The Global Truck Driver Shortage Report for 2024 has been released by the International Road Transport Union (IRU), demonstrating the driver crisis facing transport operators locally and overseas.
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“The report from 2024 reaffirms that the shortage of truck drivers is a long-term structural issue that persists in all regions,” IRU secretary general Umberto de Pretto says.
“Of 5,100 trucking firms surveyed in 2024, up to 70 per cent, in some countries, face severe or very severe difficulties in recruiting drivers. Globally, the share of truck drivers who are over 55 is 31.6 per cent. Countries with very high percentages of older drivers include Spain at 50 per cent, Australia at 47 per cent, and Italy at 45 per cent.”
According to the report the number of unfilled truck driver jobs ranged from 7 per cent to 17 per cent of the total driver workforce, representing 3.6 million truck drivers across all countries involved in the study.
Between 44 per cent and 70 per cent of trucking operators say they are facing severe or very severe difficulties in getting drivers.
There were close to 28,000 unfilled heavy vehicle driver positions in Australia in 2024.
According to the IRU analysis, Australia can expect 21 per cent of its drivers to retire by 2029, as 47 per cent of the country’s drivers are over 55, and only 5.4 per cent of drivers in Australia are under 25.
In the coming years, retiring drivers will exacerbate the existing driver shortage if they are not replaced.
NatRoad CEO Warren Clark says this is a global problem, and the Australian Government must address the local driver shortage and improve road safety.
“We need a Road Freight Workforce Action Plan including a national Truck Driver Standard, licensing and training reform and a consistent truck driver apprenticeship across all states and territories,” he says.
In Australia road freight volumes are projected to grow by 77 per cent by 2050, placing immense pressure on top of the existing shortage and impeding retirement of so many of our essential truck drivers.
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