There is no doubt that transportation is vital to global economic and social development but at the same time, if not properly managed, it can have a high human and economic cost.
The monetary impact of road traffic accidents, which includes the costs associated with road injuries such as medical expenses, lost productivity, and emergency response, is enormous – between 2015 and 2030, injuries resulting from road accidents are likely to cost the global economy US$1.8 trillion.
Which countries and regions are prone to the most road traffic accidents? Which type of vehicle is the most dangerous? How are countries addressing road traffic issues? Read our most recent article on this topic to learn the answers to these questions.
The global road safety statistics
According to the United Nations’ Global Status Report on Road Safety 2023, in 2021 alone, around 1.2 million people around the world died in road accidents. For comparison, approximately 350 people died in plane crashes, and 4,000 people were killed in rail accidents.
- The current figure of 1.2 million road traffic fatalities is still 5% lower than the 2010 level, when 1.25 million deaths were registered and this is despite the increase in the global population of one billion in 11 years
- Road accidents caused the highest number of fatalities among people aged 5 to 29
- 69% of fatalities are people aged 18 to 59
- 23% of fatalities are those aged 60+
- Three out of four killed in road accidents are men
Regional disparities in road traffic fatalities
Each region of the world has a different level of road traffic-related deaths as can be seen by comparing regional data in terms of a percentage of the total global number.
At the same time, some regions have registered notable success in reducing the number of road traffic fatalities:
- The European region registered a 36% decrease
- Western Pacific region achieved a 16% decrease
- South-East Asia region managed a 2% decrease
*No changes were registered in the Americas.
Traffic accident data by country income level
The Global Status Report on Road Safety 2023 notes that when countries are analyzed by their income level, the rate of fatalities varies. It emerges that lower- and upper-middle-income nations (111 countries, as per World Bank July 2025 number) account for the greatest share of road traffic fatalities:
- Lower-middle-income countries – 44%
- Upper middle-income countries – 35%
- Low-income countries – 13%
- High-income countries – 8%
High-income countries are home to around 16% of the population and 28% of all motor vehicles on the planet, and they also boast 88% of all paved inter-urban roads but what is their share of road traffic deaths? Just 8%.
Turning to low-income countries, these are home to just 9% of the population and under 1% of all the motor vehicles in the world. Nevertheless, the share of fatalities is 13%.
Fatalities by road user type
The report points out that pedestrians, cyclists, and those who drive two- and three-wheeled vehicles (motorcycles, mopeds, scooters, and e-bikes) are victims of road traffic incidents more often than other road users.
The share of reported fatalities by road user type as per WHO’s regional breakdown shows:
* Others include micromobility (e-bikes, e-scooters, etc.)
Source: WHO
The number of deaths among users of powered two- and three-wheeled vehicles has registered a staggering 175% increase, with the highest figures being in the South-East Asia Region with a 273% increase, and the Americas, with a 217% increase.
How can countries succeed in reducing the number of road traffic deaths?
Numerous countries have registered progress in tackling road traffic accidents, with some achieving impressive results:
- Ten countries succeeded in cutting the total number of road traffic fatalities by half between 2010 and 2021 – Belarus, Brunei, Denmark, Japan, Lithuania, Norway, Russia, Trinidad and Tobago, UAE, and Venezuela
- 108 other nations observed a fairly insignificant 2% reduction in fatalities
The percentage of fatalities relative to the number of vehicles shows another encouraging trend.
Global road safety measures issues
A number of significant gaps in measures to address traffic issues were outlined in the WHO report on road safety:
- Just 47 nations boast policies that encourage cycling, walking, and public transport
- Around 80% of examined roads do not meet the requirements for a minimum 3-star safety grade for pedestrians or bicycles
- Just seven nations have implemented WHO best practices to address five risk factors: 1) drink driving, 2) speeding, 3) the use of seat belts, 4) child restraint systems, and 5) motorcycle helmets.
- 24 countries offer psychological assistance for those people injured in accidents and their families.
Final thoughts
To be able to handle the challenges posed by road traffic, particularly in terms of lowering the number of casualties, it is important that authorities invest in the development of safer infrastructure, enforce strict safety regulations, encourage environmentally friendly transport options, and increase public awareness of road safety.
