The global professional driver shortage has become a structural threat to freight transport
The global professional driver shortage has become a structural threat to freight transport, according to the latest International Road Transport Union (IRU) Driver Shortage Report.
Presenting the findings during a webinar launching the report, IRU Director of Certification and Standards Marianne Kervyn warned that, with nearly 3 million vacancies worldwide and an ageing workforce expected to push the crisis to new levels over the next five years, the industry’s labour shortage is no longer linked simply to market cycles.
“When freight volumes in the EU slowed in 2022–2023, many expected the shortage to ease. It didn’t,” she said. “That is a clear sign that this is not cyclical; it is a structural situation.”
Key findings from the IRU Global Driver Shortage Report 2025 include:
- 2.9 million unfilled truck driver positions across 18 markets
- Around 20% of Europe’s driver workforce and 24% of Australia’s driver workforce expected to retire within five years
- Driver shortage identified as the most pressing concern for 65% of operators in Europe
- Women account for just 4% of European truck drivers
- Freight demand is growing faster than driver supply in countries such as Uzbekistan and China
The findings highlight the urgent need for coordinated action across the transport sector, including better recruitment pathways, improved working conditions, professional recognition, training, and measures to attract younger drivers and more women into the profession.
The International Road Transpor Union (IRU) Driver Shortage Report
