Alarm bells in Istanbul traffic: 1.2 million new vehicles in 6 years

Traffic congestion in Istanbul is no longer just a problem experienced during morning and evening hours. The density on main arteries, even during nighttime, weekends, and holiday periods, has become a permanent part of urban life. Data from the Turkish Statistical Institute (TÜİK) revealed that the rapid increase in the number of vehicles in the city over the last six years has made this situation even more severe.

NUMBER OF VEHICLES IN TURKEY INCREASED BY 40 PERCENT IN 6 YEARS

According to TÜİK data, the total number of automobiles in Turkey increased by more than 5 million between April 2020 and April 2026. The automobile fleet, which was 12 million 661 thousand six years ago, grew by approximately 40 percent to reach 17 million 697 thousand.

Experts state that the reasons behind this increase include the widespread preference for individual transportation after the pandemic, the perception of automobiles as an investment tool in a high-inflation environment, and the fact that the vehicle ownership rate in Turkey is still below the European average.

ONE IN EVERY FOUR AUTOMOBILES IS IN ISTANBUL

A significant portion of automobiles in Turkey is concentrated in metropolitan areas. Istanbul, Ankara, and Izmir are home to 42 percent of the country's total automobile fleet.

The number of automobiles in Istanbul, which was 2 million 904 thousand in 2020, reached 4 million 125 thousand as of 2026. Thus, one in every four automobiles in Turkey now has an Istanbul license plate.

While the number of vehicles in Ankara increased by 46 percent in the same period to reach 2 million 212 thousand, the number of automobiles in Izmir exceeded the 1 million threshold for the first time.

ANATOLIAN PROVINCES STAND OUT IN GROWTH RATE

The increase in vehicle ownership was not limited to metropolitan cities. In the last six years, the fastest growth in the number of automobiles was recorded in Batman with 70 percent. Batman was followed by Muş and Trabzon.

In cities with high populations and economic activity such as Antalya, Konya, Bursa, Gaziantep, and Samsun, the growth rates in the number of vehicles also reached remarkable levels.

NUMBER OF MOTORCYCLES IN ISTANBUL APPROACHES 1 MILLION

Motorcycles have become the choice for those who want to avoid traffic and are looking for more economical transportation options. The number of motorcycles in Istanbul, which was at the 340 thousand level in 2020, exceeded 931 thousand as of 2026.

With the impact of growth in the e-commerce and courier sectors, the motorcycle fleet in the city has expanded by 174 percent over the last six years. Today, one in every five motor vehicles registered in traffic in Istanbul consists of motorcycles.

INFRASTRUCTURE REMAINS INSUFFICIENT

Despite the rapid rise in the number of vehicles, road capacity, parking areas, rail system investments, and alternative transportation solutions have not grown at the same pace. According to experts, the root of the traffic problem lies not only in the increase in the number of vehicles but also in urban planning and infrastructure deficiencies.

Although the number of automobiles per thousand people in Turkey is behind Europe, the density experienced especially in metropolitan areas shows that the current transportation system has reached its limits. Experts agree that in addition to new road investments, public transport should be strengthened, parking management should be reorganized, and micro-mobility solutions should be popularized.

News Source: 12punto