Industry Statistics and Trends
Market size and recent performance (2016-2031)
Industry revenue has grown at a CAGR of 15.7 % over the past five years, to reach an estimated €355.2m in 2026.
Trends and Insights
Soaring passenger numbers and commuter demand are assisting strong revenue growth
- Despite ongoing cost-of-living pressures, rail passenger numbers in Ireland have continued to soar, reaching record levels. Irish Rail has reported significant growth, with passenger journeys expanding from 35.8 million in 2022 to 50.7 million in 2024, representing a 42% climb. Irish Rail also anticipates a further 10% jump in passenger rail journeys in 2025, driven by strong commuter demand and revenue management interventions.
- Additional trends and insights available with purchase
Source: IBISWorld
Industry outlook (2026-2031)
Market size is projected to grow over the next five years.
Trends and Insights
Ongoing network expansion will lift passenger journeys
- Through €2 billion of planned investment, the DART+ Programme plans to expand the DART network from its current 50km in length to over 150km. The programme also aims to add up to 750 electric trains to Irish Rail’s rolling stock, supporting an expansion in revenue as more trains begin to enter service. The initial costs associated with such investment will contribute to further losses in the medium term, though the rollout of electric trains should aid long-term cost efficiencies.
Biggest companies in the Rail Transport in Ireland
| Company | Market Share (%)
2026 | Revenue (€m)
2026 |
|---|---|---|
Irish Rail | 295.1 |
To view the market share and analysis for all 1 top companies in this industry, view purchase options.
Products & Services Segmentation
Source: IBISWorld
Industry revenue is measured across several distinct product and services lines, including Passenger fares and Freight charges . Passenger fares is the largest segment of the Rail Transport in Ireland.
Trends and Insights
Growing rail passenger numbers bolster passenger fare revenue
- Irish Rail operates Ireland's national railway network and the industry’s passenger fare revenue is determined by the National Transport Authority (NTA), which sets the pricing structure for tickets.
- More insights available in the full report
Table of Contents
About this industry
Industry definition
Rail Transport in Ireland includes passenger and freight transport by rail between counties. The passenger rail transport industry transports passengers by rail between urban areas. The industry also provides some support services, including managing railway stations and the transportation of freight and post.
What's included in this industry?
Products and services covered in the Rail Transport industry in Ireland include Passenger fares and Freight charges.Companies
Companies covered in the Rail Transport industry in Ireland include Irish Rail.Purchase this report to view all 1 major companies in this industry.
Related Terms
Related terms covered in the Rail Transport industry in Ireland include freight charge, infrastructure manager multi-annual contract, project ireland 2040, public service obligation, rolling stock and track access charge.Industry Code
SIC 49.1 - Rail Transport in Ireland
Performance
Get an indication of the industry's health through historical, current and forward-looking trends in the performance indicators that make or break businesses.
Analyst insights
Increased government spending is supporting the industry amid escalating costs. In recent years, mounting PSO funding has helped Irish Rail manage rising electricity and fuel...
In this chapter (4)
- Current Performance
- Outlook
- Volatility
- Life Cycle
Key metrics
- Annual Revenue, Recent Growth, Forecast, Revenue Volatility
- Number of Employees, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Employee
- Number of Businesses, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Business
- Total Profit, Profit Margin, Profit per Business
Charts
- Revenue, including historical (2016-2025) and forecast (2026-2031)
- Employees, including historical (2016-2025) and forecast (2026-2031)
- Businesses, including historical (2016-2025) and forecast (2026-2031)
- Profit, including historical (2016-2026)
- Industry Volatility vs. Revenue Growth
- Industry Life Cycle
Detailed analysis
- Trends in supply, demand and current events that are driving current industry performance
- Expected trends, economic factors and ongoing events that drive the industry's outlook
- Key success factors for businesses to overcome volatility
- How contribution to GDP, industry saturation, innovation, consolidation, and technology and systems influence the industry's life cycle phase.
Products and Markets
Learn about an industry's products and services, markets and trends in international trade.
Analyst insight
Passenger rail volumes continue to grow. Strong growth in passenger journeys has persisted, driven by increasing return-to-office mandates, demand from commuters, and an expa...
In this chapter
- Products & Services
- Major Markets
Key metrics
- Largest market segment and value in 2026
- Product innovation level
Charts
- Products & services segmentation in 2026
- Major market segmentation in 2026
Detailed analysis
- Trends impacting the recent performance of the industry's various segments
- Innovations in the industry's product or service offering, specialization or delivery method
- Key factors that successful businesses consider in their offerings
- Buying segments and key trends influencing demand for industry products and services
Geographic Breakdown
Discover where business activity is most concentrated in an industry and the factors driving these trends to find opportunities and conduct regional benchmarking.
Analyst insights
Dublin dominates Irish rail services. The capital's extensive network caters to its large population, with Irish Rail operating crucial intercity routes in the South East and...
In this chapter (1)
- Business Locations
Charts
- Share of revenue, establishment, wages and employment in each region
- Share of population compared to establishments in each region in 2026
Tables
- Number and share of establishments in each region in 2026
- Number and share of revenue each region accounts for in 2026
- Number and share of wages each region accounts for in 2026
- Number and share of employees in each region in 2026
Detailed analysis
- Geographic spread of the industry across Europe, and trends associated with changes in the business landscape
- Key success factors for businesses to use location to their advantage
Competitive Forces
Get data and insights on what's driving competition in an industry and the challenges industry operators and new entrants may face, with analysis built around Porter's Five Forces framework.
Analyst insights
Irish Rail dominates Irish transport. Despite net losses, high market concentration and public funding keep the company's large-scale operations afloat.
In this chapter (4)
- Concentration
- Barriers to Entry
- Substitutes
- Buyer & Supplier Analysis
Key metrics
- Industry concentration level
- Industry competition level and trend
- Barriers to entry level and trend
- Substitutes level and trend
- Buyer power level and trend
- Supplier power level and trend
Charts
- Market share concentration among the top 4 suppliers from 2021-2026
- Supply chain including upstream supplying industries and downstream buying industries, flow chart
Detailed analysis
- Factors impacting the industry’s level of concentration, such as business distribution, new entrants, or merger and acquisition activity.
- Key success factors for businesses to manage the competitive environment of the industry.
- Challenges that potential industry entrants face such as legal, start-up costs, differentiation, labor/capital intensity and capital expenses.
- Key success factors for potential entrants to overcome barriers to entry.
- Competitive threats from potential substitutes for the industry’s own products and services.
- Key success factors for how successful businesses can compete with substitutes.
- Advantages that buyers have to keep favorable purchasing conditions.
- Advantages that suppliers have to maintain favorable selling conditions.
- Key success factors for how businesses can navigate buyer and supplier power.
Companies
Learn about the performance of the top companies in the industry.
Analyst insights
Rail transport in Ireland is highly concentrated. High capital costs, extensive operations, and stringent regulatory requirements limit the entry of new rail operators into t...
In this chapter
- Market Share Concentration
- Companies
- Company Spotlights
Charts
- Industry market share by company in 2022 through 2026
- Major companies in the industry, including market share, revenue, profit and profit margin in 2026
- Overview of Irish Rail's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2020 through 2026
Detailed analysis
- Description and key data for Irish Rail, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
External Environment
Understand the demographic, economic and regulatory factors that shape how businesses in an industry perform.
Analyst insights
Rail companies are reliant on government funding. The Irish rail industry combats revenue shortfalls with Public Service Obligation funds granted by the National Transport Au...
In this chapter
- External Drivers
- Regulation & Policy
- Assistance
Key metrics
- Regulation & policy level and trend
- Assistance level and trend
Charts
- Regulation & Policy historical data and forecast (2016-2031)
- Assistance historical data and forecast (2016-2031)
Detailed analysis
- Demographic and macroeconomic factors influencing the industry, including Regulation & Policy and Assistance
- Major types of regulations, regulatory bodies, industry standards or specific regulations impacting requirements for industry operators
- Key governmental and non-governmental groups or policies that may provide some relief for industry operators.
Financial Benchmarks
View average costs for industry operators and compare financial data against an industry's financial benchmarks over time.
Analyst insights
Irish Rail operates at a loss. Public Service Obligation contracts with the Department of Transport help keep unprofitable routes running despite the company making a signifi...
In this chapter
- Cost Structure
- Financial Ratios
- Key Ratios
Key metrics
- Profit margin, and how it compares to the sector-wide margin
- Average wages, and how it compares to the sector-wide average wage
- Largest cost component as a percentage of revenue
- Industry average ratios for days' receivables, industry coverage and debt-to-net-worth ratio
Charts
- Average industry operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2026
- Average sector operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2026
- Investment vs. share of economy
Data tables
- Cash Flow & Debt Service Ratios (2016-2031)
- Revenue per Employee (2016-2031)
- Revenue per Enterprise (2016-2031)
- Employees per Establishment (2016-2031)
- Employees per Enterprise (2016-2031)
- Average Wage (2016-2031)
- Wages/Revenue (2016-2031)
- Establishments per Enterprise (2016-2031)
- IVA/Revenue (2016-2031)
- Imports/Demand (2016-2031)
- Exports/Revenue (2016-2031)
Detailed analysis
- Trends in the cost component for industry operators and their impact on industry costs and profitability
Key Statistics
Industry Data
Data Tables
Including values and annual change:
- Revenue (2016-2031)
- IVA (2016-2031)
- Establishments (2016-2031)
- Enterprises (2016-2031)
- Employment (2016-2031)
- Exports (2016-2031)
- Imports (2016-2031)
- Wages (2016-2031)
Top Questions Answered
Unlock comprehensive answers and precise data upon purchase. View purchase options.
What is the market size of the Rail Transport industry in Ireland in 2026?
The market size of the Rail Transport industry in Ireland is €355.2m in 2026.
How many businesses are there in the Rail Transport industry in Ireland in 2026?
There are 21 businesses in the Rail Transport industry in Ireland, which has grown at a CAGR of 5.6 % between 2021 and 2026.
How may import tariffs affect the Rail Transport industry in Ireland?
The Rail Transport industry in Ireland is unlikely to be materially impacted by import tariffs with imports accounting for a low share of industry revenue.
How may export tariffs affect the Rail Transport industry in Ireland?
The Rail Transport industry in Ireland is unlikely to be materially impacted by export tariffs with exports accounting for a low share of industry revenue.
Has the Rail Transport industry in Ireland grown or declined over the past 5 years?
The market size of the Rail Transport industry in Ireland has been growing at a CAGR of 15.7 % between 2021 and 2026.
What is the forecast growth of the Rail Transport industry in Ireland over the next 5 years?
Over the next five years, the Rail Transport industry in Ireland is expected to grow.
What are the biggest companies in the Rail Transport industry in Ireland?
The biggest company operating in the Rail Transport industry in Ireland is Irish Rail
What does the Rail Transport industry in Ireland include?
Passenger fares and Freight charges are part of the Rail Transport industry in Ireland.
Which companies have the highest market share in the Rail Transport industry in Ireland?
The company holding the most market share in the Rail Transport industry in Ireland is Irish Rail.
How competitive is the Rail Transport industry in Ireland?
The level of competition is low and steady in the Rail Transport industry in Ireland.
Methodology
How are IBISWorld reports created?
IBISWorld has been a leading provider of trusted industry research for over 50 years to the most successful companies worldwide. With offices in Australia, the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany and China, we are proud to have local teams of analysts that conduct research, data analysis and forecasting to produce data-driven industry reports.
Our analysts start with official, verified and publicly available sources of data to build the most accurate picture of each industry. Analysts then leverage their expertise and knowledge of the local markets to synthesize trends into digestible content for IBISWorld readers. Finally, each report is reviewed by one of IBISWorld’s editors, who provide quality assurance to ensure accuracy and readability.
IBISWorld relies on human-verified data and human-written analysis to compile each standard industry report. We do not use generative AI tools to write insights, although members can choose to leverage AI-based tools within the platform to generate additional analysis formats.
What data sources do IBISWorld analysts use?
Each industry report incorporates data and research from government databases, industry-specific sources, industry contacts, and our own proprietary database of statistics and analysis to provide balanced, independent and accurate insights.
Key data sources in Ireland include:
- Central Statistics Office
- Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment
- Irish Tax & Customs
Analysts also use industry specific sources to complement catch-all sources, although their perspective may focus on a particular organization or representative body, rather than a clear overview of all industry operations. However, when balanced against other perspectives, industry-specific sources provide insights into industry trends.
These sources include:
- Industry and trade associations
- Industry federations or regulators
- Major industry players annual or quarterly filings
Finally, IBISWorld’s global data scientists maintain a proprietary database of macroeconomic and demand drivers, which our analysts use to help inform industry data and trends. They also maintain a database of statistics and analysis on thousands of industries, which has been built over our more than 50-year history and offers comprehensive insights into long-term trends.
How does IBISWorld forecast its data?
IBISWorld’s analysts and data scientists use the sources above to create forecasts for our proprietary datasets and industry statistics. Depending on the dataset, they may use regression analysis, multivariate analysis, time-series analysis or exponential smoothing techniques to project future data for the industry or driver. Additionally, analysts will leverage their local knowledge of industry operating and regulatory conditions to impart their best judgment on the forecast model.
IBISWorld prides itself on being a trusted, independent source of data, with over 50 years of experience building and maintaining rich datasets and forecasting tools. We are proud to be the keystone source of industry information for thousands of companies across the world.
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