Lagos, Nigeria, has once again emerged as the city with the worst traffic congestion globally, according to the Numbeo Traffic Index.
The ranking places Lagos above other major cities known for their severe traffic woes, such as Los Angeles in the United States, Colombo in Sri Lanka, Delhi in India, and Dhaka in Bangladesh.
Lagos, the largest city in Nigeria and one of the fastest-growing urban areas in the world struggles with several critical factors that exacerbate its traffic problems.
The city’s road network, originally designed to accommodate a much smaller population, now strains under the weight of over 16 million inhabitants and an increasing number of vehicles.
High population density is a significant contributor to the congestion, with Lagos exceeding 6,871 people per square kilometre. Rapid urban sprawl has led to poorly designed roadways that are insufficient for the growing number of residents and vehicles.
Furthermore, infrastructure development has not kept pace with the rapid population growth, resulting in persistent traffic jams.
Despite efforts to implement Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) systems, public transportation in Lagos remains inadequate to meet the needs of its growing population.
Ineffective traffic control measures and poor enforcement of traffic laws further contribute to the city’s congestion problems, which are worsened during periods of heavy rainfall.
The traffic situation in Lagos has significant economic and social repercussions. Daily commuting delays substantially impact productivity, as residents spend extended periods stuck in traffic.
The high levels of air pollution caused by traffic congestion exacerbate health problems among the city’s inhabitants. Additionally, Lagos incurs substantial economic costs due to fuel wastage and missed opportunities for economic growth.
According to the Numbeo Traffic Index, the top ten cities with the worst traffic in the world are: Lagos, Nigeria with a Traffic Index of 354.5 and a Time Index of 68.8 minutes; Los Angeles, USA (Traffic Index 354.5, Time Index 61.4 minutes);
Colombo, Sri Lanka (Traffic Index 292.2, Time Index 59.8 minutes); Delhi, India (Traffic Index 286.7, Time Index 59.4 minutes); Dhaka, Bangladesh (Traffic Index 286.4, Time Index 57.8 minutes);
Kolkata, India (Traffic Index 268.5, Time Index 57.1 minutes); Mexico City, Mexico (Traffic Index 261.3, Time Index 54.9 minutes); Mumbai, India (Traffic Index 257.9, Time Index 53.7 minutes); Jakarta, Indonesia (Traffic Index 254.9, Time Index 53.1 minutes); and Bangalore, India (Traffic Index 252.9, Time Index 52.9 minutes).
