In the European Union, 19,934 people lost their lives in road accidents in 2024, a decrease of 2.2% compared to the previous year.
It is the second consecutive year in which the number of victims decreases, but the differences between countries remain significant, and Romania continues to lead in the negative ranking, according to Eurostat data.
Romania, the highest death rate
The European average was 44 deaths per one million inhabitants. At the opposite end, the lowest rates were recorded in Sweden (20), Malta (21), and Denmark (24).
Romania has the highest rate in the EU – 78 deaths per one million inhabitants, followed by Bulgaria (74) and Greece (64).
In total, 10 countries exceed the threshold of 50 deaths per one million inhabitants, indicating the need for additional road safety measures, according to European specialists.
Where the most victims are recorded
Most deaths occur on rural roads, which account for over half of the total (53.3%). Urban roads represent 38.2%, while highways only account for 8.5%.
In Romania, the proportion of deaths on urban roads is one of the highest in the EU – 64.1%, while 33.4% of victims are recorded on rural roads.
Who are the victims
Men represent approximately three-quarters of the people who died in road accidents. Over the past decade, the number of victims has decreased among both men (-12.6%) and women (-18.4%).
The most affected age group is 25–49 years old (31.1% of the total), followed by people over 65 years old (30.7%). Together, these two groups account for over 60% of all victims.
Drivers and passengers, the most victims
Drivers and passengers in cars account for 43.6% of total deaths. They are followed by motorcyclists (18.5%) and pedestrians (17.8%).
In Romania, the proportion of pedestrians is much higher than the European average, reaching 32.6% of total deaths, one of the highest levels in the EU.
Evolution in recent years
Compared to 2014, all EU countries have recorded decreases in the number of deaths, except Spain, Malta, and the Netherlands.
Between 2019 and 2024, the largest reductions were in Poland (-34.8%), Lithuania, and Slovenia (both -33.3%). On the other hand, several countries reported increases, including Estonia, Ireland, and Spain.