EU rail freight volume falls 1.8% in 2025, fourth straight annual decline

EU rail freight ton-kilometers dropped to 368.2B in 2025 from 375.1B in 2024, marking the fourth consecutive year of decline. The trend suggests structural challenges in rail competitiveness or broader economic softness, though the underlying causes are not specified. This matters for EU transport policy and decarbonization goals, as rail is a key low-carbon freight mode.