According to the Hajj management portal of Bangladesh’s Ministry of Religious Affairs, a total of 78,500 Bangladeshi pilgrims will travel to Saudi Arabia for Hajj in 2026 under the country’s allocated quota. Of them, 65 percent are men and 35 percent are women. Dhaka Division has the highest share of pilgrims at 36.37 percent, while Barishal Division has the lowest at 3.03 percent. Flights carrying pilgrims began on Friday night, with 4,565 traveling under government management and 73,935 under private agencies.

The ministry’s data shows that 32.68 percent of pilgrims are aged between 50 and 60 years, while 5.94 percent are over 70. Chattogram Division accounts for 20.2 percent of pilgrims, followed by Rajshahi with 13.13 percent, Rangpur with 8.08 percent, and Khulna with 7.07 percent. Sylhet and Mymensingh each contribute about 6 percent.

Professionally, 40 percent of this year’s pilgrims are businesspeople, and 31 percent are homemakers. Private-sector employees make up 10 percent, while government employees, teachers, doctors, and students each represent 1 percent. Farmers account for 5 percent, retirees 3 percent, and others 6 percent.