From Surf Wiki (app.surf) — the open knowledge base
List of countries by rail transport network size
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This is a sortable list of countries by rail transport network size based on length of rail lines.
Definition
For the purposes of this page, railway has been defined as a fixed route laid with rails along which wagons can be transported. Wagons may be powered by various means and may be used to transport people or goods. Temporary lines laid for specific purposes are not considered unless specified. Countries include the nations listed in the List of sovereign states along with reference ISO 3166 codes which list ISO 3166-1 numeric three-digit country codes which are maintained by the United Nations Statistics Division.
Countries with active network size
| Country/Territory | Length (km) | % of the total | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| electrified | (per route km) | Historical peak | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| length (km) | Nationalized or private | Data year | References | ISO 3166-1 | Total | Electrified | Area (km2) | Population | World | 1,374,001 | 426,313 | 31.03% | 107.95 | 372.12 | 4,814 | 2006 | |||||||||||||
| Rail transportation in | 220,044 | 1,906 | 0.87% | 44.69 | 1,522 | 428,180 (1917) | Track ownership and freight mostly private, passenger mostly public | 2019 | 840 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Rail transport in | 165,000 | 122,000 | 74.40% | 60.61 | 8,865 | 165,000 (2025) | Nationalized, with a number of industrial lines owned by private companies | 2025 | 156 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Rail transport in | 105,118 | 54,073 | 51.48% | 118,000 | Nationalized | 2023 | 643 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rail transport in | 70,117 | 69,712 | 99.4% | 47.93 | 21,038 | 70,117 (2025) | Nationalized, with some private freight operators. | 2025 | 356 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Rail transport in | 49,422 | 129 | 0.20% | 69,636 (1940) | Freight - private | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Passenger - public | 2017 | date=2014 | title=The World Bank | url=http://data.worldbank.org/indicator/IS.RRS.TOTL.KM?name_desc=false | access-date=20 February 2017 | website=data.worldbank.org | publisher=The World Bank | archive-date=29 June 2018 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180629155137/https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/IS.RRS.TOTL.KM?name_desc=false | url-status=live }} | 124 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Rail transport in | 33,351 | 20,851 | 62.52% | 61,498 (1910) | Nationalized with private operators | 2023 | url=https://www.eba.bund.de/SharedDocs/Downloads/DE/Finanzierung/IZB/IZB_2023.pdf?__blob=publicationFile&v=2 | title=Infrastrukturzustands- und -entwicklungsbericht | author=Deutsche Bahn AG | date=April 2024 | page=119 | access-date=2024-11-24}} | 276 | ||||||||||||||||
| Rail transport in | 32,924 | 3,448 | 10.47% | 41,843 (1962) | Both | 2022 | 036 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rail transport in | 29,817 | 432 | 1.6% | 299.6 | 7,225 | 38,000 (1957) | Both | 2014 | 076 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Rail transport in | 27,483 | 16,067 | 58.46% | 63,000 (1923) | Nationalized | 2019 | 250 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rail transport in | 27,311 | 20,534 | 75.19% | 13.84 | 4,647 | Both | 2015 | 392 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Rail transport in | 24,567 | 12,205 | 49.68% | Infrastructure nationalized with private operators. | 2023 | date=31 December 2023 | title=La rete oggi | url=https://www.rfi.it/it/rete/la-rete-oggi.html | url-status=live | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111204091124/http://www.rfi.it/cms/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=25bc8c3e13e0a110VgnVCM10000080a3e90aRCRD | archive-date=4 December 2011 | access-date=15 November 2011 | website=Rete Ferroviaria Italiana | publisher=RFI Rete Ferroviaria Italiana}} | |||||||||||||||
| Rail transport in | 23,389 | 802.7 | 3.43% | 26,914 | Majority of infrastructure nationalized. Private and public operators | 2020 | 484 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rail transport in | 20,953 | 7,413 | 35.38% | Nationalized | 2017 | 710 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rail transport in | 20,077 | 6,600 | 32.87% | 23,955{{efn | The figure is mentioned as the total network length in 1990, but the total network length may have grown after 1990. | 642 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rail transport in | 19,787 | 9,319 | 47.1% | Nationalized | 2019 | 804 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rail transport in | 19,576 | 12,236 | 62.51% | 27,000 (1954) | Nationalized with private operators | 2023 | 616 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rail transport in | 17,866 | 190 | 0.51% | 77.45 | 1,117 | 47,500 (1957) | Both | 2019 | 032 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Rail transport in | 16,998 | 2,200 | 12.94% | 148.41 | 6,816 | Nationalized | 2014 | 364 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Rail transport in | 16,355{{efn | The Spanish railway network comprises the 11,934.3 km of the ADIF network (6,706.4 of them are electrified), the 3,455.7 electrified km of the ADIF AV network, the electrified Catalan FGC (253.4 km) and the electrified Metro networks of Madrid (293 km), Barcelona (166 km), Valencia (156.4 km), Bilbao (51 km), Seville (18 km), Palma (15.6 km) and Málaga (12 km). | 68.03% | 18,000+ (in 1950s) | Nationalized with private operators | 2017 | 724 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rail transport in | 16,179 | 6,065 | 37.49% | 15.10 | 4,178 | 34,075 (1929) | State-owned infrastructure with passenger operations mainly now publicly run with a handful of open access and contracted operators in Great Britain and publicly run in Northern Ireland. | 2023 | url=https://dataportal.orr.gov.uk/media/qekjzwac/rail-statistics-compendium-2022-23.pdf | title=Rail Statistics Compendium: April 2022 to March 2023 | date=2024-01-25 | publisher=Office of Rail and Road | page=15 | access-date=2024-04-03 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240205174435/https://dataportal.orr.gov.uk/media/qekjzwac/rail-statistics-compendium-2022-23.pdf | archive-date=2024-02-05 | url-status=live}} | 826 | |||||||||||
| Rail transport in | 15,530 | 4,200 | 27.04% | Nationalized | 2016 | 398 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rail transport in | 13,919 | 7,142 | 51.3% | Nationalized | 2023 | 792 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rail transport in | 11,025 | 0 | 0.00% | 171.07 | 12,127 | Nationalized | 2006 | 104 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Rail transport in | 10,912 | 8,186 | 75.02% | 16,900 (around 1938) | Nationalized with private operators | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Most services subject to franchising. | 2021 | 752 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rail transport in | 9,567 | 3,237 | 33.84% | Nationalized with private operators | 2017 | 203 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rail transport in | 8,260 | 621 | 7.51% | 219.31 | 32,712 | 8,260 | Nationalized | 2023 | 360 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Rail transport in | 7,945 | 2,889 | 36.36% | Nationalized with private operators | 2017 | 348 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rail transport in | 7,791 | 27.1 | 0.34% | 117.74 | 32,433 | 8,122 (in 1947) | Nationalized | 2015 | {{cite web | url=https://openjicareport.jica.go.jp/pdf/11821907_02.pdf | title=Pakistan Transport Plan Study in the Islamic Republic of Pakistan (PTPS) | website=openjicareport.jica.go.jp | archive-date=27 Oct 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231027093558/https://openjicareport.jica.go.jp/pdf/11821907_02.pdf | url-status=live}} | 586 | |||||||||||||
| Rail transport in | 7,024 | 62 | 0.88% | Nationalized | 2017 | date=6 February 2019 | title=Rail infrastructure: length of network | url=http://appsso.eurostat.ec.europa.eu/nui/show.do?dataset=med_ra1&lang=en | access-date=10 June 2019 | publisher=Eurostat | archive-date=11 December 2019 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191211233723/http://appsso.eurostat.ec.europa.eu/nui/show.do?dataset=med_ra1&lang=en | url-status=live }} | 818 | |||||||||||||||
| Rail transport in | 6,634 | 700 | 10.55% | 128.2 | 2,931 | 8,930 (1930) | Nationalized | 2018 | url=https://www.systra.com/en/project/obsolescence-model-for-the-chilean-railway-network-chile/ | title=Obsolescence model for the chilean railway network – Chile | website=systra.com | access-date=1 September 2025 | archive-date=17 December 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241217194045/https://www.systra.com/en/project/obsolescence-model-for-the-chilean-railway-network-chile/}} | 152 | ||||||||||||||
| Rail transport in | 6,084 | 0 | 0.00% | 339.81 | 5,640 | Nationalized | 2006 | 729 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Rail transport in | 5,926 | 3,270 | 55.18% | Nationalized | 2017 | 246 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rail transport in | 5,735 | 3,894 | 67.9% | 23.03 | 4,595 | Nationalized | 2006 | 408 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Rail transport in | 5,590 | 453 | 8.10% | 384.56 | 6,254 | Nationalized | 2019 | 682 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Rail transport in | 8,193 | 0 | 0.00% | 21.84 | 2,215 | 14,152 | Nationalized | 2010 | 192 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Rail transport in | 5,459 | 874 | 16.01% | Nationalized | 2016 | 112 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rail transport in | 5,317 | 5,317 | 100.00% | 5,868 (1930) | Both, but majority is nationalized | 2020 | 756 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rail transport in | 5,080 | 0 | 0.00% | 153.44 | 1,585 | Nationalized | 2014 | 795 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Rail transport in | 4,859 | 3,650 | 75.12% | 7,166 (1930) | Nationalized with private operators | 2022 | 040 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rail transport in | 4,837 | 3,787 | 78.29% | 20.76 | 10,716 | Nationalized | 2020 | 410 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Rail transport in | 4,669 | 2,500 | 53.54% | 94.8 | 6,969 | 6,950 | Nationalized | 2020 | 860 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Rail transport in | 4,560 | 480 | 10.53% | 4,815 (1930) | Nationalized | 2022 | 012 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rail transport in | 4,240 | 2,895 | 68.3% | 4,471 (1950) | Nationalized with private operators | 2023 | 578 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rail transport in | 4,128 | 506 | 12.26% | 64.64 | 1,070 | 5,681 (1950) | Nationalized | 2018 | 554 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Rail transport in | 4,096 | 852 | 20.80% | 585.19 | 16,463 | 2008 | 180 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rail transport in | 4,845 | 107 | 2.18% | 126.04 | 16,084 | Nationalized | 2025 | 764 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Rail transport in | 4,029 | 3,005 | 74.58% | 6507 | Nationalized | 2023 | 100 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rail transport in | 3,764 | 1,279 | 33.98% | Nationalized | 2017 | 688 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rail transport in | 3,626 | 1,587 | 43.77% | Nationalized | 2017 | 703 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rail transport in | 2,527 | 1,791 | 70.87% | 3,622 | Nationalized | 2023 | 620 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rail transport in | 3,607 | 2,960 | 82.06% | 5,081 (1940) | Nationalized | 2018 | last=Regul | title=Marktmonitoing Spoor 2018 | url=https://www.regul.be/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Marktmonitoring-spoor-2018-NL.pdf | access-date=8 August 2020 | publisher=Regul | page=6 | language=nl | archive-date=21 January 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220121101425/https://www.regul.be/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Marktmonitoring-spoor-2018-NL.pdf | url-status=live }} | 056 | ||||||||||||
| Rail transport in | 4,458 | 20 | 0.45% | 33.30 | 39,178 | 4,458 | Nationalized | 2021, 2022 | 050 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Rail transport in | 3,600 | 0 | 0.00% | 261.84 | 44,904 | Nationalized | 2006 | 566 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Rail transport in | 3,315 | 0 | 0.00% | 141.12 | 27,765 | Nationalized | 2023 | 704 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Rail transport in | 3,249 | 0 | 0.00% | 256.54 | 6,604 | 2008 | 508 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rail transport in | 3,136 | 313 | 9.98% | 130.25 | 4,190 | Nationalized | 2010 | 716 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Rail transport in | 3,055 | 2,314 | 75.74% | 3,407 (1920) | Nationalized with private operators | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rural lines subject to franchising. | 2017 | 528 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rail transport in | 2,944 | 1,278 | 43.41% | Nationalized | 2015 | 031 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rail transport in | 1,791 | 0 | 0.00% | 58.88 | 1,121 | 2,961 | Nationalized | 2006 | 858 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Rail transport in | 1,954 | 0 | 0.00% | 383.32 | 3,638 | 3,692 (1997) | Nationalized | 2011 | 068 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Rail transport in | 2,761 | 0 | 0.00% | 451.54 | 6,911 | 2,764 | Nationalized | 2006 | 024 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Rail transport in | 2,750 | 0 | 0.00% | 86.57 | 11,078 | Nationalized | 2010 | 760 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Rail transport in | 2,600 | 440 | 15.40% | 348.02 | 15,866 | Nationalized | 2006 | 834 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Rail transport in | 2,604 | 985 | 37.83% | Nationalized | 2017 | 191 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rail transport in | 2,541 | 0 | 0.00% | Nationalized | 2013 | date=2015 | title=Rail Infrastructure in Africa: Financing Policy Options | url=https://www.afdb.org/fileadmin/uploads/afdb/Documents/Events/ATFforum/Rail_Infrastructure_in_Africa_-_Financing_Policy_Options_-_AfDB.pdf | access-date=14 June 2019 | publisher=African Development Bank Group | archive-date=23 March 2020 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200323002233/https://www.afdb.org/fileadmin/uploads/afdb/Documents/Events/ATFforum/Rail_Infrastructure_in_Africa_-_Financing_Policy_Options_-_AfDB.pdf | url-status=live }} | 404 | |||||||||||||||
| Rail transport in | 2,382 | 0 | 0.00% | 346.05 | 877 | Nationalized | 2006 | 516 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Rail transport in | 2,240 | 764 | 34.11% | 2,632 (1940) | Semi-Privatized | 2017 | 300 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rail transport in | 2,185 | 1,401 | 64.12% | 1,675.72 | 150,935 | Nationalized | 2016 | title=Chinese, Ethiopian firms sign railway project dealAfricachinadaily.com.cn | url=http://usa.chinadaily.com.cn/world/2011-10/26/content_13978134.htm | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304202318/http://usa.chinadaily.com.cn/world/2011-10/26/content_13978134.htm | archive-date=4 March 2016 | access-date=7 May 2017 | publisher=usa.chinadaily.com.cn}} | 231 | ||||||||||||||
| Rail transport in | 2,165 | 0 | 0.00% | 2,173 (1950) | Nationalized | 2018 | 788 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rail transport in | 2,109 | 1,022 | 48.46% | Nationalized | 2017 | 504 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rail transport in | 2,041 | 1,028 | 50.37% | 162.06 | 15,383 | Nationalized | 2021 | 458 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Rail transport in | 2,032 | 0 | 0.00% | 215.71 | 15,587 | [2,029(1985)](https://www.uoanbar.edu.iq/eStoreImages/Bank/19104.pdf) | Nationalized | 2006 | 368 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Rail transport in | 2,020 | 0 | 0.00% | 636.25 | 14,585 | 4,205 (1930) | Private | 2008 | 604 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Rail transport in | 2,610 | 964 | 36.93% | 5,290 (1931) | Nationalized, | 2017 | 208 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rail transport in | 1,910 | 156 | 8.17% | [2,147 (1950)](https://www.vle.lt/straipsnis/lietuvos-gelezinkeliu-transportas/) | Nationalized | 2021 | 440 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rail transport in | 1,860 | 257 | 13.82% | 2,763 (1920) | Nationalized | 2017 | 428 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rail transport in | 1,810 | 0 | 0.00% | 864.15 | 1,560 | Nationalized | 2008 | 496 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Rail transport in | 1,782 | 1,300 | 72.95% | 21.25 | 13,638 | 5,000 | Nationalized (Conventional network) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Private (High-Speed network) | 2018 | 158 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rail transport in | 2,400 | 53 | 3.15% | 41.83 | 3,065 | 4,354 (1921 - this included Northern Ireland) | Nationalized | 2025 | url=https://www.infrastructure-ni.gov.uk/sites/default/files/consultations/infrastructure/all-island-strategic-rail-review-draft-report-revised-8aug2023.pdf | title=All-Island Strategic Rail Review- Draft Report for Strategic Environmental Assessment Consultation | date=25 July 2023 | publisher=Department of Transport (Ireland) and Department for Infrastructure (Northern Ireland) | page=21 | access-date=22 October 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231022225615/https://www.infrastructure-ni.gov.uk/sites/default/files/consultations/infrastructure/all-island-strategic-rail-review-draft-report-revised-8aug2023.pdf | archive-date=22 October 2023 | url-status=live}} | 372 | |||||||||||
| Rail transport in | 1,663 | 0 | 0.00% | 648.85 | 27,770 | Private | 2007 | 170 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Rail transport in | 1,576 | 1,288 | 81.73% | Nationalized | 2016 | 268 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rail transport in | 1,561 | 0 | 0.00% | 43.51 | 13,696 | 1,530 (1930–1940) | Nationalized | 2024 | 144 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Rail transport in | 1,511 | 700 | 46.32% | 14.61 | 6,487 | Nationalized | 2024 | url=https://www.cbs.gov.il/he/publications/doclib/2024/19.shnatontransportandroadsafety/st19_03.pdf | title=Table 19.3 – Railway Services | work=Statistical Abstract of Israel No. 75 | publisher=Israel Central Bureau of Statistics | date=13 August 2024 | accessdate=19 November 2024}} excludes urban rail | 376 | |||||||||||||||
| Rail transport in | 1,244 | 0 | 0.00% | 930.65 | 122,780 | Nationalized | 2002 | 800 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Rail transport in | 1,237 | 0 | 0.00% | 608.42 | 10,547 | 2006 | 894 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rail transport in | 1,209 | 503 | 41.60% | Nationalized | 2017 | 705 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rail transport in | 1,161 | 132 | 11.37% | 3,000 | Both | 2017 | 233 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rail transport in | 1,151 | 0 | 0.00% | Nationalized | 2017 | 498 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rail transport in | 1,018 | 565 | 55.50% | Nationalized | 2017 | 070 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rail transport in | 977 | 0 | 0.00% | 1,104 | 2015 | 120 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rail transport in | 966 | 0 | 0.00% | 293.54 | 14,810 | 1,131 (1930) | 2006 | Services ceased 2020 | 218 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Rail transport in | 953 | 0 | 0.00% | 250.30 | 25,429 | 2006 | 288 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rail transport in | 906 | 0 | 0.00% | 2015 | 686 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rail transport in | 900 | 0 | 0.00% | 92.8 | 12,252 | 900 | Nationalized | 2023 | 784 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Rail transport in | 888 | 0 | 0.00% | 2014 | 072 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rail transport in | 1.6 | 0 | 0.00% | 123.04 | 16,228 | 799.8 | Private | 2004 | Cross-border line from Mexico, otherwise ceased 2007 | 320 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Rail transport in | 848 | 0 | 0.00% | 2015 | 450 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rail transport in | 837 | 0 | 0.00% | 293.74 | 11,926 | 2006 | 324 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rail transport in | 810 | 0 | 0.00% | 330.45 | 1,858 | 2007 | 266 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rail transport in | 797 | 0 | 0.00% | 148.66 | 18,696 | 2007 | 454 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rail transport in | 795 | 0 | 0.00% | 430.19 | 5086 | Nationalized | 2006 | 178 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Rail transport in | 758 | 0 | 0.00% | 148.58 | 11,581 | 2006 | 204 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rail transport in | 729 | 0 | 0.00% | 2013 | 466 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rail transport in | 728 | 0 | 0.00% | 1,415.80 | 4,753 | Nationalized | 2008 | 478 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Rail transport in | 703 | 703 | 100.00% | Nationalized | 2016 | 051 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rail transport in | 67 | 0 | 0.00% | 160.36 | 11,753 | 785 (1993) | 2006 | 340 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Rail transport in | 683 | 313 | 45.83% | Nationalized | 2017 | 807 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rail transport in | 650 | 0 | 0.00% | Nationalized | 2018 | 116 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rail transport in | 639 | 0 | 0.00% | 504.64 | 30,889 | 2007 | 384 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rail transport in | 622 | 0 | 0.00% | 440.84 | 25,291 | 2006 | 854 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rail transport in | 616 | 0 | 0.00% | 232.31 | 11,167 | Nationalized | 2007 | 762 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Rail transport in | 597 | 0 | 0.00% | 30.61 | 1,442 | 2006 | 242 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rail transport in | 568 | 0 | 0.00% | 100 | 10,613 | 2006 | 768 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rail transport in | 562 | 0 | 0.00% | 37.44 | 10,221 | 2007 | 222 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rail transport in | 532 | 53 | 10.01% | 560.15 | 211,800 | 1,352 (1940) | Nationalized | 2021 | 608 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Rail transport in | 517 | 0 | 0.00% | 94.14 | 18,141 | 2006 | 214 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rail transport in | 490 | 0 | 0.00% | 227.28 | 8,151 | Private | 2006 | 430 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Rail transport in | 424 | 414 | 97.64% | 561.2 | 17,587 | Nationalized (operated by China) | 2021 | 418 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Rail transport in | 417 | 0 | 0.00% | 2012 | 417 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rail transport in | 355 | 0 | 0.00% | 212.45 | 9,594 | 2006 | 591 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rail transport in | 336 | 0 | 0.00% | 2,714.43 | 87,458 | 1020 (1950) | 2006 | 862 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Rail transport in | 334 | 0 | 0.00% | Nationalized with private operators | 2016 | 008 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rail transport in | 306 | 0 | 0.00% | 384.31 | 17,170 | Nationalized | 2006 | 232 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Rail transport in | 301 | 0 | 0.00% | 57.69 | 3,940 | 2008 | 748 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rail transport in | 281 | 280 | 99.7% | 2.56 | 20,892 | State owned infrastructure with passenger operations contracted out | 2025 | 702 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Rail transport in | 278 | 0 | 0.00% | 183.81 | 16,416 | 2007 | 188 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rail transport in | 275 | 275 | 100.00% | 534 (1920–1940) | Nationalized | 2017 | 442 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rail transport in | 268 | 268 | 100.00% | Nationalized (*de facto*) | 2014 | 344 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rail transport in | 250 | 225 | 90.00% | Nationalized | 2017 | 499 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rail transport in | 248 | 0 | 0.00% | 2,598.10 | 48,864 | 728 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rail transport in | 166 | 0 | 0.00% | 986.87 | 3,163 | 2001 | activity ceased 1980's | 740 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Rail transport in | 143 | 0 | 0.00% | 8,860.14 | 171,220 | Private | 562 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rail transport in | 127 | 0 | 0.00% | 1,149.57 | 4,197 | 166 (1920) | 2001 est. | activity ceased around 2007 | 328 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Rail transport in | 93 | 81 | 86.9% | 252.17 | 9,203 | 80 | 2016 | author1=CCECC-CREC JV Project Office | title=亚吉铁路运营维护管理方案 | date=2017-06-20 | language=zh | trans-title=Ethiopia-Djibouti Railway Operation and Maintenance Handbook}} | 262 | ||||||||||||||||
| Rail transport in | 84 | 0 | 0.00% | 854.05 | 69,857 | 544 (1920) | 2001 | 694 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Rail transport in | 82 | 82 | 100.00% | 141.11 | 34,091 | 634 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rail transport in | 75 | 0 | 0.00% | 8,696.40 | 418,827 | Nationalized (operated by neighbouring countries) | 2011 | 004 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Rail transport in | 65 | 0 | 0.00% | 40.41 | 9,948 | 348 (1950) | 2003 | 388 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Rail transport in | 58 | 0 | 0.00% | 5.22 | 1,040 | 2006 | 659 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rail transport in | 57 | 0 | 0.00% | 146 | 2017 | 524 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rail transport in | 38 | 0 | 0.00% | 11,298.67 | 173,056 | 376 | 2006 | 600 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Rail transport in | 30 | 30 | 100.00% | 68 | 42,182 | 206 (1904–1928) | Nationalized | 2024 | LRT | 480 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Rail transport in | 17 | 17 | 100.00% | 143.65 | 38,810 | 370 | 2006 | 630 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Rail transport in | 13 | 0 | 0.00% | 443.46 | 30,692 | 2001 est. | see next table | 096 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Rail transport in | 13 | 13 | 100.00% | 9.83 | 6,200 | 13 (since 2023) | Nationalized | 2023 | LRT | 446 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Rail transport in | 9 | 9 | 100.00% | 17.78 | 4,017 | 9 (since 1872) | Nationalized (operated by Austria) | 2024 | 438 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Rail transport in | 3.9 | 0 | 0.00% | 4.20 | 2,000 | 2001 | 520 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rail transport in | 1.7 | 1.7 | 100.00% | 1.18 | 20,588 | 3.5 (1868–1958) | Nationalized (operated by France) | 2024 | 492 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Rail transport in | 1.6 | 0 | 0.00% | 10,118.33 | 723,667 | 1995 | 426 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rail transport in | 0.3 | 0 | 0.00% | 1.47 | 3,333 | 0.3 (since 1934) | Nationalized (operated by Italy) | 2024 | 336 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Rail transport in{{efn | The European Union (EU) is an economic and political union of member states that are located primarily in Europe. The EU is included as a separate entity because it has many attributes of independent nations, being much more than a free-trade association such as ASEAN, NAFTA, or Mercosur. Transport and trans-European networks are among the shared competencies between the EU and member states. | 56.98% | 20.33 | Both | 2024 |
;Notes
Active network size by region
| Region | Continent | Length (km) | % of the total | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| electrified | (per route km) | Total | Electrified | Area (km2) | Population | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Africa | 85,476.6 | 4,600 | 1401 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 30 | 1022 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 440 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 313}} -- | 355.30 | 16,304 | |||
| Asia | 380,583 | 233,331.1 | 117.13 | 12,335 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ASEAN | Asia | 31,375 | 2,493 | 144.14 | 21,778 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Europe | 376,924 | 207,070.7 | 27.02 | 1,977 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| European Union | Europe | 211,430 | 118,363 | 20.33 | 2,113 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| North America | 302,968.6 | 2,959.7 | 815.56 | 1,955 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Oceania | 37,652.9 | 3,954 | 239.02 | 1,181 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| South America | 82,478 | 9,915 | 216.30 | 5,265 |
Countries without active network
Former operators
| Country | Comment | ISO 3166-1 |
|---|---|---|
| Antigua and Barbuda | Had agricultural / industrial lines | 028 |
| The Bahamas | Had a plantation railway | 044 |
| Barbados | Had a public railway. Has a 3 km tourist line opened in 2019. | 052 |
| Belize | Had one public railway and a number of private lines | 084 |
| Brunei | Has a 4 km section of pier railway (so is outside the definition for this article) | 096 |
| Burundi | Had an internal port railway | 108 |
| Cape Verde | Had a harbour railway | 132 |
| Central African Republic | Had a short portage railway | 140 |
| Comoros | Had plantation railways | 174 |
| Cyprus | Cyprus Government Railway operated 1905 to 1951 | 196 |
| Dominica | Had a forestry railway | 212 |
| Equatorial Guinea | Had a line on Isla de Bioko | 226 |
| Gambia | Had minor port / industrial lines | 270 |
| Grenada | Had a very minor industrial line | 308 |
| Guinea-Bissau | 624 | |
| Guyana | Had a number of public lines until the 1970s and industrial lines until around 2007 | 328 |
| Haiti | Rails still in Port-au-Prince from railway from factories to port, left out of service since the 1970s. | 332 |
| Iceland | Had short industrial lines, see Rail transport in Iceland for proposals | 352 |
| Jordan | Had passenger and freight lines, see Rail transport in Jordan | 400 |
| Kiribati | Had industrial lines | 296 |
| Rail transport in | Had from 1890 until 1970 (future projects to build a railway from Tyre to Tripoli) | 422 |
| Libya | 1912 to 1965 (peak length of 399 km); (network under construction in 2008–2011, but works stopped, see Libyan Railways) | 434 |
| Malta | Had a railway line from 1883 until 1931 (11 km) and a three line tramway network from 1905 until 1929 (circa 14 km) | 470 |
| Federated States of Micronesia | 583 | |
| Nicaragua | Suspended in September 2001 | 558 |
| Oman | Proposals as part of Gulf Railway. Has a short tourist line at the Al Hoota Cave. | 512 |
| Palau | Had an industrial line. Has a short tourist monorail (of small gauge) | 585 |
| Papua New Guinea | Had numerous plantation and mining railways, all closed by the early 1990s. Line from Lae to Vanimo proposed (see Transport in Papua New Guinea). | 598 |
| Rwanda | Had industrial lines, out of use since the 1990s. Lines to Uganda and/or Tanzania (see Isaka–Kigali Standard Gauge Railway) proposed | 646 |
| Saint Lucia | 662 | |
| Samoa | 882 | |
| San Marino | A short section (800 m) of the electric railway that linked Rimini (Italy) and San Marino City until 1944 has been restored. | 674 |
| Sao Tome | 678 | |
| Solomon Islands | Small railways used to transport bananas and copra, all closed by 1970. | 090 |
| Somalia | Mogadishu–Villabruzzi Railway existed from 1914 to 1941 | 706 |
| Suriname | 740 | |
| Tonga | 776 | |
| Trinidad and Tobago | Trinidad Government Railway from 1876 until 1968; Trinidad Rapid Railway was planned but cancelled | 780 |
| Vanuatu | Suggested to have had a line on [Efate](https://sinfin.net/railways/world/vanuatu.html) | 548 |
| Yemen | Had lines from the mountains to Aden and Al Hudaydah, all closed by 1929 | 887 |
Bermuda, a British overseas territory, had a railway operating from 1931 to 1948.
Never had a network
| Country | Comment | ISO 3166-1 |
|---|---|---|
| Andorra | There are proposals to construct a line | 020 |
| Bahrain | Proposed as part of Gulf Railway | 048 |
| Bhutan | A link to India is proposed | 064 |
| Chad | See Rail transport in Chad for proposals | 148 |
| East Timor | 626 | |
| Kuwait | Proposed as part of Gulf Railway | 414 |
| Maldives | 462 | |
| Marshall Islands | 584 | |
| Saint Vincent | 670 | |
| Seychelles | 690 | |
| Tuvalu | Planned but cancelled | 798 |
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