Based on the data, the national rail freight volume in the Netherlands was 3.01 million metric tons in 2023. Analyzing year-on-year variations, there were notable fluctuations, with a decline of -0.3% in 2023 compared to 2022. Looking at the last five years, the compound annual growth rate (CAGR) stood at -1.15%, illustrating a slight overall decline in rail freight volume. Historical trends showed periods of both significant decline and recovery, with notable drops in 2016 and 2020, and rebounds in years like 2018 and 2021. Moving forward, the forecast suggests a slight decrease with a forecasted 5-year CAGR of -0.24% through 2028.
Future trends to watch for include the impact of infrastructure investments, changes in trade volume due to evolving international trade policies, and the potential influence of environmental regulations driving shifts from road to rail transport. Additionally, technological advancements in logistics and railways may play a critical role in shaping the future trajectory of rail freight volumes.