Newsroom
A rise in road deaths was recorded in Cyprus in 2025, according to newly released preliminary data from the European Commission. The figures show that fatalities reached 46 per million residents, up from 42 the previous year, an increase of about 10%. Despite this recent uptick, the longer-term trend remains downward, with deaths still 13% lower than in 2019.
Looking at earlier detailed data from 2023, road fatalities in Cyprus varied significantly throughout the year. January and December were the deadliest months, each accounting for 18% of annual deaths. Elevated levels were also seen in July, September and October, each with 15%. In contrast, no fatalities were reported in February, June or August. May and November had minimal shares at 3% each, while March and April stood at 9% and 6% respectively.
Across the European Union, the overall picture shows gradual improvement. Around 19,400 people lost their lives on roads in 2025, marking a 3% decline compared with 2024, roughly 580 fewer deaths, even as traffic volumes continued to grow. However, the Commission warned that most EU countries are still falling short of the bloc’s goal to cut road deaths and serious injuries by half by 2030.
Performance varies widely between countries. Estonia and Greece recorded the sharpest improvements, with reductions of 38% and 22% respectively. Meanwhile, Belgium, Bulgaria, Denmark, Poland and Romania appear to be on track to meet the 2030 reduction target. Despite some progress, Romania, Bulgaria and Croatia continue to have the highest fatality rates. The safest roads are found in Sweden and Denmark, with 20 and 23 deaths per million inhabitants respectively.
The data also highlights broader patterns in road safety. For every person killed, about five others suffer serious injuries, amounting to roughly 100,000 serious injuries annually across the EU. Rural roads remain the most dangerous, responsible for more than half of all fatalities, while urban areas account for just over a third and motorways for a much smaller share.
In cities, vulnerable road users, including pedestrians, cyclists and riders of powered two-wheelers, make up the majority of victims, representing around 70% of deaths. Overall, car occupants account for the largest share of fatalities at 44%, followed by motorcyclists and other powered two-wheeler users at 21%, pedestrians at 18% and cyclists at 9%. Deaths involving e-scooters and similar devices remain relatively low at 1%, but are rising quickly.
Men are disproportionately affected, making up more than three-quarters of road fatalities. These findings underline the ongoing challenge facing the EU’s long-term “Vision Zero” strategy, which aims to eliminate road deaths entirely by 2050.
