Note that a "thru-hike permit" just requires you to state that you intend to hike at least 500 miles of the PCT. I.e., it's excellent for chunk-hiking, doesn't imply that all recipients plan to hike the whole trail in one year. Still, your point is entirely valid (!).

I remember standing in line at Toulumne Meadows to get a burger at the grill, and the line was all of maybe 4 people long. If I waited to get my package there I perhaps waited behind one other person. Dozens in line boggles the mind, as I was right with the "herd" or perhaps just a bit ahead in 2008. By the time you're at Toulumne Meadows you're done with the Sierras and have hiked on the order of 1000 miles or so.

Hmm, but I wonder how many JMT hikers resupply there too? I wouldn't think a lot do. Doing the JMT I just got a resupply bucket at Muir Trail Ranch. But maybe some do. Time of day and time of year makes a big difference too. Still, the hiker ghetto set aside for PCT thru-hikers at Tuolumne Meadows was quite full and party-on atmosphere when I was there; pleasant then, perhaps a madhouse now (?).

Hard to put this stuff into perspective; we'll get post-year stats at some point for those interested.

Here's a graph made in December of PCT finishers by year, though of course the data is always suspect (self-reported finishers, no one is there taking attendance!):
http://www.guthookhikes.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/PCT_FINISHERS.png

The book 'Wild' was published early in 2012; the movie, of course, came out in December of last year.