The Way of Saint James in Numbers: Statistics from the Past Year
11 January, 2026
Check the statistics of the Camino de Santiago by year and discover the evolution of the number of pilgrims, their profiles, and the most popular routes. The article analyzes the official data to understand trends, growth, and recent changes in this unique pilgrimage experience.
As passionate as we are about the Jacobean universe, in this new year it is time to take stock of how many pilgrims decided to undertake the Camino de Santiago in 2025. In this article, we will analyze the statistics of the Camino from the last year: how many pilgrims arrived in Santiago, what routes are their favorites, where they are from, etc. What the last year has left us in the different Jacobean routes tells us that the Camino de Santiago is very much alive. Keep reading, as we present to you the numbers of the Camino de Santiago in 2025 in a digestible format.
The Camino de Santiago in numbers in 2025
To know how the Camino was in 2025, we refer to the provisional data provided by the Pilgrim Office of Santiago de Compostela. As you may know, it is responsible for issuing the Compostela, as well as collecting information from the pilgrims who request it. On its website, it provides data on the Camino de Santiago since the year 2003. We have consulted it, and it gives us the following global overview of the year 2025 of the Camino de Santiago in numbers.
Statistics of the Camino de Santiago in 2025. Source: website of the Pilgrim Office of Santiago de Compostela.
As can be seen, a total of 530,987 pilgrims arrived in Santiago in 2025 and requested the Compostela. It should be noted that not all pilgrims who arrive in Santiago request the Compostela, and the actual number is likely higher. Furthermore, many do not even reach Santiago, but simply complete sections of the Camino.
Be that as it may, let us get to the point; we will now analyze in detail the statistics of the Camino de Santiago from the past year 2025.
Where were the pilgrims who undertook the Camino from?
Regarding the origin of the pilgrims, 43% of the pilgrims who arrived in Santiago in 2025 were Spanish, with a total of 228,527, making it the majority nationality. According to the Autonomous Community of origin, Andalusian pilgrims stand out, with 53,805, followed by those from Madrid, Valencia, Catalonia, and Galicia.
The second most represented country on the Camino was the United States, with 43,980, accounting for over 8%. Following are Italy (26,680), Germany (24,356), and Portugal (22,821). Foreign pilgrims total 302,460, surpassing national 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 242,179 pilgrims, nearly half of the total, this figure is not surprising, as it is perhaps the most beautiful, easy, and popular Jacobean route. Following is the Portuguese Way, with 100,835, and the Portuguese Way by the Coast, with 89,509. In the following image, we have more details:
Statistics of the total number of pilgrims by routes in 2025. Source: Santiago de Compostela Pilgrim Office website.
What are the favorite places to start the Camino?
The town of Sarria, with 162,040 pilgrims, is the preferred place to start the Camino, accounting for over 32% of pilgrims. Next is Porto, with 51,574, exceeding 11%, as the starting point for both the historical Portuguese route and the Coastal route. Following is the city of Tui, which with 41,646 surpasses 8% of pilgrims.
In which months of the year were there more pilgrims?
The preferred month for pilgrims is September, exceeding 15% and a total of 76,987 pilgrims. The list continues:
- May, with almost another 15%;
- August, with 14%;
- June, with almost 14%;
- July, comfortably exceeding 12%;
- October, exceeding 11%;
- April, with over 10%.
The figures for pilgrims in the months of November, December, January, February, and March together hover around 7%.
Statistics of the total number of pilgrims by month in 2025. Source: Santiago de Compostela Pilgrim Office website.
How did they pilgrimage to Santiago?
Walking the Camino is the preferred means for pilgrims to enjoy the Camino: there were 469,546, which represents just over 93%. By bicycle, 4% of pilgrims were registered. 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 to do the Camino, a total of 233,390 pilgrims stated they did it for religious reasons, just over 46%. The remaining motivations would be religious and others, with a long 33%, and finally, non-religious, with just over 19%.
Who were the more numerous pilgrims, women or men?
Girls are warriors, and very much pilgrims, and it has been a while since women have represented a majority on the Jacobean routes. A total of 267,481 women made the Camino, just over 53%, compared to 233,024 men, just over 46%.
And finally, what ages were the pilgrims?
The Camino can be done at any age, and in the three age ranges analyzed, we have pilgrims. Notably, adults aged between 18 and 45 years, a total of 202,477, just over 40%. Following are people aged between 46 and 65 years, representing a long 39%. Those over 65 years exceed 11% and, finally, those under 18 years exceed 8%.
Highlights from the Camino statistics in 2025
As we see, the Camino is in very good shape, and for the first time exceeds half a million pilgrims. Thus, it is progressing adequately, with a total increase of 6% in pilgrims compared to the previous year; however, the increase from last year compared to the year before (2025 compared to 2024) was 12%, so in terms of growth, this 2025 was notably lower than in 2024. As conclusions from the Camino statistics, we can summarize them as follows:
- a 6% increase in pilgrims compared to the previous year;
- the French Way remains the most popular route;
- the significant growth of the Portuguese Coastal Way;
- the gradual increase in interest in other lesser-known routes;
- the greater presence of foreign pilgrims, who increasingly come from more parts of the world.
The statistics of the Camino de Santiago in recent years reflect a clear growth trend. Despite COVID-19 in 2020, the Camino recovered very well in 2021, as it is a safe and healthy outdoor vacation alternative. In 2022, thanks to the declaration of the Extraordinary Holy Year by Pope Francis, the recovery path stabilizes with a new record.
In conclusion, 2025 has been a good pilgrim year and confirms to us that the Camino is an experience that increasingly attracts more people. Surpassing half a million in 2025, the year 2026 presents itself as a prelude to the Holy Year 2027, and perhaps it will surpass this new record. And what is it about the Camino de Santiago? If you haven't done it yet, don't let others tell you about it. We can help you experience all the magic that entails walking the Camino de Santiago in 2026.
