Istanbul has been named the world’s most congested city for 2024, according to the INRIX 2024 Global Traffic Scorecard[1][2][3]. The report found that drivers in Istanbul lost an average of 105 hours to traffic congestion in 2024, placing it at the top of the global rankings[2][3].
Global Rankings
Istanbul’s position as the most congested city in the world is followed closely by:
- Istanbul (105 hours)
- New York City (102 hours)
- Chicago (102 hours)
- Mexico City (97 hours)
- London (101 hours)
This marks a significant change from previous years, as Istanbul rose from 6th place in 2023 to claim the top spot in 2024[3]. The city saw a 15% increase in traffic delays compared to the previous year[3].
Impact on Drivers
The high levels of congestion in Istanbul have a substantial impact on drivers:
- Time Lost: Motorists in Istanbul spent an average of 105 hours stuck in traffic jams in 2024[5].
- Economic Cost: While specific figures for Istanbul were not provided, the report indicates that traffic congestion results in significant economic losses due to wasted time and reduced productivity[2].
It’s worth noting that traffic congestion is a dynamic issue, and rankings can vary depending on the methodology used. However, multiple sources confirm Istanbul’s position as the most congested city globally for 2024 based on the INRIX report[1][2][3][5][7].
Citations:
- London Named Europe’s Most Congested Capital City – Evening Standard
- INRIX 2024 Global Traffic Scorecard – US Edition
- INRIX 2024 Global Traffic Scorecard – UK Edition
- World’s Most Congested Cities of 2024 – BBC News
- Istanbul Named World’s Most Congested City for 2024 – CiTTi Magazine
- Several US Cities Among World’s Worst for Traffic Congestion – TravelPulse
- INRIX Traffic Scorecard Data Highlights 2024 – X (formerly Twitter)
- Istanbul Traffic Congestion Index – TrafficIndex.org
- London Is the Most Congested City in Europe, Apparently – TimeOut London
- 55 Hours of Traffic Jams per Motorist in the Capital in 2024 – Delano
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