Freight News, Logistics, Road


Driver shortage worsens across Europe, says IRU

[ July 1, 2026   //   ]

Recruitment difficulties are worsening, according to the International Road Transport Union’s latest global driver shortage report. The issue is the top operators’ concern in most markets. Around 20% of Europe’s driver workforce are expected to retire within five years and the driver shortage is the most pressing concern for 65% of operators in Europe.  Europe has one of the highest shortage rates, at 13%, or around 502,000 positions.

In almost every market surveyed, the 2025 shortage was higher than the 2021 baseline. The findings continue to show that the shortage is no longer closely linked to short-term economic cycles. Instead, ageing workforces, barriers to entry, a lack of adequate infrastructure, and changing expectations about work are becoming the dominant factors.

Around two-thirds of European operators report turning down new contracts as they cannot find enough drivers.

Women and younger people remain heavily underrepresented. Women account for only around 4% of European truck drivers. Removing barriers to training, improving facilities and modernising the image of the profession could open access to a much wider pool of potential drivers, the report adds.

Higher wages alone are no longer enough to attract or retain drivers. Cab and trailer conditions, secure parking, time at home, predictable schedules and work-life balance are increasingly decisive.

The report covers 18 markets across Europe, Australia, Brazil, China, Mexico and Uzbekistan.

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