Global Railway Statistics - Network, Traffic, and Modal Share (2004–2023)

This report offers an analysis of global railway statistics from 2004 to 2023, examining key trends in network infrastructure, passenger and freight traffic, and modal share. Drawing upon data from various international organizations and national sources, it provides a overview of the railway sector's performance across different regions.  

The key results show that the global railway network has expanded mainly in the Asia-Pacific region, driven by substantial developments in countries like China, while other regions have seen stagnation or decline and display wide disparities in network density. Both passenger and freight traffic remain highly concentrated in Asia-Pacific, although global passenger volumes were significantly disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Railway’s share in inland transport has generally declined over the past decade, largely due to the faster growth of road transport. Investment in railway infrastructure varies considerably across regions, reflecting diverse national priorities and long-term transport strategies. 

The report is structured to first examine railway network size and density, followed by an analysis of passenger and freight transport volumes and performance, and concluding with an assessment of railway's modal share and infrastructure investment trends.