How many people die in road accidents globally?

Approximately 1.19 million people die in road traffic crashes each year — about 3,260 per day.

Which countries have the safest roads?

The UK (2.9 per 100,000), Japan (3.2), and Nordic countries have the lowest road fatality rates.

Over 90% of road deaths occur in low and middle-income countries. Road traffic injuries are the leading cause of death for people aged 5-29.

Global Average Road Fatalities

Last updated: February 5, 2026

15.0

per 100,000

The global average road fatality rate is approximately 15.0 deaths per 100,000 people, totaling about 1.19 million deaths annually. Africa has the highest regional rate (26.6) while Europe has the lowest (7.4). Over 90% of road deaths occur in low and middle-income countries.

Historical Trend

Source: WHO

Global Average Road Fatalities by Country

Country	Value (per 100,000) ↓	Source
Nigeria	35.9	WHO
South Africa	22.2	WHO
India	22.1	MoRTH
Saudi Arabia	17.4	WHO
Brazil	15.5	WHO
Pakistan	14.2	WHO
China	13.5	WHO
United States	12.4	NHTSA
Russia	12.2	WHO
United Arab Emirates	9.8	MOI
South Korea	8.6	KOSIS
Canada	5.2	TC
France	5	ONISR
Australia	4.6	BITRE
Netherlands	3.8	CBS
Germany	3.7	Destatis
Japan	3.2	NPA
United Kingdom	2.9	DfT

Why This Average Exists

Road traffic injuries are the leading cause of death for people aged 5-29. Tracking fatality rates helps evaluate road safety policies and infrastructure investments.

Factors That Affect Global Average Road Fatalities

Speed limits and enforcement
Seatbelt and helmet laws
Vehicle safety standards
Road infrastructure quality
Alcohol regulations
Emergency response capacity

Frequently Asked Questions

Methodology & Data Sources

The data presented on this page is compiled from publicly available datasets published by international organizations including the World Bank, World Health Organization (WHO), International Labour Organization (ILO), United Nations, NASA, and national statistical agencies.

Global averages are calculated using population-weighted or arithmetic means depending on the metric. Country-level data reflects the most recent available figures, typically from 2024–2024. Where gaps exist, the latest available data point is used.

All figures are subject to revision as source organizations update their datasets. For the most authoritative data, we encourage consulting the original sources linked in the table above.