The employment figures in the UK road freight transport sector have shown considerable fluctuation from 2013 to 2023, with a significant dip in 2014 followed by a peak in 2016. The most recent data indicates that the number of employees in this sector was 273.44 thousand in 2023. The year-on-year variation in 2023 was a slight increase of 0.37%. Over the past five years, the compound annual growth rate (CAGR) has been virtually flat at -0.067%. This suggests a period of relative stabilization after earlier volatility.
Looking ahead, forecast data indicates a steady but slow increase in employment numbers, with a forecast 5-year CAGR of 0.27%. By 2028, it is expected that the number of persons employed will reach 278.15 thousand, reflecting a forecast 5-year growth rate of 1.36%. This suggests a modest but positive trend in employment within the sector.
Future trends to watch for include the impact of automation and technological advancements in logistics, changes in regulatory policies post-Brexit, and the potential influence of environmental sustainability initiatives on employment and operational strategies in the road freight transport sector.
