The Camino de Santiago Welcomes a Growing Number of Foreign Pilgrims Compared to Spaniards Every Year
In recent years, the Camino de Santiago has been attracting a growing number of pilgrims from different countries around the world. In fact, in 2023 a total of 243,167 international pilgrims arrived from a wide variety of places, which contrasts with the 197,200 Spanish pilgrims who decided to walk the route that same year. As we move into 2024, the numbers keep rising, with a total of 261,734 foreign pilgrims compared to 195,461 Spaniards who walked the Camino. It is interesting to note that only during certain times of the year, specifically the summer months and Easter Week, do Spanish pilgrims manage to outnumber the many foreigners who have also chosen this famous route.
Looking more closely at the statistics from recent years, we see that in March of both 2023 and 2024, the percentage of national pilgrims who requested the Compostela was 54% and 58% respectively. In July, the percentages were 58% in 2023 and 57% in 2024, while in August they rose to 63% and 59%. These percentages show that, with the exception of August 2023, the difference in numbers between national and foreign pilgrims does not exceed 10 points. In the months of 2024 when foreign pilgrims predominate on the Camino, the percentages have proven to be even higher compared to the months when Spaniards lead. May in particular stood out, with an impressive 73% of pilgrims being international rather than national. Other months also showed significant figures, such as February with 64%, April with 66%, June with 61%, and September with 63%. So far, in the first 13 days of October 2024, the percentage of foreign pilgrims has reached a remarkable 73%. All of this data clearly and firmly shows that the Camino de Santiago has become a popular trend internationally, drawing more and more people from a wide range of cultures and backgrounds.
It is, without doubt, the high influx of walkers and pilgrims from other countries that has driven a significant rise in the number of people who have walked the Camino de Santiago in 2024. This growth has been so remarkable that the total number of pilgrims for the whole of 2023 has already been surpassed, even though there are still two and a half months left before the year ends, so new pilgrims keep being added to the count. According to figures from the Pilgrim’s Reception Office, over the twelve months of 2023 a total of 446,078 Compostelas were issued — the certificates pilgrims receive at the end of their route. By contrast, so far this year 459,030 certificates have already been issued, an increase of almost thirteen thousand compared with the previous year.
To the 459,030 pilgrims who had walked the Camino as of yesterday, a Sunday, the figures for the final months of the year must still be added. It is worth remembering that the number of walkers arriving often drops during these months compared with other times of year. In 2023, between October and December, 67,108 pilgrims arrived, of whom more than 53,000 walkers arrived in October alone. This year, 2024, in the first twelve days of October, 29,956 people have requested the Compostela, which means that to match last year’s figure, around 26,000 more will need to arrive during the last two weeks of the month. According to information provided by the Pilgrim’s Office, on the last public holiday, 12 October, 2,721 pilgrims were recorded arriving in the city of Compostela. Yesterday, Sunday, a further 1,835 walkers arrived in the same city.
Looking at the nationalities of the foreign pilgrims who have walked the Camino so far this year, Americans have kept their position as the most numerous, repeating the first place they already held in 2023. Italy and Germany hold second and third place, followed by Portugal, occupying the same positions as the previous year. However, from fifth place onwards there are some changes compared with 2023. In 2024, the ranking of countries down to thirteenth place runs as follows: United Kingdom, Ireland, France, Mexico, Poland, Canada, Australia, South Korea and Brazil. It is interesting to note that, by the end of 2023, Ireland, a country with a rich Catholic tradition, held ninth place, unlike the sixth place it holds this year. Meanwhile, South Korea, a tourism market of great interest for the city of Santiago de Compostela, has seen its share fall, dropping to twelfth place in 2024 compared with eighth the previous year.
Good-Practice Campaign for Tourism in Santiago de Compostela
With the aim of encouraging and strengthening civic behaviour among those arriving in the city, Santiago City Council launched a Good Practices campaign that began on 23 August and ran for a period of 45 days. Ten information officers took part in this campaign, working in pairs and stationed at different entrances to the city’s historic centre. The locations chosen included key spots such as Xoán XXIII and San Pedro.
The main task of these information officers was to inform visitors and tourists about the various spaces and services the city has to offer, beyond traditional sites such as the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela and its immediate surroundings. The purpose of this was to help tourists discover other corners of Santiago that are also of great interest and beauty.
In addition to providing information, the officers were equipped with sound level meters, devices used to measure ambient noise levels. With these meters, they took measurements to raise awareness among visitors, tourists and pilgrims about the fragility of the area’s cultural heritage and the importance of maintaining a respectful noise level. This effort aims to highlight the need for respect towards the local population, as well as towards the historic and cultural heritage found in the city.
The campaign was not only focused on providing information, but also on educating those who visit Santiago, creating a more harmonious and respectful atmosphere in the city.
