- Printing & Reproduction of Recorded Media recorded 225 cessations against 108 formations over the latest 12 months, equal to 208.3 cessations per 100 formations
- Postal & Courier Activities ranked second with 164.4 cessations per 100 formations, followed by Land Transport & Transport via Pipelines at 149.5
- The 10 hardest industries averaged 146.7 cessations per 100 formations, compared with 85.1 across all business entities nationally
SINGAPORE — A new study by DPHK Consulting has identified Printing & Reproduction of Recorded Media as Singapore’s hardest industry to survive in, after it recorded the highest number of business cessations per 100 formations over the latest 12 months available.
The business-to-business (B2B) lead generation firm analysed business entity formation and cessation data from the Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority (ACRA), covering the period from June 2025 to May 2026, and ranked detailed industries by cessations per 100 formations. A higher score indicates more businesses closing relative to new businesses being created, signalling a tougher survival environment.
Printing & Reproduction of Recorded Media recorded 225 cessations and 108 formations during the 12-month period, equal to 208.3 cessations per 100 formations. Postal & Courier Activities ranked second at 164.4, followed by Land Transport & Transport via Pipelines at 149.5.
This places the highest-ranked industries, which averaged 146.7 cessations per 100 formations, well above the national benchmark of 85.1 cessations per 100 formations.
“The ranking points to significant churn in some parts of Singapore’s business landscape, particularly in print-related manufacturing, delivery, transport, retail and selected training services," said a DPHK Consulting spokesperson. “While the data does not identify the reasons behind each closure, industries at the top of the ranking are likely facing a mix of changing customer behaviour, cost pressures, digital substitution and intense competition.”
10 Hardest Industries in Singapore to Survive In
| Rank | Industry | Formations (Jun 2025-May 2026) |
Cessations (Jun 2025-May 2026) |
Cessations per 100 formations |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Printing & Reproduction of Recorded Media | 108 | 225 | 208.3 |
| #2 | Postal & Courier Activities | 219 | 360 | 164.4 |
| #3 | Land Transport & Transport via Pipelines | 1,036 | 1,549 | 149.5 |
| #4 | Optical Goods & Books | 124 | 180 | 145.2 |
| #5 | Wearing Apparel & Footwear | 1,373 | 1,933 | 140.8 |
| #6 | Telecommunications | 115 | 160 | 139.1 |
| #7 | Fabricated Metal Products Manufacturing | 140 | 187 | 133.6 |
| #8 | Training Courses N.E.C. | 643 | 843 | 131.1 |
| #9 | Furniture Manufacturing | 121 | 156 | 128.9 |
| #10 | Other Transport Equipment Manufacturing | 152 | 191 | 125.7 |
Methodology:
- DPHK Consulting analysed Singapore business entity formation and cessation data by detailed industry for the latest 12 months available, from June 2025 to May 2026.
- Industries were ranked by cessations per 100 formations, calculated as 12-month cessations divided by 12-month formations, multiplied by 100. A 12-month period was used to reduce month-to-month volatility.
- Only detailed industries with at least 100 formations during the period were included. Broad aggregate categories and umbrella groupings were excluded.
- The ranking measures industry churn and is not a cohort survival rate, as it does not track individual businesses over time.
Sources:
- “Formation Of All Business Entities By Detailed Industry, Monthly.” Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority, via SingStat Table Builder. Last updated June 11, 2026. https://tablebuilder.
singstat.gov.sg/table/TS/ M085831. - “Cessation Of All Business Entities By Detailed Industry, Monthly.” Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority, via SingStat Table Builder. Last updated June 11, 2026. https://tablebuilder.
singstat.gov.sg/table/TS/ M085841.
