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Driver Shortage Now Structural Threat to Global Freight Industry

The worldwide truck driver shortage has crossed into structural territory, posing sustained risks to freight transport operations, according to the International Road Transport Union's latest driver shortage analysis.

Nearly 3 million vacancies exist globally, with an aging workforce expected to intensify the crisis over the next five years. The labor crunch is no longer tied to market cycles. When EU freight volumes declined in 2022-23, driver shortages persisted rather than easing.

The survey of more than 1,000 operators across 18 markets found truck driver shortages averaged 11% globally in 2025. Europe's shortage climbed from 12% to 13% year-over-year, while some markets reported gaps as high as 15%.

Regional causes vary significantly. Europe and Australia face an aging workforce problem, with retirements outpacing new driver recruitment. Other markets experience shortages driven by surging freight demand. Across Europe, 63% of operators cited the shortage as a constraint on expansion capacity.