The data comes from INRIX, a leading provider of real-time traffic information and connected driving services, which has published its Traffic Scorecard Report for 2014.

Of the 13 European countries analysed in the report, more than half (53%) experienced a rise in levels of congestion in 2014 compared to 2013, reflective of steady economic growth. Nations struggling with high unemployment and low or negative economic growth typically recorded lower levels of traffic congestion compared to 2013.

The data shows that Belgium remains Europe’s most congested country, with drivers there spending 51 hours stuck in gridlock in 2014. However, this was down eight hours on 2013. The Netherlands stayed in second place with drivers wasting 41 hours on average annually in 2014 – down from 45 hours in 2013. The rest of the top five was made up by Germany (still in third place with 39 hours annually; up four hours), Luxembourg (up one place to fourth with 34 hours on average, up three hours) and the UL (up one place from sixth with hours wasted staying static at 30).

The INRIX Traffic Scorecard also analysed traffic in major metropolitan areas across Europe. Of the 94 European cities analysed in the report, nearly half (48%) experienced an increase in traffic compared to 2013.

Whilst London topped the list of the 25 most congested European cities, Barcelona saw the biggest year-on-year increase in congestion, rising by 66%. Drivers in Barcelona experienced an additional 10 hours in traffic compared to 2013, rising from 15 hours wasted in traffic in 2013 to 25 in 2014.

This increase can be attributed to a growing economy with GDP growth figures in Spain at 1.4% in 20146 – Spain’s first full year growth since 2008. Unemployment in Barcelona dropped by 3% in 2014 to 20%, driving up consumer spending and an increased demand for road travel, with more commuters travelling to work by car.