Anyone who loves the vibrancy of outdoor life or the thrill of a road trip knows the heartbreak of being trapped in gridlock or worse, showing up late to an important event because of it.
Yet in many of the world’s most populous nations, what was once an occasional frustration has become the norm.
The daily commute is stretching longer and longer, and traffic has emerged as one of the most visible strains on modern urban life.
The latest figures from Numbeo’s 2025 Traffic Index highlight which also facilitates quality of life, show just how severe the issue has become.
The index, which blends commute times, wasted hours in congestion, inefficiency, and transport-related carbon emissions, paints a stark picture of countries where the cost of getting from point A to point B is at its highest. More than just an inconvenience, gridlock drains productivity, diminishes quality of life, and adds to already dangerous levels of pollution.
This report explores the top 10 countries with the highest Traffic Index in 2025, offering insight into the scale of the challenge and the patterns that unite the world’s most gridlocked nations.
- Traffic Index: 212.2
Iran’s traffic crisis is most acute in Tehran, where a Traffic Index of 212.2 highlights the scale of congestion in one of the Middle East’s busiest capitals. Average commutes stretch to 46.8 minutes, with key arteries such as Valiasr Street, Enghelab Square and Hemmat Expressway frequently gridlocked.
The problem is not simply inconvenience. The CO₂ Emission Index of 7,003.1 underscores the environmental toll, as traffic is a major contributor to Tehran’s chronic smog. Air quality worsens dramatically during winter inversions, when pollutants are trapped close to the ground, heightening health risks for millions of residents.
Gov. Sanwo should see where his inactions have put us. During Fashola tenure when there was the rule of law, it was much better. Now there’s a traffic economy. With beggars, traders, robbers, tauts, advertisers. Kiss goodbye to safe streets especially in Lagos.