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Since March 2020, European governments have introduced massive and unprecedented restrictions of public life, the education system and economic activity with the aim to prevent the spread of COVID-19. How successful were these policies in reducing social contacts? Statistics Vienna has looked at mobility trends in European cities and revealed interesting and surprising patterns.

For our analysis, we use the latest available mobility data that Google derived from mobile phones. In a first step we compare Vienna’s mobility pattern with six European cities that were selected either because of their close relation to Vienna and/or because of their different approaches with respect to COVID-19 lockdowns (as outlined in the table below). We grouped the policies by the following rough scheme:

• Full lockdown: closure of all so-called “non-essential retail and service businesses” and schools, event ban, curfews and (partial) stay-at-home orders
• Partial lockdown: closure of restaurants and bars, event ban and in some cases curfews
• Restrictions: may include earlier closing time for restaurants, capacity limits for businesses and events as well as home schooling for teenagers.

Please note that remote working was recommended or mandated in all European countries and cities.

+ including major constraints of internal freedom of movement, and partial closure of “non-essential workplaces” in Spain, in the UK and partly in Slovakia.
** In Switzerland, schools stayed open during the second and third wave.

At first glance, overall mobility trends during the COVID-19 pandemic are quite similar in all seven cities. In mid-March 2020 (week 11 and 12), mobility suddenly plummeted everywhere across Europe. In general, levels of mobility remained low for a couple of weeks before gradually recovering. In summer 2020, bumps (sudden decreases) appear and by autumn, the lines gradually decrease again. Before Christmas, we see a sudden rise in mobility, then again a huge drop and once again steady increase towards the baseline.

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A closer look reveals interesting details: For example, in Madrid and London mobility remained on an even lower level than in Vienna or Berlin for much longer during the first COVID-19 wave in spring 2020. Mobility in Stockholm was least affected, although Stockholm’s pattern resembles those of other cities during autumn and winter – in absence of lockdowns. The summer 2020 vacation bump appears in July in some cities and in August in others. Contrary to the urban legend that Christmas (weeks 52 and 53-2020) would lead to an increase in mobility, the figures actually declined sharply everywhere, quite similar as during the first lockdowns. A similar trend can be observed during Easter 2021 (weeks 13 and 14-2021).

Mobility trends in detail: COVID-19 and beyond

In a second step, we analysed 28 cities and urban regions included in the Statistics Vienna European mortality monitor and plotted them city by city.

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In general, there were fewer reductions in mobility in Northern European cities than in the rest of the continent: During the first wave, compulsory schools, shops and restaurants remained open in Stockholm, and the other Scandinavian capitals mostly imposed lighter restrictions than in continental Europe. In July (weeks 29 and 30-2020), Scandinavians usually enjoy longer vacations and, hence, leave the cities, which resulted in a decrease in mobility in all four Nordic capitals. During the second COVID-19 wave in autumn, only Oslo and Copenhagen were locked down (again). Midsummer Night’s celebrations cause the sharp decline in week 25-2021.

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Eastern European countries imposed extensive lockdowns during the first COVID-19 wave and were among the first to reimpose restrictions during the second wave, starting October 2020 (week 40-2020) and lasting until April/May 2021.

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Western Europe was divided when it comes to lockdowns and mobility during the first wave: On the one hand, France, Belgium and the UK followed Southern European policies and imposed tight restrictions that resulted in previously unprecedented and long-lasting reductions of mobility. On the other hand, Germany and Switzerland, and to a smaller extent Austria and the Netherlands (were shops remained open), show more moderate declines in mobility. Again, it must be stressed that different traditions regarding holiday seasons affect urban mobility patterns: Parisians and inhabitants of Brussels literally seem to abandon their cities during mid-August (week 33), which results in overall mobility reductions of about 40% compared to January.

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Italy and Spain were among the most heavily locked-down democracies in spring 2020. During the second wave, Southern European countries and cities adopted different approaches: While the Spanish cities Barcelona and Madrid stayed relatively open, Italy introduced new lockdowns. Portugal was almost completely closed after Christmas 2020 when it experienced a major surge in COVID-19 infections and deaths. We also see that Southern Europeans, similar to Parisians, leave their cities in masses during August to go on vacation. Since the Spanish celebrate Christmas primarily on Epiphany Day (6 January), Madrid and Barcelona’s “Nativity decline” appears two weeks later than in the other cities – use your mouse to highlight both cities in the chart!

Urban mobility patterns during COVID-19

Google’s mobility data since spring 2020 show similar trends in European metropolises: During the first wave of the pandemic (i.e. in spring 2020), mobility plummeted all over Europe. The effect was stronger in countries and cities with stricter lockdown policies, while countries and cities with policies focussing on recommendations or partial closures also managed to reduce mobility significantly. After a swift mobility recovery almost everywhere, vacations and holidays dominate the mobility patterns in summer 2020, both reducing mobility in European cities. In autumn and winter, new but more diverse government measures and restrictions were introduced across Europe (see also first table in this article). Compared to the first lockdowns in March 2020, these subsequent measures affected urban mobility far less and for shorter periods. It remains to be seen if and to what extent mobility in European cities continues to recover from pandemic restrictions.

Data

Google COVID-19 Community Mobility Reports

Data handling: Statistics Vienna (MA 23)

More informationen

Data monitor: Mortality in European countries and cities since 2015