France
Paris
UMR Index Rank
#2
(+6)
Score: 67%
Sustainable Mobility
#9
(+4)
Score: 66.7%
Public Transit
#5
(+2)
Score: 69.0%
Technology Adoption
#10
Score: 55.1%
| Population | 11.20 million |
| Surface area (km2) | 2,300 |
| Population-density (people/km2) | 4,866 |
| GDP per capita ($) | 66,893 |
UMR Index Rank
#2
(+6)
Score: 67%
Sustainable Mobility
#9
(+4)
Score: 66.7%
Public Transit
#5
(+2)
Score: 69.0%
Technology Adoption
#10
Score: 55.1%
What Paris Does Well In Urban Mobility
Paris climbs the rankings in this year’s Urban Mobility Readiness Index, claiming the number two spot.
The city has become one of the friendliest for active mobility thanks to significant investment in walking and cycling infrastructure. The French capital allocated more than €250 million ($270 million) from 2021 to 2026 to build about 180 kilometers (112 miles) of new secure cycling lanes. Paris also benefitted from investments made for the 2024 Summer Olympic and Paralympic Games, which included connecting sport venues across the city with bike routes.
Paris has an excellent metro system, with high station density and several automated lines. Ongoing improvements spurred by the Grand Paris Express, Europe’s largest infrastructure project with 200 kilometers (124 miles) of new track and 68 stations, are expected to greatly increase connectivity between Paris and the wider Île-de- France region. For instance, the city’s transport authority, Île-de-France Mobilités, invested €500 million ($550 million), including in flagship initiatives such as extending the metro’s Line 14 to the Stade de France stadium in the northern suburb of Saint-Denis. The line is fully accessible to passengers with disabilities, and the authority plans to expand accessibility to four more metro lines. The new metro lines combined with the introduction of new public transit operators aim to provide more accessible and efficient services to millions of residents.
Innovation in smart mobility and automated vehicle technology flourishes thanks to a strong startup network, top universities, and substantial government investment. For example, in 2022 the Paris School of Economics along with three public and private institutions co-created a university research arm dedicated to urban mobility.
Urban Mobility Readiness Index, Sustainable Mobility, Public Transit, and Technology Adoption scores
Source: Oliver Wyman Forum and University of California, Berkeley
Challenges And Opportunities For Paris’s Transportation System
Despite considerable improvements, Paris still lags behind several European peers on electric vehicles (EVs), with a smaller market share and less charging infrastructure. Still, the city’s 2030 plan pledges subsidies to install charging points in condominiums and underground car parks. Nationally, France has made significant improvements to its charging infrastructure. It went from not meeting the European Union’s recommended charging infrastructure targets in 2022 to boasting the third-highest density of public charging stations of any EU country in 2024. These investments are translating into higher EV sales, but continued incentives will be needed for Paris to catch up to current EV front-runners like Oslo and Stockholm.
City residents complain about noise and light pollution typically associated with the relatively high amount of congestion. A downward trend in car usage is helping to alleviate both, as are investments in tree planting. The city also committed to other short-term improvements on noise pollution, with plans to lower vehicle speeds, soundproof infrastructure, support active and electric mobility, and experiment with sound radars.
Dimensions of the Urban Mobility Readiness Index score
Source: Oliver Wyman Forum and University of California, Berkeley
How Paris Can Improve Its Urban Mobility Performance
Despite recent efforts and commitments, Paris could do more to improve its noise and light pollution relative to its peers. The city plans to convert its cleaning and waste-collection vehicle fleet to carbon-free or low-emission vehicles by 2030. It is increasing the size and number of car-free zones and reducing speed limits, lowering the limit on the city’s ring road from 70 to 50 kilometers per hour. Paris also began implementing its zone à trafic limitée (ZTL), or limited traffic zone, in 2024. The ZTL prohibits any through traffic in covered areas to encourage use of alternative modes of transportation such as public transit or active mobility. To go further, Paris can complete the Grand Paris infrastructure project on time and accelerate investments in EV infrastructure.
Paris has many top-ranked universities that provide a high-quality workforce. However, the city does less well in specific future-oriented mobility research, especially involving the use of artificial intelligence and machine learning, compared with other leading cities like San Francisco. Further investment in these areas will help enhance mobility in Paris.
Urban Mobility Readiness Index relative ranking evolution (2020-2024)
Source: Oliver Wyman Forum and University of California, Berkeley