Between 1990 and 2020, the total length of railway networks in the European Union declined. The network was extended to 202.6k kilometers in 2021 before decreasing again slightly by just under 500 kilometers in the following year. In 1990, the total railway length in the EU-27 member states had still stood at a significantly higher 220.8k kilometers.
High-speed rail defies trend
In contrast to the overall decline in railway length, the high-speed rail network saw a prominent extension. Between 1985 and 2022, the number of kilometers available grew almost twentyfold, reaching 12,015 kilometers in 2022. As of 2022, Spain had the greatest length of high-speed rail networks in Europe. It was closely followed by France, with Germany coming in third.
Germany home to most extensive rail network
Of European countries, Germany recorded the most extensive rail network. As of 2022, Germany’s rail network amounted to over 38,800 kilometers. By comparison, Spain’s network had a total length of about 16,500 kilometers.
Total length of the railway lines in use in the European Union (EU-27) from 1990 to 2022
(in kilometers)
Characteristic
Length of rail network in kilometers
2022
202,131
2021
202,596
2020
200,099
2019
199,587
2015
199,741
2010
204,149
2005
200,457
2000
205,664
1990
220,757
050,000100,000150,000200,000250,000
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European Commission. (September 30, 2024). Total length of the railway lines in use in the European Union (EU-27) from 1990 to 2022 (in kilometers) [Graph]. In Statista. Retrieved April 22, 2025, from https://www.statista.com/statistics/451812/length-of-railway-lines-in-use-in-europe-eu-28/
European Commission. "Total length of the railway lines in use in the European Union (EU-27) from 1990 to 2022 (in kilometers)." Chart. September 30, 2024. Statista. Accessed April 22, 2025. https://www.statista.com/statistics/451812/length-of-railway-lines-in-use-in-europe-eu-28/
European Commission. (2024). Total length of the railway lines in use in the European Union (EU-27) from 1990 to 2022 (in kilometers). Statista. Statista Inc.. Accessed: April 22, 2025. https://www.statista.com/statistics/451812/length-of-railway-lines-in-use-in-europe-eu-28/
European Commission. "Total Length of The Railway Lines in Use in The European Union (Eu-27) from 1990 to 2022 (in Kilometers)." Statista, Statista Inc., 30 Sep 2024, https://www.statista.com/statistics/451812/length-of-railway-lines-in-use-in-europe-eu-28/
European Commission, Total length of the railway lines in use in the European Union (EU-27) from 1990 to 2022 (in kilometers) Statista, https://www.statista.com/statistics/451812/length-of-railway-lines-in-use-in-europe-eu-28/ (last visited April 22, 2025)
Total length of the railway lines in use in the European Union (EU-27) from 1990 to 2022 (in kilometers) [Graph], European Commission, September 30, 2024. [Online]. Available: https://www.statista.com/statistics/451812/length-of-railway-lines-in-use-in-europe-eu-28/
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