Brazil relies on trucks, but it is losing drivers

The number of truck drivers in Brazil has fallen roughly 20% over the past decade, raising alarms about logistical challenges in a country where most cargo is still transported by road.

In 2015, there were 5.6 million people in Brazil licensed to drive cargo trucks. By 2021, that number had dropped to 4.4 million and has remained steady since, according to data compiled by logistics consultancy firm ILOS. The workforce is also aging: only 4% of licensed drivers in 2024 were under 30, while 11% were over 70.