PostNord to End Letter Deliveries by 2025 After 400 Years.
Denmark's state-run postal service, PostNord, will officially cease all letter deliveries by the end of 2025, marking the end of 400 years of traditional postal service. The company cited a staggering 90% decline in letter volumes since the early 2000s as the primary reason behind this historic decision.
Declining Letter Volumes and Digital Shift
PostNord’s decision comes as letter volumes in Denmark have plummeted from 1.4 billion in 2000 to just 110 million last year. With digital communication services on the rise, such as the popular Digital Post app, which 95% of Danes use, the need for physical mail has sharply declined. Public services now predominantly communicate via digital platforms, further reducing the demand for traditional mail.
400 Years of Postal History Comes to an End
The move will end 400 years of delivering letters in Denmark, which will see its 1,500 postboxes begin to disappear from June 2024. Despite this shift, Transport Minister Thomas Danielsen reassured citizens that mail can still be sent and received across the country, with a private company potentially taking over the letter delivery services.
Job Losses and Privatization Criticism
As part of the transformation, PostNord will lay off approximately 1,500 workers, out of a total workforce of 4,600. The move has drawn criticism, particularly from Danish MP Pelle Dragsted, who blamed privatization for the closure of traditional mail services. Dragsted voiced concern that the decision would disproportionately affect people living in remote areas, as they are more reliant on physical mail.
The Future of PostNord
While PostNord will discontinue letter deliveries, it plans to focus its efforts on parcel deliveries, which have seen a rise due to the increase in online shopping. The company also stated that stamps bought in 2024 or 2025 could be refunded for a limited period in 2026.
Similar Postal Service Struggles Across Europe
Denmark is not alone in facing challenges with its postal service. Deutsche Post, Germany’s postal service, recently announced the loss of 8,000 jobs in response to declining letter volumes. As digital communication and e-commerce continue to dominate, traditional postal services across Europe are grappling with significant restructuring.
With a continued decline in letter volumes and a growing digital shift, Denmark’s PostNord joins a global trend in transitioning from traditional letter services to more digital and parcel-based offerings. The next few years will determine how PostNord adapts, and whether other European countries will follow suit.
