Which countries have the least paved roads in the world?
For most drivers, a road is a strip of asphalt or concrete. But in many parts of the world, "paved" is a luxury. According to global infrastructure data, there are several nations where the vast majority of the road network consists of dirt, gravel, or sand tracks.
Driving in these countries isn't just a trip; it’s a test of endurance for both the vehicle and the driver. When less than 10% of a nation’s roads are paved, logistics change completely: rainy seasons can cut off entire regions, and a simple 100-mile journey can take days instead of hours.
What Defines a "Paved" Road?
In technical terms, paved roads are those surfaced with crushed stone (macadam) and hydrocarbon binder or bituminized agents, concrete, or cobblestones. The percentage is measured as the length of these surfaced roads relative to the total road network of the country.
Ranking: The 20 Nations with the Least Asphalt
The following list represents the frontiers of global driving. These percentages reveal where nature still dominates the landscape and where 4x4 vehicles are not a choice, but a necessity.
| Country | Paved Roads (%) | Visual Scale |
|---|---|---|
| Chad | 0.8% | |
| Congo (DRC) | 1.8% | |
| Solomon Islands | 2.4% | |
| Central African Republic | 2.7% | |
| Mongolia | 3.5% | |
| Papua New Guinea | 3.5% | |
| Burkina Faso | 4.2% | |
| Congo Republic | 5.0% | |
| Brazil | 5.5% | |
| Liberia | 6.2% | |
| Cambodia | 6.3% | |
| Bolivia | 7.0% | |
| Guyana | 7.4% | |
| Sierra Leone | 8.0% | |
| Côte d'Ivoire | 8.1% | |
| Cameroon | 8.4% | |
| Tanzania | 8.6% | |
| Benin | 9.5% |