Road deaths have declined globally since 1990 except in poorer countries, study finds
A study in Lancet Public Health indicates that while global road fatalities have declined by over 30% since 1990, progress is stagnant in low-income countries. High-income nations benefit from better safety infrastructure, whereas poorer regions struggle with rapid urbanization and lack of safety regulations.
Why it matters
It highlights the growing global inequality in public safety and the need for standardized infrastructure investment in developing nations.
Road deaths are declining in the U.S. and worldwide, but lower-income countries aren't experiencing much of the improvement, according to a study published Monday.
Global rates of road injuries and deaths each fell more than 30% between 1990 and 2023, according to the study published in Lancet Public Health , which noted the progress varied from country to country.
Pedestrian and vehicle occupant deaths rose over that time in six countries — including the United States. However, more recent data shows road deaths fell in the U.S. in 2024 and 2025.
The World Health Organization put out its own numbers Monday, finding that road traffic deaths declined by 21% between 2011 and 2025. However, traffic crashes still claimed more than 1.1 million lives last year, and they remain the leading cause of death among children and youth aged 5 to 29 years, the WHO said.
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