The chronic shortage of truck drivers continues to threaten the efficiency of transport and logistics operators. IRU outlined why a major part of the solution lies in professionalisation at ALACAT 2025 in Madrid.
There are 3.6 million unfilled truck driver positions across 36 countries, representing 70% of global GDP, with up to 70% of trucking companies facing severe or very severe difficulties in recruiting drivers.
Underlying structural demographic trends are increasingly alarming, notably a widening gap between younger and older drivers. Young drivers under 25 make up just 6.5% of the total driver workforce, while those over 55 account for 31.6%.
Over the next five years, 3.4 million truck drivers are expected to retire, adding to the 3.6 million currently unfilled truck driver positions. (....)