The World Road Transport Organisation (IRU) has released a global driver shortage report, reporting that recruitment difficulties are worsening.
The report goes on to say that the shortage topping operators’ concerns across most surveyed markets.
IRU’s 2025 driver shortage survey found that around 2.9 million truck driver positions, equivalent to 11% of the workforce, remain unfilled across 18 markets.
Europe has one of the highest shortage rates, at 13%, representing around 502,000 unfilled truck driver positions.
“Despite significant industry efforts, the shortage of drivers has deepened as a critical structural issue for the road transport industry,” said IRU Secretary General Umberto de Pretto.
“Driver recruitment is directly affecting transport capacity, business growth and supply chain reliability.”
The report specifies that long-haul operators are particularly affected, with those with fewer than 50 employees reporting shortage rates 6 percentage points higher than those of large companies.
Small operators with fewer than ten employees, which account for 98% of EU road freight enterprises and 79% of the workforce, often have fewer resources to invest in recruitment, training and international hiring.
The report covers 18 markets across Europe, Australia, Brazil, China, Mexico and Uzbekistan, including the bus and coach sectors in Germany and Spain.
It combines operator survey data with qualitative interviews, providing both a global benchmark and detailed insight into the realities behind the figures.
“IRU is calling for coordinated action from governments and industry. The shortage cannot be solved by recruitment campaigns alone,” said Umberto de Pretto.
“The sector must improve the quality of the job and make professional driving a career that people can enter, build and remain in.”
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