Denmark Post has officially ended letter delivery after over 400 years of service, following a sharp decline in mail volume caused by the arrival of the digital age.
Foreign news agencies report that Denmark Post officially ceased letter delivery service on Tuesday, 30 Dec 2025, after providing the service for 401 years. The cause was the advent of the digital era, which rapidly reduced letter sending.
This move makes Denmark the first country in the world to decide that paper letters are no longer necessary or economically viable.
"Over the past 20 years, we have seen a significant decline in letter volumes in Denmark. Most of our communication today is electronic," said Isabella Beck Jorgensen, Head of Public Relations at PostNord, Denmark Post, in an interview with ABC News.
"We are one of the most digitally advanced countries in the world."
Meanwhile, the number of letters sent in Denmark has dropped by 90% over the past 25 years. In 2000, PostNord sent nearly 1.5 billion letters, but by 2024, the volume had fallen to just 110 million.
As letter volume decreased, stamp prices soared. Currently, sending a standard letter within Denmark costs 29.11 kroner (about 230 baht).
PostNord said this decision was "difficult" but necessary, resulting in about 1,500 job cuts, roughly one-third of all employees.
PostNord also stated that the company will now focus solely on parcel delivery services, which remain profitable and continue to grow annually due to the expansion of online shopping.
"The whole world is watching right now, and I believe postal companies and other service providers are paying close attention to the decision we have made," Jorgensen said. "In fact, the Danish public largely understands this because most people can’t remember the last time they sent a letter themselves."
However, not everyone agrees with this decision. Some advocacy groups warn that a rapid shift to digital could leave elderly people and those in remote areas behind.
"There are still many people who rely on regular letter delivery," Marlene Richoy Cordes from the DaneAge group told Danish TV station TV2. "These letters include hospital appointment notices, vaccination reminders, and home care decision documents."
Since June, PostNord has begun gradually removing the iconic 1,500 red mailboxes nationwide. The first 1,000 mailboxes were sold for charity within just three hours at about $472 (approximately 16,000 baht) each. The remaining boxes will be displayed in museums.
"There has been enormous interest with hundreds of thousands of people trying to buy mailboxes when we opened sales, and we will auction another 200 boxes next year," Jorgensen said.
However, PostNord will continue to provide letter delivery to neighboring countries such as Sweden, where digital adoption is less advanced.
Danish people can still send love letters or Christmas cards in 2026, but only through private companies. They must drop off mail at stores or pay extra for home pickup, which can be scheduled online or via an app.
By law, Danes must always have the ability to send letters. If private companies stop providing the service, the government must arrange a new provider.
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Source:abc