At present, 20 countries already operate high-speed railways. This includes 12 European countries, as well as Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, China, Indonesia, Uzbekistan, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey. Egypt should open its first line this summer. India and Thailand will follow next year.
In the United States, only the line between New York and Philadelphia qualifies as high-speed rail as it's the only section that exceeds speeds of 250 km/h (about 155 mph). The first proper high-speed railway in the US should be the California High-Speed Rail, due to open around 2033. Canada is also planning a line between Quebec and Toronto, but that won't be fully operational until 2043.
China has become the uncontested leader in the sector. Nearly 70% of the world's high-speed railways are in China (in terms of built length). That's really quite impressive, especially since they build all of it in the last 15 years or so - less time than it will take to build the Toronto-Quebec line alone!
India is also investing a lot in high-speed railways. The trains will be the E3 and E5 Shinkansen manufactured by Japanese companies (Hitachi and Kawasaki). The first line should open in 2026.
Here is a summary table of all the high-speed railways already built or being built in developing countries, with the maximum speed and the country providing the trains.
In the United States, only the line between New York and Philadelphia qualifies as high-speed rail as it's the only section that exceeds speeds of 250 km/h (about 155 mph). The first proper high-speed railway in the US should be the California High-Speed Rail, due to open around 2033. Canada is also planning a line between Quebec and Toronto, but that won't be fully operational until 2043.
China has become the uncontested leader in the sector. Nearly 70% of the world's high-speed railways are in China (in terms of built length). That's really quite impressive, especially since they build all of it in the last 15 years or so - less time than it will take to build the Toronto-Quebec line alone!
India is also investing a lot in high-speed railways. The trains will be the E3 and E5 Shinkansen manufactured by Japanese companies (Hitachi and Kawasaki). The first line should open in 2026.
Here is a summary table of all the high-speed railways already built or being built in developing countries, with the maximum speed and the country providing the trains.
| Country | Planned Opening Date | Max Speed (km/h) | Train Supplier(s) / Expected Supplier(s) |
|---|---|---|---|
| China | Operational since 2008 | 350 | CRRC (China) |
| Turkey | 2009 | 250 | Siemens (Germany) |
| Uzbekistan | 2011 | 250 | Talgo (Spain), Hyundai Rotem (South Korea) |
| Saudi Arabia | 2018 | 300 | Talgo (Spain) |
| Morocco | 2018 | 320 | Alstom (France) |
| Indonesia | 2023 | 350 | CRRC (China) |
| Egypt | partial in 2025; full by 2027 | 250 | Siemens (Germany) |
| India | 2026 (Phase 1) | 320 | Hitachi and Kawasaki (Japan) |
| Thailand | 2026 (Phase 1) | 250 | CRRC (China), Türasaş (Turkey), Thai companies |
| Iran | Delayed, earliest 2026+ | 300 (planned) | CREC (China), Siemens (Germany), Italferr (Italy) |
| Peru | 2031 (planned) | 200 (planned) | Likely CRRC (China), not officially confirmed |
| Brazil | 2032 (planned) | 350 (planned) | TBD (interest from Japan, China, France, Germany, Spain) |
| Vietnam | 2032 (priority sections) | 320 (planned) | TBD (likely international, local rails by Hoa Phat) |
| Malaysia | Earliest 2030s (if revived) | 320 (planned) | TBD (previously CRRC, Japanese, European considered) |
| Mexico | No set date (feasibility) | 300 (planned) | TBD (originally CRCC/China, now undecided) |
| Argentina | On hold | 320 (planned) | TBD (no HSR contract; CRRC for light rail) |
Last edited:
