Per capita investment in rail infrastructure in Europe 2023

In 2023, Luxembourg spent the most on its rail infrastructure per capita among European countries, followed by Switzerland. The two countries respectively spent 512 and 477 euros per inhabitant on their rail network that year.

Luxembourg - small and safe

Luxembourg not only spent the most on its rail infrastructure per person, it was also one of the safest railway networks in Europe. In 2022, the country only recorded six rail accidents. Only Ireland recorded fewer accidents. However, this is possibly not entirely surprising, given the size of the Luxembourgian railway network. At 263 kilometers length, only Albania and North Macedonia have a smaller rail network.

More spending, more passengers?

Switzerland not only has the second-highest rail spend per capita, it also boasts the highest rail modal share in Europe, with 12.5 percent of passenger-kilometers traveled in the country being traveled by rail.

Austria, ranking third in terms of rail mode share in Europe, also ranks third on investment in rail infrastructure. France, meanwhile, has the second-highest rail modal share in Europe at 9.4 percent, sees some of the lowest investment per capita in its rail infrastructure.