At a time when the global supply chain remains fragile, one profession is becoming strategically important: that of the professional truck driver. Demand is growing rapidly, while the labor supply is insufficient, creating a gap that threatens to worsen pressures on the economy.
The international transport market is facing an increasingly severe personnel problem, with companies striving to attract new workers. This trend is attributed to multiple factors, the most significant being the aging of the existing workforce and the declining appeal of the profession to younger generations.
The figures highlight the scale of the challenge. About four years ago, the shortage of drivers in the United States was around 80,000 workers. Estimates suggest this number could reach 160,000 by 2028, which is expected to intensify market pressures.
The widening gap could have direct impacts on the supply chain, affecting product availability and contributing to rising prices for consumers. Faced with this reality, many companies in the U.S. are turning to hiring drivers from countries outside the European Union, seeking to meet growing needs. At the same time, the need to attract young people to the profession is leading to a strategic shift, with emphasis on both compensation and working conditions.