Dubai Motorists Spent 35 Hours in Traffic Congestion in 2025. Dubai residents lost up to 35 hours to traffic congestion in 2025, marking a two-hour increase compared to the previous year. This statistic, revealed by the Inrix 2024 Global Traffic Scorecard, highlights the challenges faced by the emirate as its population and vehicle numbers continue to rise.
Traffic Jams on the Rise
The number of hours lost to traffic in Dubai surged by 45% compared to 2022, a significant jump attributed to the city rapid population growth and economic expansion. The emirate’s population grew by over 134,000 in 2024, reaching 3.8 million, and has seen an increase of 378,000 residents since January 2021.
This growth stems from an influx of foreign professionals, workers, and investors as Dubai’s economy flourishes in the post-pandemic era.
Vehicle registration has kept pace with this growth, with Dubai’s toll gate operator Salik reporting an 8.7% year-on-year increase in registered vehicles, bringing the total to 4.3 million. Additionally, the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) recorded a 10% increase in registered vehicles over two years, far surpassing the global average of 2-4%.
Dubai Traffic Solutions: Investing in Infrastructure
To address increasing traffic demands, the Dubai government has allocated billions of dirhams to infrastructure projects. In 2024, the emirate approved a five-year internal roads plan (2025-2029) covering 634 kilometres of new roads across 12 residential, commercial, and industrial areas. With a total investment of Dh3.7 billion, this plan aims to support Dubai’s ongoing population growth and urban expansion.
Fawaz Sous, CEO of Octa Properties, emphasized Dubai’s commitment to infrastructure development, even during challenging economic periods like the 2008-09 financial crisis and the pandemic. This consistent focus on roads, bridges, and even legal infrastructure underpins Dubai’s growth strategy and reputation for transparency.
Flexible Work Policies: A Smart Solution
In addition to infrastructure upgrades, Dubai has implemented flexible working hours and remote work policies to tackle peak-hour congestion. Studies show these measures can reduce morning peak travel times by up to 30%, making commuting more efficient for residents.
Global and Regional Traffic Rankings
Despite its challenges, Dubai fared better than many global cities, ranking 154th for traffic congestion worldwide. Comparatively, Istanbul, New York, Chicago, Mexico City, and London were the top five most congested cities, with residents losing over 100 hours annually in traffic.
In the UAE overall, motorists lost between 8 and 35 hours to congestion in 2024. Abu Dhabi and Umm Al Quwain saw reductions in traffic delays, with drivers losing 19 and 14 hours, respectively—5% and 7% less than 2023. However, Al Ain and Fujairah drivers spent 9 and 8 hours, respectively, in traffic.
Driving Speeds: A Mixed Picture
Dubai average speed during peak hours decreased slightly, dropping from 33 miles per hour in 2023 to 32 in 2024. However, off-peak speeds improved to 45 miles per hour, reflecting smoother traffic conditions outside rush hours. The speed for last-mile commutes into downtown Dubai during morning peaks was 22 miles per hour, underscoring the need for continued improvements.
Global Traffic Perspective
On the global stage, traffic congestion remains a costly issue. In the US, drivers lost an average of 43 hours to traffic in 2024, equivalent to a full work week, with a total economic impact of $74 billion. Similarly, UK drivers lost 61 hours, costing £7.8 billion. German drivers faced 43 hours of delays, amounting to €470 per driver.
Conclusion
Dubai efforts to mitigate traffic congestion through robust infrastructure development and innovative policies reflect its long-term vision for sustainable urban mobility. While challenges remain, the emirate’s commitment to tackling congestion ensures it stays ahead of the curve as a global hub for business, tourism, and lifestyle.