Industry Statistics and Trends
Market size and recent performance (2015-2030)
Industry revenue has grown at a CAGR of 3.1 % over the past five years, to reach an estimated €74.8bn in 2025.
Trends and Insights
The industry continues to have considerable staffing problems
- The strong growth of online retail has led to a significant increase in turnover in the sector in recent years. This has been accompanied by an increased demand for staff, which industry players are finding difficult to meet. In April 2022, the average gross monthly earnings of full-time skilled workers in the sector were €2,719, around €700 below the average earnings of all skilled workers in the economy as a whole and therefore around 20% lower, according to a press release issued by the Federal Statistical Office in November 2023.
- Additional trends and insights available with purchase
Source: IBISWorld
Industry outlook (2025-2030)
Market size is projected to grow over the next five years.
Trends and Insights
The demand for OOH deliveries is likely to increase in future due to changing customer needs
- A study commissioned by the German Parcel and Express Logistics Association found that there were around 70,000 parcel shops, acceptance and sales points and around 17,000 parcel machines in Germany in 2024. Despite this nationwide infrastructure, the market share of out-of-home deliveries for B2C shipments was only 13% in 2022. In an international comparison, the use of such alternative delivery options therefore remains low.
Biggest companies in the Postal & Courier Activities in Germany
| Company | Market Share (%)
2025 | Revenue (€m)
2025 |
|---|---|---|
Deutsche Post AG | 24,307.6 | |
United Parcel Service Deutschland S. à r. l. & Co. OHG | 3,248.4 | |
DPD Deutschland GmbH | 2,391.4 |
To view the market share and analysis for all 6 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 Parcel services, Carriage of letters and Courier services. Parcel services is the largest segment of the Postal & Courier Activities in Germany.
Trends and Insights
Parcel shipping is becoming increasingly important
- Deliveries without guaranteed delivery times up to a maximum of 70 kilograms count as parcels.
- More insights available in the full report
Table of Contents
About this industry
Industry definition
The industry comprises postal services from universal service providers as well as other postal, courier and express services. The task of the industry players is the collection, collection, sorting, transport and delivery of letter post, parcels and packages. Delivery can be carried out using the company's own vehicles, but also by public transport. Local delivery and courier services that are active in the postal and parcel sector are also part of the industry.
What's included in this industry?
Products and services covered in the Postal & Courier Activities industry in Germany include Parcel services, Carriage of letters, Courier services and Express services.Companies
Companies covered in the Postal & Courier Activities industry in Germany include Deutsche Post AG, United Parcel Service Deutschland S. à r. l. & Co. OHG and DPD Deutschland GmbH.Purchase this report to view all 6 major companies in this industry.
Related Terms
Related terms covered in the Postal & Courier Activities industry in Germany include over-the-top services, contract logistics, package box and last million.Industry Code
WZ 53 - Postal & Courier Activities in Germany
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
The industry is suffering from a labour shortage. Strong sales growth and the increasing spread of online retail have led to a high demand for labour in the industry over the...
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 (2015-2024) and forecast (2025-2030)
- Employees, including historical (2015-2024) and forecast (2025-2030)
- Businesses, including historical (2015-2024) and forecast (2025-2030)
- Profit, including historical (2015-2025)
- 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
The largest group of shipped goods are clothing and shoes, followed by consumer and household electronics. Both product groups have developed positively in recent years and a...
In this chapter
- Products & Services
- Major Markets
Key metrics
- Largest market segment and value in 2025
- Product innovation level
Charts
- Products & services segmentation in 2025
- Major market segmentation in 2025
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
There is a particularly high demand for courier and messenger services in urban centres with a strong office sector, such as the Rhine-Main metropolitan region. The centre re...
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 2025
Tables
- Number and share of establishments in each region in 2025
- Number and share of revenue each region accounts for in 2025
- Number and share of wages each region accounts for in 2025
- Number and share of employees in each region in 2025
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
Since Deutsche Post had to open up its infrastructure to other companies, it has become easier for smaller providers to compete with the big market players. Nevertheless, the...
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 2020-2025
- 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
Deutsche Post currently operates around 27,000 branches or points of sale in Germany, but almost none of them are operated by the company itself. Many of them are integrated ...
In this chapter
- Market Share Concentration
- Companies
- Company Spotlights
Charts
- Industry market share by company in 2021 through 2025
- Major companies in the industry, including market share, revenue, profit and profit margin in 2025
- Overview of Deutsche Post AG's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2019 through 2025
- Overview of United Parcel Service Deutschland S. à r. l. & Co. OHG's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2019 through 2025
- Overview of DPD Deutschland GmbH's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2019 through 2025
- Overview of revenue, market share and profit margin trend for 3 additional companies
Detailed analysis
- Description and key data for Deutsche Post AG, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
- Description and key data for United Parcel Service Deutschland S. à r. l. & Co. OHG, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
- Description and key data for DPD Deutschland GmbH, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
- Description, key data and performance trends for 3 additional companies
External Environment
Understand the demographic, economic and regulatory factors that shape how businesses in an industry perform.
Analyst insights
Many competitors counter Deutsche Post's market power by organising themselves in their own industry associations. For example, there is the Federal Association of Courier-Ex...
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 (2015-2030)
- Assistance historical data and forecast (2015-2030)
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
The increased demand for parcel services due to growing online trade is supporting the industry's profit margin. However, the profit margin is likely to fall again slightly t...
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 2025
- Average sector operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2025
- Investment vs. share of economy
Data tables
- Cash Flow & Debt Service Ratios (2015-2030)
- Revenue per Employee (2015-2030)
- Revenue per Enterprise (2015-2030)
- Employees per Establishment (2015-2030)
- Employees per Enterprise (2015-2030)
- Average Wage (2015-2030)
- Wages/Revenue (2015-2030)
- Establishments per Enterprise (2015-2030)
- IVA/Revenue (2015-2030)
- Imports/Demand (2015-2030)
- Exports/Revenue (2015-2030)
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 (2015-2030)
- IVA (2015-2030)
- Establishments (2015-2030)
- Enterprises (2015-2030)
- Employment (2015-2030)
- Exports (2015-2030)
- Imports (2015-2030)
- Wages (2015-2030)
Top Questions Answered
Unlock comprehensive answers and precise data upon purchase. View purchase options.
What is the market size of the Postal & Courier Activities industry in Germany in 2025?
The market size of the Postal & Courier Activities industry in Germany is €74.8bn in 2025.
How many businesses are there in the Postal & Courier Activities industry in Germany in 2025?
There are 16,577 businesses in the Postal & Courier Activities industry in Germany, which has grown at a CAGR of 3.5 % between 2020 and 2025.
How may import tariffs affect the Postal & Courier Activities industry in Germany?
The Postal & Courier Activities industry in Germany 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 Postal & Courier Activities industry in Germany?
The Postal & Courier Activities industry in Germany is unlikely to be materially impacted by export tariffs with exports accounting for a low share of industry revenue.
Has the Postal & Courier Activities industry in Germany grown or declined over the past 5 years?
The market size of the Postal & Courier Activities industry in Germany has been growing at a CAGR of 3.1 % between 2020 and 2025.
What is the forecast growth of the Postal & Courier Activities industry in Germany over the next 5 years?
Over the next five years, the Postal & Courier Activities industry in Germany is expected to grow.
What are the biggest companies in the Postal & Courier Activities industry in Germany?
The biggest companies operating in the Postal & Courier Activities industry in Germany are Deutsche Post AG, United Parcel Service Deutschland S. à r. l. & Co. OHG and DPD Deutschland GmbH
What does the Postal & Courier Activities industry in Germany include?
Parcel services and Carriage of letters are part of the Postal & Courier Activities industry in Germany.
Which companies have the highest market share in the Postal & Courier Activities industry in Germany?
The company holding the most market share in the Postal & Courier Activities industry in Germany is Deutsche Post AG.
How competitive is the Postal & Courier Activities industry in Germany?
The level of competition is high and increasing in the Postal & Courier Activities industry in Germany.
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 Germany include:
- German Federal Statistics Office (Destatis)
- European Statistics Office (Eurostat)
- United Nations Comtrade
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.
Learn more about our methodology and data sourcing on the Help Center.
