Istanbul has been named the most congested city in the world for 2024, with drivers losing an average of 105 hours to traffic delays, according to Inrix’s 2024 Global Traffic Scorecard.
The report shows a 15% increase in delays for the Turkish metropolis compared to 2023, highlighting the growing strain on its road networks as urbanisation and economic activity intensify.
Following Istanbul, New York City and Chicago share second place globally, with drivers in both US cities losing 102 hours to congestion.
Mexico City ranks fourth, with 97 hours lost per driver, while London, with an average of 101 hours lost, rounds out the top five.
London, however, holds the title of Europe’s most congested city for the second consecutive year, accounting for nearly 50% of all traffic delays in the UK.
“Urban hubs like Istanbul and London are grappling with unique challenges tied to economic growth and population density,” said Bob Pishue, transportation analyst and author of the report.
“While London’s congestion growth was modest at 2%, Istanbul’s 15% surge underscores the pressure on cities experiencing rapid expansion.”
In the UK, London drivers incurred an annual cost of £942 each due to lost time, contributing to a nationwide total of £7.7bn.
The UK capital’s most congested corridor, the A40 westbound, added 68 hours of delays for drivers over the year.
Cities such as Manchester saw sharper increases, with delays rising 13% to rank as the fourth most congested city in the UK.
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