Stuck in traffic: Kazakhstan lands at #44 in global congestion and emissions report

Kazakhstan placed 44th out of 89 countries in Numbeo’s global traffic index, scoring 136.3 points — a measure where higher numbers indicate heavier congestion and lower transport efficiency, according to Finprom.

The study evaluated average commute time, driver satisfaction, carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions and the overall efficiency of national transportation systems in the first six months of 2025.

How Kazakhstan compares

The average one-way commute in Kazakhstan was 35.8 minutes. The country’s transport inefficiency index was 141.3, reflecting residents’ heavy reliance on private vehicles and the limited appeal of public transportation. Kazakhstan’s CO₂ emissions linked to daily commuting averaged 3,942.5 grams per trip.

Regional and global rankings

Among former Soviet republics, Russia ranked 19th for worst congestion, followed by Azerbaijan (27th) and Ukraine (37th). Belarus (63rd) and Armenia (71st) reported lighter traffic.

Globally, the countries with the most severe traffic congestion were Nigeria, Costa Rica, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Kenya. Estonia, Austria and Finland were cited as having the smoothest traffic conditions.

Traffic in Astana and Almaty

The ranking also assessed 335 major cities, including Kazakhstan’s capital, Astana, and its largest city, Almaty.

Notably, Astana ranked 197th with a score of 128.3. The average commute time there was 34.3 minutes, with CO₂ emissions averaging 3,958.7 grams. Almaty ranked 117th with a higher index of 154.6, an average commute of 39.4 minutes and emissions reaching 4,093.4 grams.