The table compares the four highest ranking countries (Malaysia, Canada, China and UAE) in terms of rail transport using by people, the typical passenger kilometres travelled per person, and the amount of cargo carried in 2007. Overall, China dominates rail transport in both passenger usage and the volume of freight transported.
By contrast, Canada records by far the fewest rail users, although it carries the greatest amount of cargo. Malaysia and the UAE show similar patterns, with moderate passenger use and relatively lower freight volumes.
In terms of passenger numbers, China has the highest figure at 27 million rail users, which is almost five times that of both Malaysia (5.9 million) and the UAE (5.5 million). Canada ranks last, with only 0.3 million people using rail transport. A similar pattern is evident in passenger kilometres per person. China records the highest figure at 1,980 km, while the UAE and Malaysia are much lower at 780 km and 770 k, respectively. Canada has the lowest average at only 80 km.
As for freight, Canada transports the largest amount of cargo, at 28.20 billion tonnes, followed by China with 23.01 billion tonnes. Malaysia and the UAE carry slightly less, at 22.2 billion and 21.9 billion tonnes, respectively.