Without significant action, the shortage of truck drivers is projected to double by 2028. One key reason is a growing age gap in driver demographics.
IRU’s latest driver shortage report – which is based on a survey of more than 4,700 trucking companies in the Americas, Asia and Europe – found that the share of drivers under 25 continues to remain low at 12% or less.
China (17%) and Uzbekistan (25%) are the only countries with a higher share of drivers under 25.
In many regions, one of the reasons for the low share of young truck drivers is an ageing population (less than 13% of the workforce are below 25 years old in all regions, except in Mexico, Uzbekistan and China).
Nevertheless, the share of young truck drivers is below the active population benchmark in all regions, except in China and Uzbekistan, meaning that the profession is attracting fewer young people compared to other sectors.
Most regions have a high share of drivers who are 55 or older. In many cases, it is higher than the overall transport and active population benchmarks, and much higher than the share of young truck drivers, meaning that the shortage will increase in the near future as the pool of young drivers will be unable to replace those retiring.
Europe has the highest average driver age (47). A third of its driver population is above 55 years old, while only 21% of its overall active population are over that age. Moreover, the share of its young drivers is very low (only 5% of drivers are below 25).
Argentina, China and Mexico have a much lower share of drivers above 55 (16%, 14% and 13%, respectively), which is aligned with their overall active population.
There are also encouraging signs in some countries where the share of young drivers has improved, such as in the United States (8.1% in 2022 versus 6% in 2020).
The share of women truck drivers is also well below the overall transport industry employment rate for women. Less than 6% of truck drivers are women in all regions studied.
At 8%, the United States is the only country with a higher share of women drivers.
Why is this the case? Why are there so few women and young truck drivers? How can we get more of them behind the wheel?
Download the IRU Global Truck Driver Shortage Report 2023 for more in-depth analysis of the truck driver population and driver shortages, including national and regional forecasts for 2028, barriers to entry, and the impact of the shortage on operators and the industry.
The report also features actions implemented by governments and road transport associations and companies – such as ASTIC, CEVA Logistics and Scania – to improve the profession’s accessibility and attractiveness.