Industry Statistics and Trends
Freight Road Transport in Europe key trends
Rising fuel prices limit growth.
Total freight rates have increased but not enough to exceed soaring inflation across Europe. Low business confidence and weakened industrial activity have also hindered industry growth.
European driver shortage will weigh on industry performance.
According to Retail Transport Services, European road transport companies are racing towards a driver shortage crisis, with more drivers leaving the industry than receiving truck-driving qualifications.
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Freight Road Transport in Europe
Industry Revenue
Total value and annual change from 2011-2029. Includes 5-year outlook.
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Freight Road Transport in Europe market size (2019-2024)
Industry revenue has declined at a CAGR of 6.2 % over the past five years, to reach an estimated €520.4bn in 2024.
Trends and Insights
Digitisation fuels the European freight scene
- Digitisation has proven to be a significant game changer for the European road freight industry, boosting efficiency and increasing customer satisfaction.
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Freight Road Transport in Europe outlook (2024-2029)
Market size is projected to grow over the next five years.
European driver shortage leaves lorries stuck in neutral
- Across Europe, a shortage of trained drivers is beginning to impact the road freight sector. According to Retail Transport Services, European road transport companies are racing towards a driver shortage crisis of 150,000 unfulfilled jobs.
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Revenue
€520.4bn
Employees
6m
Wages
€XX.Xbn
European Leaders & Laggards
* CAGR values are for the years 2019-2024.
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Biggest companies in the Freight Road Transport in Europe
| Company | Market Share (%)
2024 | Revenue (€m)
2024 | Profit (€m)
2024 | Profit Margin (%)
2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Schenker AG | 31,015.9 | 2,662.7 | 8.6 | |
Deutsche Post AG | 106,227.7 | 9,489.4 | 8.9 | |
Dachser Group SE & Co. KG | 9,767.0 | 603.6 | 6.2 |
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Freight Road Transport in Europe
Products & Services Segmentation
Industry revenue broken down by key product and services lines.
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Top Questions Answered in this Report
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What is the market size of the Freight Road Transport industry in Europe in 2024?
The market size of the Freight Road Transport industry in Europe is €520.4bn in 2024.
How many businesses are there in the Freight Road Transport in Europe industry in 2024?
There are 1m businesses in the Freight Road Transport industry in Europe, which has grown at a CAGR of 5.0 % between 2019 and 2024.
Has the Freight Road Transport industry in Europe grown or declined over the past 5 years?
The market size of the Freight Road Transport industry in Europe has been declining at a CAGR of 6.2 % between 2019 and 2024.
What is the forecast growth of the Freight Road Transport industry in Europe over the next 5 years?
Over the next five years, the Freight Road Transport industry in Europe is expected to grow.
What does the Freight Road Transport in Europe include?
National transport and International loaded and unloaded transport are part of the Freight Road Transport industry.
Which countries have the most businesses in the Freight Road Transport industry in Europe?
The European country with the most businesses in the Freight Road Transport industry is Russia.
How competitive is the Freight Road Transport industry in Europe?
The level of competition is high and increasing in the Freight Road Transport industry in Europe.
Related Industries
This industry is covered in 37 countries
- Freight Road Transport in Greece
- Freight Road Transport in Romania
- Freight Road Transport in Norway
- Freight Road Transport in Italy
- Freight Road Transport in Sweden
- Freight Road Transport in Poland
- Freight Road Transport in Cyprus
- Freight Road Transport in Latvia
- Freight Road Transport in Austria
- Freight Road Transport in France
- Freight Road Transport in Lithuania
- Freight Road Transport in the Netherlands
- Freight Road Transport in Estonia
- Freight Road Transport in Slovenia
- Freight Road Transport in Iceland
- Freight Road Transport in Europe
- Freight Road Transport in Spain
- Freight Road Transport in Portugal
- Freight Road Transport in Serbia
- Freight Road Transport in Belgium
- Freight Road Transport in Czechia
- Freight Road Transport in Finland
- Freight Road Transport in Croatia
- Freight Road Transport in Bulgaria
- Freight Road Transport in Luxembourg
- Freight Road Transport in Russia
- Freight Road Transport in Slovakia
- Freight Road Transport in Hungary
- Freight Road Transport in Denmark
- Freight Road Transport in Turkey
- Freight Road Transport in Malta
- Freight Road Transport in Bosnia & Herzegovina
Table of Contents
About this industry
Industry definition
Companies in this industry transport freight by road. The industry includes haulage of goods in bulk, including food products, beverages and tobacco, timber, automobiles, refrigerated goods, heavy machinery, liquids and waste materials.
Related Terms
FREIGHT VOLUMESHAULAGELESS-THAN-TRUCKLOAD (LTL)FULL TRUCKLOAD (FTL)CROSS-TRADE TRANSPORTCABOTAGEWhat's included in this industry?
National transportInternational loaded and unloaded transportCross trade transport and cabotageCompanies
Schenker AGDeutsche Post AGDachser Group SE & Co. KGIndustry Code
4923 - Freight transport by road in Europe
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Performance
Key Takeaways
Digitisation fuels the European freight scene
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Revenue Highlights
Trends
- Revenue
- Current Year Revenue Growth
- Revenue Volatility
Employment Highlights
Trends
- Employees
- Employees per Business
- Revenue per Employee
Business Highlights
Trends
- Businesses
- Employees per Business
- Revenue per Business
Profit Highlights
Trends
- Total Profit
- Profit Margin
- Profit per Business
Current Performance
Charts
- Revenue in the Freight Road Transport in Europe industry (2011 -2029)
- Employees in the Freight Road Transport in Europe industry (2011 -2029)
- Business in the Freight Road Transport in Europe industry (2011 -2029)
- Profit in the Freight Road Transport in Europe industry (2011 -2029)
Analysis
What's driving current industry performance in the Freight Road Transport in Europe industry?
Outlook
Analysis
What's driving the Freight Road Transport in Europe industry outlook?
Volatility
Analysis
What influences volatility in the Freight Road Transport in Europe industry?
Charts
- Industry Volatility vs. Revenue Growth Matrix
Life Cycle
Analysis
What determines the industry life cycle stage in the Freight Road Transport in Europe industry?
Charts
- Industry Life Cycle Matrix
Products and Markets
Highlights
Trends
- Largest Market
- Product Innovation
Key Takeaways
International loaded and unloaded freight transport rebounds from 2020 lows. After dropping considerably over 2020 amid stringent pandemic restrictions, international transport picked up, taking market share away from national transport over 2022 and 2023.
Products and Services
Charts
- Products and Services Segmentation
Analysis
How are the Freight Road Transport in Europe industry's products and services performing?
Analysis
What are innovations in the Freight Road Transport in Europe industry's products and services?
Major Markets
Charts
- Major Market Segmentation
Analysis
What influences demand in the Freight Road Transport in Europe industry?
International Trade
Highlights
- Largest Importer
- Smallest Importer
- Total Imports into Europe
- Largest Exporter
- Smallest Exporter
- Total Exports into Europe
Heat maps
- Industry Concentration of Imports by Country
- Industry Concentration of Exports by Country
Data Tables
Value and annual change (%) included
- Number of Imports and Exports by European Country (2024)
Geographic Breakdown
Business Locations
Heat maps
- Share of Total Industry Revenue by Region (2024)
- Share of Total Industry Enterprises by Region (2024)
- Share of Total Industry Employment by Region (2024)
- Share of Total Industry Wages by Region (2024)
Industry Geographic Breakdown
Data Tables
Values and annual change provided for 37 European countries:
- Revenue (2024)
- IVA (2024)
- Enterprises (2024)
- Employment (2024)
- Exports (2024)
- Imports (2024)
Competitive Forces
Highlights
Trends
- Concentration
- Competition
- Barriers to Entry
- Substitutes
- Buyer Power
- Supplier Power
Key Takeaways
Economies of scope and large contracts impact concentration. Larger companies have the resources and capabilities to offer more services and can better negotiate and win lucrative contracts. Yet, the industry still comprises thousands of small and medium-size businesses operating regionally.
Supply Chain
Charts
Buyer and supply industries
Companies
Market Share
Charts
- Industry Market Share by Company (2019-2024)
Companies
Data Tables
Top 10 companies by market share:
- Market share (2024)
- Revenue (2024)
- Profit (2024)
- Profit Margin (2024)
Data Tables
- Countries of operation for Schenker AG
- Countries of operation for Deutsche Post AG
- Countries of operation for Dachser Group SE & Co. KG
- Countries of operation for DSV AS
- Countries of operation for Kuehne + Nagel International AG
- Countries of operation for AP Moller - Maersk A/S
- Countries of operation for XPO Logistics, Inc.
- Countries of operation for Wincanton plc
- Countries of operation for Eddie Stobart Ltd
- Countries of operation for Mainfreight Ltd
External Environment
Highlights
Trends
- Regulation & Policy
- Assistance
Key Takeaways
Lorry drivers must comply with EU Regulation 561/2006. This regulation lays down rules on driving times, breaks and rest periods for drivers of lorries, coaches and buses to improve working conditions and road safety. Increasingly stringent emission regulations will impact diesel vehicles.
External Drivers
Analysis
What demographic and macroeconomic factors impact the Freight Road Transport in Europe industry?
Financial Benchmarks
Highlights
Trends
- Profit Margin
- Average Wage
- Largest Cost
Key Takeaways
Volatile fuel prices cause purchase costs to soar. Over 2022, the world price of crude oil jumped by almost 40%, pushing up fuel prices and purchase costs. Some companies charge their clients input costs and an additional management fee to protect profitability.
Cost Structure
Charts
- Share of Economy vs. Investment Matrix
-
Industry Cost Structure Benchmarks:
- Marketing
- Depreciation
- Profit
- Purchases
- Wages
- Rent
- Utilities
- Other
Analysis
What trends impact cost in the Freight Road Transport in Europe industry?
Key Ratios
Data tables
- IVA/Revenue (2014-2029)
- Imports/Demand (2014-2029)
- Exports/Revenue (2014-2029)
- Revenue per Employee (2014-2029)
- Wages/Revenue (2014-2029)
- Employees per Establishment (2014-2029)
- Average Wage (2014-2029)
Country Benchmarks
European Leaders & Laggards
Data Tables
Top and boottom five countries listed for each:
- Revenue Growth (2024)
- Business Growth (2024)
- Job Growth (2024)
European Country Performance
Data Tables
Rankings available for 37 countries. Statistics ranked include:
- IVA/Revenue (2024)
- Imports/Demand (2024)
- Exports/Revenue (2024)
- Revenue per Employee (2024)
- Wages/Revenue (2024)
- Employees per Establishment (2024)
- Average Wage (2024)
Structural Comparison
Data Tables
Trends in 37 countries benchmarked against trends in Europe
- Concentration
- Competition
- Barriers to Entry
- Buyer Power
- Supplier Power
- Volatility
- Capital Intensity
- Innovation
- Life Cycle
Key Statistics
Industry Data
Data Tables
Including values and annual change:
- Revenue (2014-2029)
- IVA (2014-2029)
- Establishments (2014-2029)
- Enterprises (2014-2029)
- Employment (2014-2029)
- Exports (2014-2029)
- Imports (2014-2029)
- Wages (2014-2029)
Methodology
Where does IBISWorld source its data?
IBISWorld is a world-leading provider of business information, with reports on 5,000+ industries in Australia, New Zealand, North America, Europe and China. Our expert industry analysts start with official, verified and publicly available sources of data to build an accurate picture of each industry.
Each industry report incorporates data and research from government databases, industry-specific sources, industry contacts, and IBISWorld's proprietary database of statistics and analysis to provide balanced, independent and accurate insights.
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