As of 2023, the length of conventional railway lines in France was 13.34 thousand kilometers. Forecasts indicate a steady decline over the next five years, with the railway network expected to shrink to 10.91 thousand kilometers by 2028. The annual depreciation rates highlight a gradual reduction, marked by a 3.8% decrease from 2024 to 2025, a 4% decline from 2025 to 2026, a 4% dip from 2026 to 2027, and another 4.2% drop from 2027 to 2028. The compound annual growth rate (CAGR) for this period is approximately -4%.

Future trends to monitor include:

Investment in rail infrastructure and modernization initiatives that might mitigate this decline.
Policy changes promoting more sustainable transport modes, potentially reversing the contraction.
Technological advances in rail efficiency and network optimization.