The International Road Transport Union (IRU) has released the 2024 Global Truck Driver Shortage Report, highlighting critical labour issues in the industry.
The report shows a widening driver age gap, with a severe lack of young drivers entering the profession — a demographic that is essential to cover the predicted 3.4 million drivers who will retire in the survey’s 26 studied countries by 2029.
IRU Secretary General, Umberto de Pretto, discussed some of these global shortage trends further.
“The report from 2024 reaffirms that the shortage of truck drivers is a long-term structural issue that persists in all regions,” he said.
“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.”
Australia has long felt this trucking labour crisis, having almost 28,000 unfilled heavy vehicle driver positions according to the IRU.
Additionally, the country reports 47 per cent of truck drivers to be over the age of 55, while only reporting 5.4 per cent of drivers to be under 25 — a disparity which is causing serious concern in the industry.
Much of this concern has been voiced by the National Road Transport Association (NatRoad) and its CEO, Warren Clarke, who called on the Federal Government to take action.
“This is a global problem, and the Australian Government must demonstrate national leadership by addressing the local driver shortage and improving road safety,” he said.
“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.”
The predicted global GDP growth reported by the IRU will reportedly further exacerbate the problem, as higher economic output can lead to a higher demand for truck drivers.
In Australia, road freight volumes are projected to grow by 77 per cent by 2050, placing great pressure on top of the existing driver labour shortage.
The IRU’s 2024 Global Truck Driver Shortage survey was the first to include Australia’s participation.
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