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Cyprus recorded fewer road deaths than the European Union average in 2024, according to newly released figures from Eurostat, offering a cautiously positive picture of road safety on the island.
Across the EU, 19,934 people lost their lives in traffic incidents last year, down from 20,384 in 2023. This represents a second consecutive annual drop, continuing a gradual downward pattern in fatalities over time.
Cyprus compared with the EU
Cyprus reported 42 deaths per million residents in 2024. The EU average stood slightly higher at 44 per million. While the difference is modest, it places Cyprus on the safer side of the European scale.
At the top end of road safety performance, Sweden recorded the lowest rate at 20 deaths per million inhabitants. Malta and Denmark also ranked among the safest, with 21 and 24 respectively.
In contrast, the highest fatality rates were seen in Romania with 78 deaths per million, followed by Bulgaria with 74 and Greece with 64.
Long-term trend
Over the past decade, road fatalities across the EU have fallen by 17.4 percent. The overall direction has been downward, though not without interruptions. Slight increases were recorded in 2015, and again in 2021 and 2022, partly linked to a rebound in travel after pandemic-related restrictions reduced traffic volumes in 2020.
Where most accidents occur
Looking at accident counts rather than fatality rates, the busiest regions for road incidents are concentrated in large parts of Germany, Italy and Spain. Nordrhein-Westfalen recorded more than 62,000 accidents in 2024, the highest figure among EU regions. Bavaria followed with just under 50,000, while Italy’s Nord-Ovest region reported close to 49,000.
