Denmark postal service to stop delivering letters

Denmark's postal service, known as PostNord, has announced that it will cease all letter deliveries by the end of 2025. This decision marks the end of a 400-year tradition of letter delivery in Denmark, which began in 1624. The primary reason for this significant change is the dramatic decline in the volume of letters being sent, with a staggering 90% drop since the beginning of the 21st century. As a result, PostNord will begin removing its 1,500 red post boxes starting in June. Transport Minister Thomas Danielsen has reassured the Danish public that letters will still be sent and received, as there will be a free market for both letters and parcels. This means that while PostNord will no longer deliver letters, other companies will still be able to provide this service. The decline in letter volumes is not unique to Denmark; postal services across Europe are facing similar challenges. For instance, Germany's Deutsche Post recently announced it would be cutting 8,000 jobs due to the same issue. With a workforce of 187,000, there are concerns among employees that further job cuts may be on the horizon. Denmark has maintained a universal postal service for 400 years, but the rise of digital communication has led to a significant reduction in the use of traditional mail. The number of letters sent in Denmark has plummeted from 1. 4 billion in 2000 to just 110 million last year. This decline has raised concerns among postal workers and the public alike. Anders Raun Mikkelsen, an employee at PostNord, expressed his sadness about the situation, stating, 'It's a super sad day. Not just for our department, but for the 1,500 who face an uncertain future. ' This sentiment reflects the anxiety felt by many workers who may lose their jobs as a result of this decision. Denmark is recognized as one of the most digitalized countries in the world, with many people relying on technology for everyday tasks. Cash is rarely used, and Danes often store their driver's licenses and health cards on their smartphones. Important documents such as bank statements, bills, and communications from local authorities are now sent electronically. Public services have adopted a Digital Post app and other platforms for communication, leading PostNord to conclude that the letter market is no longer profitable. The company has faced financial difficulties for several years, and last year it reported a deficit. The decision to end letter deliveries will have the most significant impact on elderly individuals. Although 95% of Danes utilize the Digital Post service, approximately 271,000 people still depend on receiving physical mail. Marlene Rishoj Cordes from Aeldre Sagen, an organization representing older citizens, highlighted the importance of regular letter deliveries for many individuals, stating, 'There are many who are very dependent on letters being delivered regularly. These include hospital appointments, vaccinations or decisions regarding home care. ' This underscores the challenges that some people will face as letter deliveries come to an end. Some politicians have criticized the decision, with Danish MP Pelle Dragsted attributing the move to privatization and expressing concern that it will disadvantage residents in remote areas. The introduction of a new Postal Act in 2024 will open the letter market to competition from private firms, and mail will no longer be exempt from VAT, resulting in higher postage costs. Kim Pedersen, the Managing Director of PostNord Denmark, explained, 'When a letter costs 29 Danish krone, there will be fewer letters. ' He noted that the shift towards digital communication has been so pronounced that letter volumes have decreased by as much as 30% in the past year alone. In light of these changes, PostNord plans to focus more on parcel deliveries rather than letters. The company also stated that any postage stamps purchased this year or in 2024 will still be valid for use. It is worth mentioning that PostNord also operates in Sweden and is partially owned by both Danish and Swedish stakeholders.