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NederlandsEurope needs 502,000 truck drivers — IRU report warns of a labour crisis
A global report by the International Road Transport Union (IRU), published on 30 June 2026, finds that Europe faces the world's worst shortage of professional drivers: 502,000 unfilled vacancies in the main markets. By 2028 the figure will rise to 745,000, threatening supply chains and the continent's economy.
The International Road Transport Union has published an alarming report: Europe faces a critical shortfall of 502,000 heavy vehicle drivers across the 18 main markets. This is not a short-term cyclical problem — it is structural.
The structural problem
Three factors converge in this crisis:
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Ageing — About 20% of Europe’s driver workforce will retire in the next five years. The job does not attract young people.
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Working conditions — Long hours, time away from family and poor infrastructure (too few secure parking places, toilets and rest areas) keep newcomers away.
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Changed expectations — The younger generation does not accept the trade-offs drivers made a decade ago. They want balance, job security and recognition.
The economic impact
Trucks carry:
- 75% of Europe’s freight (by volume)
- 85% of perishable, high-value goods and medicines — vaccines, food, critical components
The shortage paralyses supply chains. It is no longer a question of capacity — it is a question of available people.
The outlook to 2028
Without decisive action, the gap widens:
- Today (2026): 502,000 vacancies
- In 2028: 745,000 vacancies
What it means for drivers
Short term: upward pressure on pay. Hauliers struggling to recruit pay more. Owner-drivers have room to negotiate.
Medium term: better working conditions, because firms need to recruit and retain. Fewer abusive workloads.
The risk: accelerated automation to replace scarce labour — autonomous vehicles become a priority investment.
The response needed
The IRU calls for:
- Incentives for the profession — training grants, tax relief, social recognition
- Infrastructure — secure parking, rest areas, toilets, connectivity
- Working conditions — more predictable schedules, pay security, social protection
- Controlled immigration — opening access to drivers from outside the EU with proven training
Without that, the shortage is not demand management — it is a collapse in capacity.
An opportunity for operators
Countries with ageing populations feel the shortage most. But operators offering better conditions, pay security and a career path can recruit from neighbouring markets and gain a competitive edge.