Kuwait City has been ranked sixth among Arab cities and 550th globally for traffic congestion, according to the INRIX 2023 Global Traffic Scorecard — a comprehensive report by the international traffic data analytics company INRIX. Among Arab cities, Dubai claimed the top spot for congestion, followed by Riyadh and Abu Dhabi.
Kuwait City's Standing in the Arab World
In the INRIX Global Traffic Scorecard for 2023, Kuwait City placed sixth among Arab cities for traffic congestion. The report, compiled by INRIX — one of the world's leading traffic data analysis firms — provides a detailed picture of urban mobility challenges across hundreds of cities worldwide.
Dubai ranked first among Arab cities for congestion, followed by Riyadh and Abu Dhabi. Kuwait City's 550th-place global ranking reflects a comparatively moderate congestion level on the world stage, though conditions on local roads remain a daily concern for residents.
New York City Tops the Global Congestion List
On a global scale, New York City held its position as the most congested city in the world for the second consecutive year. The traffic delays cost New York an estimated $9.1 billion in wasted time in 2023. Mexico City ranked second, followed by London, Paris, and Chicago. Other major American cities, including Los Angeles and Boston, also featured prominently among the world's most congested urban centres.
The Economic Toll of Traffic Congestion
Traffic congestion is defined in the INRIX report as a condition in which the volume of vehicles on a road network exceeds available capacity, causing significant losses of time and fuel for drivers, freight carriers, and public transport operators alike.
The economic impact on the United States was substantial: traffic congestion cost the country $70.4 billion in 2023, a 15% rise compared to 2022. On average, American drivers lost 42 hours to traffic delays over the course of the year.
London Remains Europe's Most Congested City
In Europe, London maintained its position as the most congested city for the third consecutive year. Drivers in London spent an average of 99 hours stuck in traffic jams in 2023 — nearly two and a half full work weeks lost to gridlock.
The INRIX 2023 Global Traffic Scorecard underscores that traffic congestion remains a universal challenge, carrying significant economic and social costs for cities and commuters worldwide.
