Couriers and Express Delivery Services — Business Survival Rate
An estimated 33% of couriers and express delivery services businesses survive their first 5 years, based on U.S. Census Bureau Business Dynamics Statistics. The annual business closure rate is 20.0%.
Is Couriers and Express Delivery a Good Business to Start?
With a 33% five-year survival rate, couriers and express delivery services has a below-average survival rate compared to the national average of ~50%. This indicates higher risk of failure — new entrants face significant competitive pressure or challenging economics.
The annual exit rate of 20.0% is elevated. If you're considering entering this industry, ensure adequate capitalization, a clear competitive advantage, and realistic timeline to profitability.
Entry vs. Exit Rates
Annual rate of new businesses opening versus existing businesses closing.
Net negative: more businesses closing than opening (-7.6 pp spread).
Job Creation & Destruction
The industry is losing jobs faster than creating them — which may indicate automation, consolidation, or declining demand. Total employment: 1,024,407 workers across 5,436 firms.
Want to know how much couriers and express delivery services businesses actually make?
See full revenue benchmarks for Couriers and Express Delivery Services →Frequently Asked Questions
- What percentage of couriers and express delivery services businesses fail?
- Approximately 67% of couriers and express delivery services businesses fail within their first 5 years. The annual closure rate is 20.0%, with 646 firms closing permanently in 2023.
- Is the couriers and express delivery services industry growing or shrinking?
- The couriers and express delivery services industry is currently shrinking with a net job creation rate of -3.0% per year. New businesses are entering at 12.4% while 20.0% close annually.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Business Dynamics Statistics (2023). Survival rate estimated from annual exit rates.