Denmark to End Centuries-Old Letter Delivery Service by 2025

PostNord's decision to cease letter deliveries marks the end of an era as digital communication dominates.

In a significant move marking the end of an era, Denmark's state-run postal service, PostNord, will halt all letter deliveries by the conclusion of 2025. This decision comes as a response to an alarming 90% decline in letter volumes since the beginning of the 21st century. Having provided letter services since 1624, this historic shift will see the gradual removal of Denmark's 1,500 postboxes starting this June.

Transport Minister Thomas Danielsen attempted to alleviate concerns, assuring citizens that while physical letter service will terminate, mailing options will still be available nationwide, with a private firm expressing interest in taking over operations. Similar challenges plague postal services across Europe, as demonstrated by Germany's Deutsche Post announcing the layoff of 8,000 employees in a bid to adapt to declining letter use.

The shift in consumer behavior towards digital communication has rendered traditional mail less viable, with Denmark witnessing a drop in letter volumes from 1.4 billion at the start of the century to just 110 million last year. While a substantial 95% of Danes utilize the Digital Post service, approximately 271,000 individuals still depend on traditional mail, raising concerns for those, particularly elderly citizens, living in remote areas.

Danish MP Pelle Dragsted criticized the privatization process, attributing the decision's repercussions to reduced service levels for sparsely populated regions. The impending changes mean about 1,500 of PostNord’s 4,600 employees will lose their jobs as the company pivots towards parcel delivery services. Chief executive Kim Pedersen highlighted a marked shift towards digital communication, with letter volumes plummeting by as much as 30% in just the past year. Notably, PostNord also operates in Sweden, with ownership shared between Denmark (40%) and Sweden (60%).