9+ Key 3PL Statistics & Numbers (Must Know in 2024)

Third-party logistics (3PL) services are crucial for many businesses’ supply chain management. But how important are they in today’s market? 

With that in mind, we’ll cover key 3PL statistics that show how important and influential they are.

3PL Statistics: Key Numbers

• The global 3PL market is valued at $1.19 trillion in 2023.
• The global 3PL market is expected to grow $2.43 trillion by 2032, a 104% increase in a decade.

• The U.S. third-party logistics (3PL) market grew 18.25% to $405.5 billion in 2022.
• The U.S. 3PL market is expected to grow at an average annual rate of 8.15% over the next decade.

• 92% of 3PL providers serve the retail market.
• 84% of 3PLs find artificial intelligence and machine learning impactful.
• 28% of 3PLs find blockchain technology impactful.
• Over 60% of 3PLs struggle with technology investment, making it the industry’s biggest issue.

Source: (Precedence Research, Statista, InboundLogistics)

3PL Market Size

The 3PL market is on a steady rise, with big growth expected in the next few years. Here’s a quick look at how the market size is shaping up year by year:

Year	Market Size (in Trillions)
2022	$1.1
2023	$1.19
2024	$1.29
2025	$1.4
2026	$1.51
2027	$1.63
2028	$1.77
2029	$1.92
2030	$2.07
2031	$2.24
2032	$2.43

Source: Precedence Research

3PL Market Growth Rate

The 3PL market is steadily expanding, with annual growth rates varying over the next decade. Here’s how the projected growth rates look year after year:

Year	3PL Market Growth Rate (%)
2023	8.18%
2024	8.40%
2025	8.53%
2026	7.86%
2027	7.95%
2028	8.59%
2029	8.47%
2030	7.81%
2031	8.21%
2032	8.48%

Source: Contimod, Precedence Research

U.S. third-party logistics (3PL) market Size

The U.S. third-party logistics market has been growing fast, with revenue climbing year after year. Here’s a breakdown of how things have changed over the years:

Year	Revenue (in billions )	Market Growth Rate (%)
2010	127.5	N/A
2011	135.5	6.27
2012	142	4.80
2013	147	3.52
2014	157.8	7.35
2015	161.2	2.15
2016	166.8	3.47
2017	184.3	10.49
2018	213.5	15.84
2019	212.8	-0.33
2020	231.5	8.79
2021	342.5	48.06
2022	405.5	18.25

Source: Statista

Markets Served by 3PL

3PL services are everywhere, from retail to e-commerce. Here’s a quick look at the industries making the most of them:

• Retail: 92%
• Transport Sector: 90%
• Manufacturing: 86%
• Wholesale: 83%
• E-Commerce.: 74
• Services: 54%

Source: InboundLogistics

Top Challenges 3PLs Face

Three-party logistics (3PLs) have to deal with many problems, such as investing in technology and keeping workers. Here’s an overview of the most pressing issues they face:

• 66% face challenges with technology investment.
• 62% struggle with rising operational costs and access to capital.
• 59% have difficulty finding, training, and retaining qualified labor.
• 46% are concerned with capacity issues.
• 38% deal with corporate social responsibility and sustainability.
• 33% have challenges finding and retaining customers.
• 32% encounter compliance and regulation issues.
• 30% face difficulties in growth management.

Source: InboundLogistics

Top Reasons For Failed 3PL Partnerships

3PL partnerships can fall apart for many reasons, such as bad service, unmet expectations, and cost problems. Here’s a quick rundown of why things go wrong:

• 60% of failed partnerships are due to poor customer service.
• 17% of failures are caused by unmet expectations.
• 11% of partnerships fail because of cost issues.
• 7% of shippers choose more competitive options.
• 4% of failures are due to loss of control.
• 1% of failures are due to cultural dissimilarities.

Source: InboundLogistics

Strategies shippers and 3PLs use to manage challenges

To deal with logistical challenges, shippers and 3PLs are upping their game with strategies such as network optimization and lean practices. Here’s what they’re doing:

• 56% use DC network optimization and realignment.
• 53% employ nearshoring or reshoring.
• 52% utilize strategic sourcing strategies.
• 51% focus on supply chain design.
• 46% form 4PL/LLP partnerships.
• 45% rely on managed technology services.
• 44% implement lean best practices.
• 41% adopt intermodal transportation.

Source: InboundLogistics

Most Impactful Technologies for 3PL

3PLs are relying heavily on tech like AI and IoT. Check out which ones are having the most impact:

• 84% of 3PLs find artificial intelligence and machine learning impactful.
• 44% of 3PLs see autonomous vehicles as impactful.
• 40% of 3PLs consider the Internet of Things (IoT) and Industrial IoT impactful.
• 28% of 3PLs find blockchain technology impactful.
• 23% of 3PLs see wearable technology as impactful.
• 21% of 3PLs consider embedded sensors impactful.
• 18% of 3PLs find drones impactful.
• 8% of 3PLs see virtual reality as impactful.

Source: InboundLogistics