2017, the 300,000 pilgrims mark was surpassed for the first time, a figure that dropped dramatically in the COVID-19 year. The Way begins to revive and regain strength in the Holy Year of 2021, although far from the figures of 2017. In 2022, the record of 2017 is surpassed with over 400,000 pilgrims.

Detailed statistics of the Way

In the table below, we show data from 2023, the three previous years, and 2016 and 2010, Holy Years of the past decade. We zoom in and analyze a bit more to see how the different routes of the Camino evolved.

Pilgrim statistics by routes in recent years. Source: Pilgrim Office website of Santiago de Compostela.

The statistics of the Camino are clear. It is important to note the significance of the French Way, which is always the most traveled route, although the figures have decreased slightly compared to 2022. The same happens with the Portuguese Way, a very popular route, although it has decreased compared to the previous year.

On the other hand, the Portuguese Way along 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 growth of the English, Primitive, and Northern Ways in recent years. It is quite curious, on the other hand, the decrease and stagnation of pilgrims on the Via de la Plata and the Way of Finisterre and Muxía. Finally, the Winter Way and the rest of the routes (others), formalized in recent years, are gradually attracting more pilgrims.

Highlights from the statistics of the Camino in 2023

As we can see, the Way is in good shape and progressing well, with a total increase of 2% in pilgrims compared to the previous year. As conclusions from the statistics of the Camino, we can summarize them as follows:

• the French Way continues to be the most popular route;
• the significant growth of the Portuguese Way along the Coast;
• the gradual increase in interest in other lesser-known routes;
• the greater presence of foreign pilgrims, coming from more parts of the world.

Despite COVID-19 in 2020, the Way recovered very well in 2021, as it became an outdoor, safe, and healthy vacation alternative. In 2022, thanks to the declaration of the Extraordinary Holy Year by Pope Francis, the recovery trend stabilizes with a new record.

In conclusion, 2023 has been a good pilgrim year and confirms that the Way is an experience that increasingly attracts more people. The World Youth Days held in Lisbon attracted many young pilgrims from around the world in August, due to the proximity to Santiago.

And what is it about the Way of Saint James? If you haven’t done it yet, don’t let others tell you about it. We can help you experience all the magic that comes with walking the Camino de Santiago in 2024.