Despite efforts to improve road safety across Europe, significant disparities persist among countries. This study examines road fatalities per million inhabitants in 2023, focusing on the most dangerous countries for drivers. By comparing these numbers with the EU27 average and analyzing trends since 2013, we aim to shed light on where improvements have been made and where further action is needed.
Overview of Road Fatalities in Europe
In 2023, Bulgaria emerged as the most dangerous country for drivers in Europe, with 82 road deaths per million residents, nearly doubling the EU27 average of 46 deaths per million. Romania follows closely with 81 deaths per million, while Serbia and Latvia also report high fatality rates, making them among the deadliest countries for drivers.
On the other end, Norway had the lowest road fatality rate in Europe, with only 20 deaths per million residents, less than half the EU27 average. Other countries like Sweden and the UK also reported notably low death rates.
Key Insights and Comparisons
Bulgaria and Romania: Both countries maintain extremely high road death rates, with only minor improvements since 2013. Bulgaria’s death rate slightly decreased from 83 to 82 deaths per million, while Romania saw a reduction from 93 to 81 per million. Despite this, they remain among the deadliest countries in Europe for drivers.
Luxembourg’s Remarkable Improvement: Luxembourg achieved the most impressive reduction in road deaths, with fatalities dropping dramatically from 84 per million in 2013 to 39 per million in 2023, a decrease of more than 50%. This is one of the best examples of success in road safety improvement.
Slovakia’s Concerning Increase: Slovakia experienced the highest increase in road deaths over the last decade. Its rate more than doubled, jumping from 22 deaths per million in 2013 to 50 per million in 2023. This highlights the country’s growing challenges in road safety.
Norway’s Success: Norway remains the leader in road safety, reducing road deaths from 37 per million in 2013 to just 20 in 2023, a 46% improvement. This significant reduction sets an example for other countries in Europe.
Top 10 Deadliest Countries for Drivers in Europe
Bulgaria
- Road Deaths: 82 per million residents (526 total deaths)
- Percentage Above EU27 Average: 78%
- Details: Bulgaria remains the deadliest country in Europe for drivers, with a high rate of road fatalities that has barely improved since 2013 (83 deaths per million in 2013).
Romania
- Road Deaths: 81 per million residents (1,545 total deaths)
- Percentage Above EU27 Average: 76%
- Details: Romania has consistently struggled with high road fatality rates. Although slightly improved from 93 deaths per million in 2013, it still ranks among the worst in Europe.
Serbia
- Road Deaths: 76 per million residents (503 total deaths)
- Percentage Above EU27 Average: 65%
- Details: Serbia shows a slight improvement compared to 2013, where it had 91 deaths per million, but it still has one of the highest road fatality rates in Europe.
Latvia
- Road Deaths: 75 per million residents (142 total deaths)
- Percentage Above EU27 Average: 63%
- Details: Latvia’s road safety has seen little improvement, with its current rate of 75 deaths per million residents just slightly lower than the 88 deaths per million reported in 2013.
Croatia
- Road Deaths: 60 per million residents (274 total deaths)
- Percentage Above EU27 Average: 30%
- Details: Croatia has reduced its road fatality rate from 86 deaths per million in 2013, reflecting progress but still placing it among the more dangerous countries to drive in.
Portugal
- Road Deaths: 60 per million residents (600 total deaths)
- Percentage Above EU27 Average: 30%
- Details: Portugal has managed to slightly improve its road safety compared to the 64 deaths per million reported in 2013.
Greece
- Road Deaths: 60 per million residents (621 total deaths)
- Percentage Above EU27 Average: 30%
- Details: Greece’s road fatality rate has improved from 80 deaths per million in 2013, though it remains one of the riskier countries for drivers.
Lithuania
- Road Deaths: 56 per million residents (160 total deaths)
- Percentage Above EU27 Average: 22%
- Details: Lithuania continues to face challenges in road safety, though its rate has decreased from 65 deaths per million in 2013.
Poland
- Road Deaths: 52 per million residents (1,893 total deaths)
- Percentage Above EU27 Average: 13%
- Details: Poland has seen a significant reduction in road deaths, down from 88 per million in 2013 to 52 in 2023, reflecting a 41% improvement in road safety.
Italy
- Road Deaths: 52 per million residents (3,094 total deaths)
- Percentage Above EU27 Average: 13%
- Details: Italy has managed to reduce its road fatality rate from 57 per million in 2013, but it still ranks in the top 10.
Countries with the Lowest Road Fatalities
At the other end of the spectrum, Norway stands out with only 20 deaths per million residents, marking the lowest road fatality rate in Europe. This represents a significant improvement from the 37 deaths per million reported in 2013.
Other countries such as Sweden (22 deaths per million), the United Kingdom (25 deaths per million), and Denmark (26 deaths per million) also performed well in terms of road safety, reflecting the strong emphasis these nations place on traffic enforcement, road infrastructure, and vehicle safety standards.
Road deaths per million inhabitants in 2023
| Road deaths | Inhabitants | Deaths per mil | |
| NO | 110 | 5.488.984 | 20 |
| SE | 229 | 10.521.556 | 22 |
| UK(1) | 1.716 | 68.400.000 | 25 |
| DK(1) | 155 | 5.932.654 | 26 |
| CH | 236 | 8.815.385 | 27 |
| MT | 16 | 542.051 | 30 |
| FI(1) | 182 | 5.563.970 | 33 |
| DE(1) | 2.830 | 84.358.845 | 34 |
| IE(1) | 185 | 5.271.395 | 35 |
| CY | 34 | 920.701 | 37 |
| ES(1) | 1.779 | 48.085.361 | 37 |
| NL | 684 | 17.811.291 | 38 |
| SI | 82 | 2.116.972 | 39 |
| LU | 26 | 660.809 | 39 |
| BE(1) | 483 | 11.742.796 | 41 |
| EE | 59 | 1.365.884 | 43 |
| AT | 402 | 9.104.772 | 44 |
| CZ | 502 | 10.827.529 | 46 |
| FR(2) | 3.167 | 65.925.961 | 48 |
| SK | 267 | 5.428.792 | 50 |
| HU(1) | 481 | 9.599.744 | 50 |
| PL | 1.893 | 36.753.736 | 52 |
| IT(1) | 3.094 | 58.997.201 | 52 |
| LT(1) | 160 | 2.857.279 | 56 |
| EL | 621 | 10.413.982 | 60 |
| PT(3) | 600 | 9.974.165 | 60 |
| HR | 274 | 3.850.894 | 60 |
| LV(1) | 142 | 1.883.008 | 75 |
| RS | 503 | 6.641.197 | 76 |
| RO(4) | 1.545 | 19.054.548 | 81 |
| BG | 526 | 6.447.710 | 82 |
| EU27 | 20.240 | 448.724.279 | 46 |
Road deaths per million inhabitants in 2013
| Road deaths | Inhabitants | Deaths per mil | |
| NO | 187 | 5.051.275 | 37 |
| SE | 260 | 9.555.893 | 27 |
| UK(1) | 1.770 | 64.105.654 | 28 |
| DK(1) | 191 | 5.602.628 | 34 |
| CH | 269 | 8.039.060 | 33 |
| MT | 18 | 422.509 | 43 |
| FI(1) | 258 | 5.426.674 | 48 |
| DE(1) | 3.340 | 80.523.746 | 41 |
| IE(1) | 188 | 4.609.779 | 41 |
| IL | 309 | 8.134.464 | 38 |
| CY | 44 | 865.878 | 51 |
| ES(1) | 1.680 | 46.727.890 | 36 |
| NL | 570 | 16.779.575 | 34 |
| SI | 125 | 2.058.821 | 61 |
| LU | 45 | 537.039 | 84 |
| BE(1) | 764 | 11.137.974 | 69 |
| EE | 81 | 1.320.174 | 61 |
| AT | 455 | 8.451.860 | 54 |
| CZ | 654 | 10.516.125 | 62 |
| FR(2) | 3.268 | 63.697.865 | 51 |
| SK | 223 | 5.410.836 | 22 |
| HU(1) | 591 | 9.908.798 | 60 |
| PL | 3.357 | 38.062.535 | 88 |
| IT(1) | 3.401 | 59.685.227 | 57 |
| LT(1) | 258 | 2.971.905 | 65 |
| EL | 879 | 11.003.615 | 80 |
| PT(3) | 637 | 9.937.008 | 64 |
| HR | 368 | 4.262.140 | 86 |
| LV(1) | 179 | 2.023.825 | 88 |
| RS | 650 | 7.181.505 | 91 |
| RO(4) | 1.861 | 20.020.074 | 93 |
| BG | 601 | 7.284.552 | 83 |
| EU27 | 24.296 | 439.355.226 | 55 |
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Data Source: European Transport Safety Council, 18th Annual Road Safety Performance Index (PIN) Report
