Industry Statistics and Trends
Passenger Rail Transport in Europe key trends
Recovering passenger numbers boost their revenue share.
In 2023, the EU achieved record-high passenger numbers, exceeding pre-pandemic levels, particularly in France. This increase was mainly driven by leisure and tourism travel.
The European Commission's Action Plan will support industry growth.
Supported by the Trans-European Transport Network projects, long-distance and cross-border networks will continue to receive investment to support the modal shift to greater rail travel.
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Passenger Rail Transport in Europe
Industry Revenue
Total value and annual change from 2012-2030. Includes 5-year outlook.
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Passenger Rail Transport in Europe market size (2020-2025)
Industry revenue has grown at a CAGR of 5.5 % over the past five years, to reach an estimated €110.0bn in 2025.
Trends and Insights
Recovering passenger numbers boost the industry’s revenue prospects
- The COVID-19 outbreak in 2020 led to a downturn in rail travel within the EU, with passenger transport performance nearly halving. It dropped by 46%, resulting in just 224 billion passenger kilometres (pkm), which significantly harmed industry revenue. Strict lockdown restrictions across Europe, which prohibited the movement of people, forced train operating companies (TOCs) to reduce their services. As a result, they faced financial losses because slashed passenger fare income left them unable to cover operating costs.
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Passenger Rail Transport in Europe outlook (2025-2030)
Market size is projected to grow over the next five years.
The European Commission's New Action Plan will continue to boost growth prospects
- The European Commission's 2021 Action Plan, combined with changes to the Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T), aims to boost long-distance and cross-border passenger rail services, expanding high-speed rail capacity. As part of the broader European Green Deal and the Sustainable and Smart Mobility Strategy, the Action Plan will continue to bolster industry growth through investing in rail network expansion, encouraging the transport modal shift from air and road travel to rail, amid rising environmental awareness. Supported by the European Investment Bank, the plan will help the EU meet its strategic milestones of doubling high-speed rail traffic by 2030 and tripling it by 2050.
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Revenue
€110.0bn
Employees
2m
Wages
€XX.Xbn
European Leaders & Laggards
* CAGR values are for the years 2020-2025.
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Biggest companies in the Passenger Rail Transport in Europe
| Company | Market Share (%)
2025 | Revenue (€m)
2025 | Profit (€m)
2025 | Profit Margin (%)
2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
DB Fernverkehr AG | 51,491.7 | 247.5 | 0.5 | |
Société Nationale SNCF SA | 45,695.1 | 2,632.4 | 5.8 | |
ÖBB-Personenverkehr AG | 9,797.7 | 788.7 | 8.0 |
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Passenger Rail Transport in Europe
Products & Services Segmentation
Industry revenue broken down by key product and services lines.
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Top Questions Answered in this Report
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What is the market size of the Passenger Rail Transport industry in Europe in 2025?
The market size of the Passenger Rail Transport industry in Europe is €110.0bn in 2025.
How many businesses are there in the Passenger Rail Transport industry in Europe in 2025?
There are 465 businesses in the Passenger Rail Transport industry in Europe, which has declined at a CAGR of 9.0 % between 2020 and 2025.
Has the Passenger Rail Transport industry in Europe grown or declined over the past 5 years?
The market size of the Passenger Rail Transport industry in Europe has been growing at a CAGR of 5.5 % between 2020 and 2025.
What is the forecast growth of the Passenger Rail Transport industry in Europe over the next 5 years?
Over the next five years, the Passenger Rail Transport industry in Europe is expected to grow.
What does the Passenger Rail Transport industry in Europe include?
Conventional train transport and High-speed train transport are part of the Passenger Rail Transport industry in Europe.
Which countries have the most businesses in the Passenger Rail Transport industry in Europe?
The European country with the most businesses in the Passenger Rail Transport industry is Russia.
How competitive is the Passenger Rail Transport industry in Europe?
The level of competition is low and steady in the Passenger Rail Transport industry in Europe.
Related Industries
This industry is covered in 37 countries
- Passenger Rail Transport in Austria
- Passenger Rail Transport in Romania
- Passenger Rail Transport in Hungary
- Passenger Rail Transport in Switzerland
- Passenger Rail Transport in Czechia
- Passenger Rail Transport in Turkey
- Passenger Rail Transport in Finland
- Intercity Passenger Rail Transport in the UK
- Intercity Passenger Rail Transport in Germany
- Passenger Rail Transport in Luxembourg
- Passenger Rail Transport in Russia
- Passenger Rail Transport in the Netherlands
- Passenger Rail Transport in Belgium
- Passenger Rail Transport in Sweden
- Passenger Rail Transport in Bulgaria
- Passenger Rail Transport in Spain
- Passenger Rail Transport in France
- Passenger Rail Transport in Italy
- Passenger Rail Transport in Norway
- Passenger Rail Transport in Poland
- Passenger Rail Transport in Croatia
- Passenger Rail Transport in Latvia
- Passenger Rail Transport in Portugal
- Passenger Rail Transport in Lithuania
- Passenger Rail Transport in the UK
- Passenger Rail Transport in Denmark
- Passenger Rail Transport in Germany
- Passenger Rail Transport in Estonia
- Passenger Rail Transport in Europe
Table of Contents
About this industry
Industry definition
Passenger Rail Transport in Europe incorporates passenger rail transportation using railway rolling stock on mainline networks spread over Europe. It includes passenger transport by interurban railways, sleeping cars or dining cars as an integrated operation of railway companies. The industry excludes the operation of urban and suburban transport systems and passenger terminal activities.
Related Terms
MODAL SHIFT COMMUTER RAIL TRANS-EUROPEAN TRANSPORT NETWORK Train Operating Companies (Tocs)What's included in this industry?
Conventional train transport High-speed train transport Tilting train transportCompanies
DB Fernverkehr AGSociété Nationale SNCF SAÖBB-Personenverkehr AGIndustry Code
4911 - Passenger rail transport, interurban in Europe
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Performance
Key Takeaways
Recovering passenger numbers boost the industry’s revenue prospects
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Revenue Highlights
Trends
- Revenue
- 2025 Revenue Growth
- Revenue Volatility
Employment Highlights
Trends
- Employees
- Employees per Business
- Revenue per Employee
Business Highlights
Trends
- Businesses
- Employees per Business
- Revenue per Business
Profit Highlights
Trends
- Total Profit
- Profit Margin
- Profit per Business
Current Performance
Charts
- Revenue in the Passenger Rail Transport in Europe industry (2012 -2030)
- Employees in the Passenger Rail Transport in Europe industry (2012 -2030)
- Business in the Passenger Rail Transport in Europe industry (2012 -2030)
- Profit in the Passenger Rail Transport in Europe industry (2012 -2030)
Analysis
What's driving current industry performance in the Passenger Rail Transport in Europe industry?
Outlook
Analysis
What's driving the Passenger Rail Transport in Europe industry outlook?
Volatility
Analysis
What influences volatility in the Passenger Rail Transport in Europe industry?
Charts
- Industry Volatility vs. Revenue Growth Matrix
Life Cycle
Analysis
What determines the industry life cycle stage in the Passenger Rail Transport in Europe industry?
Charts
- Industry Life Cycle Matrix
Products and Markets
Highlights
Trends
- Largest Market
- Product Innovation
Key Takeaways
EU policy support expansion of high-speed train networks. Through the EU Action Plan it aims to double high-speed rail traffic by 2030, which will boost this service's income opportunities.
Products and Services
Charts
- Products and Services Segmentation
Analysis
How are the Passenger Rail Transport in Europe industry's products and services performing?
Analysis
What are innovations in the Passenger Rail Transport in Europe industry's products and services?
Major Markets
Charts
- Major Market Segmentation
Analysis
What influences demand in the Passenger Rail Transport in Europe industry?
International Trade
Highlights
- Largest Importer
- Smallest Importer
- Total Imports into Europe
- Largest Exporter
- Smallest Exporter
- Total Exports into Europe
Heat maps
- Industry Concentration of Imports by Country
- Industry Concentration of Exports by Country
Data Tables
Value and annual change (%) included
- Number of Imports and Exports by European Country (2025)
Geographic Breakdown
Business Locations
Heat maps
- Share of Total Industry Revenue by Region (2025)
- Share of Total Industry Enterprises by Region (2025)
- Share of Total Industry Employment by Region (2025)
- Share of Total Industry Wages by Region (2025)
Industry Geographic Breakdown
Data Tables
Values and annual change provided for 37 European countries:
- Revenue (2025)
- IVA (2025)
- Enterprises (2025)
- Employment (2025)
- Exports (2025)
- Imports (2025)
Competitive Forces
Highlights
Trends
- Concentration
- Competition
- Barriers to Entry
- Substitutes
- Buyer Power
- Supplier Power
Key Takeaways
Competition in individual regions is low. Once train operating companies win a contract, they have a natural monopoly on the area they serve, so they don’t have to compete with other providers.
Supply Chain
Charts
Buyer and supply industries
Companies
Market Share
Charts
- Industry Market Share by Company (2020-2025)
Companies
Data Tables
Top 10 companies by market share:
- Market share (2025)
- Revenue (2025)
- Profit (2025)
- Profit Margin (2025)
Data Tables
- Countries of operation for DB Fernverkehr AG
- Countries of operation for Société Nationale SNCF SA
- Countries of operation for ÖBB-Personenverkehr AG
- Countries of operation for Ferrovie dello Stato Italiane SpA
- Countries of operation for Renfe Operadora SA
- Countries of operation for Eurostar Group
- Countries of operation for SNCB International
- Countries of operation for NS Groep NV
- Countries of operation for Nuovo Trasporto Viaggiatori SpA
- Countries of operation for Iarnród Éireann
External Environment
Highlights
Trends
- Regulation & Policy
- Assistance
Key Takeaways
With commuters being the largest market for passenger rail transport, employment numbers in Europe have a substantial bearing on demand. Higher employment generally translates into higher passenger numbers, though other working trends also play a part in determining the level of travel. COVID-19 brought about a more widespread trend of working from home, disrupting the relationship between employment levels and passenger numbers.
External Drivers
Analysis
What demographic and macroeconomic factors impact the Passenger Rail Transport in Europe industry?
Financial Benchmarks
Highlights
Trends
- Profit Margin
- Average Wage
- Largest Cost
Key Takeaways
Workers want wages increased. There’s been widespread industrial action across the rail network in Europe, prompted mainly by lacklustre pay rises and reduced station staffing.
Cost Structure
Charts
- Share of Economy vs. Investment Matrix
-
Industry Cost Structure Benchmarks:
- Marketing
- Depreciation
- Profit
- Purchases
- Wages
- Rent
- Utilities
- Other
Analysis
What trends impact cost in the Passenger Rail Transport in Europe industry?
Key Ratios
Data tables
- IVA/Revenue (2015-2030)
- Imports/Demand (2015-2030)
- Exports/Revenue (2015-2030)
- Revenue per Employee (2015-2030)
- Wages/Revenue (2015-2030)
- Employees per Establishment (2015-2030)
- Average Wage (2015-2030)
Country Benchmarks
European Leaders & Laggards
Data Tables
Top and bottom five countries listed for each:
- Revenue Growth (2025)
- Business Growth (2025)
- Job Growth (2025)
European Country Performance
Data Tables
Rankings available for 37 countries. Statistics ranked include:
- IVA/Revenue (2025)
- Imports/Demand (2025)
- Exports/Revenue (2025)
- Revenue per Employee (2025)
- Wages/Revenue (2025)
- Employees per Establishment (2025)
- Average Wage (2025)
Structural Comparison
Data Tables
Trends in 37 countries benchmarked against trends in Europe
- Concentration
- Competition
- Barriers to Entry
- Buyer Power
- Supplier Power
- Volatility
- Capital Intensity
- Innovation
- Life Cycle
Key Statistics
Industry Data
Data Tables
Including values and annual change:
- Revenue (2015-2030)
- IVA (2015-2030)
- Establishments (2015-2030)
- Enterprises (2015-2030)
- Employment (2015-2030)
- Exports (2015-2030)
- Imports (2015-2030)
- Wages (2015-2030)
Methodology
Where does IBISWorld source its data?
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Each industry report incorporates data and research from government databases, industry-specific sources, industry contacts, and IBISWorld's proprietary database of statistics and analysis to provide balanced, independent and accurate insights.
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