Germany remains the leading country for goods transported by railway in Europe, accounting for 30.17 million tonne kilometers in 2024, showing a robust annual growth of 1.8%. Poland, despite being the second-largest segment, displays a decline of 1.04% over the past year. France and Italy, holding 8.14 and 5.63 million tonne kilometers, respectively, show modest growth. Other notable countries such as Hungary and Norway exhibit strong growth, whereas Latvia and Lithuania report significant declines.
Short-term fluctuations include moderate declines in key markets like the United Kingdom and Spain due to varying economic conditions, contrasted with Bulgaria's substantial year-on-year growth of 7.17%. Seasonal and operational adjustments also affect fluctuations in countries like Denmark and Finland, which significantly declined. Key observations point to growth in smaller markets like Montenegro and Croatia while showing stability in established markets like Switzerland and Austria.
Future trends to watch for include the impact of EU-level environmental policies on railway freight volume, digitalization improving operational efficiency, and infrastructure investments in emerging markets potentially boosting their rail freight share. Ongoing geopolitical factors and sustainability goals will likely shape the future landscape of European railway freight transport.
Top countries in Goods Transported by Railway Share by Country (Million Tonne Kilometers)
| # | 10 Countries | Percent | Last Year | YoY | 5-years CAGR | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 Germany | 30.17 | 2023 | +0.22% | +1.8% | View data |
| 2 | 2 Poland | 13.19 | 2023 | -4.95% | -1.04% | View data |
| 3 | 3 France | 8.14 | 2023 | -1.43% | +0.42% | View data |
| 4 | 4 Italy | 5.63 | 2023 | -1.18% | +1.73% | View data |
| 5 | 5 Sweden | 5.41 | 2023 | -0.15% | +0.29% | View data |
| 6 | 6 Austria | 5.2 | 2023 | +0.16% | +0.19% | View data |
| 7 | 7 Czech Republic | 3.83 | 2023 | +0.27% | -0.18% | View data |
| 8 | 8 United Kingdom | 3.7 | 2023 | -1.6% | -1.67% | View data |
| 9 | 9 Romania | 3.04 | 2023 | -2.36% | -0.1% | View data |
| 10 | 10 Switzerland | 2.8 | 2023 | -1.27% | +0.35% | View data |
