Denmark's national postal service is preparing to deliver its final letter, marking the end of a tradition that has lasted for more than four centuries. The historic change, driven by the relentless rise of digital communication, will see the last letters delivered by PostNord on 30 December 2024.
The End of an Era for Physical Post
PostNord, formed in 2009 from a merger of the Swedish and Danish postal services, announced the landmark decision earlier this year. The company cited the "increasing digitalisation" of Danish society as the primary reason, noting that demand for letters has "fallen drastically" while parcel delivery for online shopping continues to grow. As a result, the service will cut 1,500 jobs in Denmark and remove 1,500 of its iconic red postboxes from streets across the country.
The distinctive postboxes have already proven to be popular collector's items. When they went on sale earlier this month, 1,000 units were sold in just three hours. Prices were set at 2,000 DKK (approximately £235) for boxes in good condition and 1,500 DKK (around £176) for more worn examples. A further 200 boxes will be auctioned in January 2025.
What Happens Next for Sending Mail?
Danes will still be able to send letters, but the service will be operated by the delivery company Dao. From 1 January 2025, Dao will significantly expand its operations, aiming to handle about 80 million letters next year, up from 30 million in 2025. However, the process will change: customers will need to take letters to a Dao shop or pay extra for collection from their home. Postage must be paid online or via an app.
For those holding unused Danish stamps, PostNord has announced a limited-time refund scheme. The company will continue to deliver letters in Sweden, but its Danish letter operations will cease entirely.
A Digital Nation's Sentimental Shift
The decline of physical mail in Denmark has been precipitous. Over the last 25 years, letter-sending has fallen by more than 90%. This shift is underpinned by national systems like MitID, Denmark's digital ID used for banking, official documents, and medical appointments. Under this scheme, 97% of the population aged 15 and over is enrolled, and official communications are sent via "digital post". Only 5% have opted to receive physical mail instead.
Kim Pedersen, Deputy Chief Executive of PostNord Denmark, called it a "difficult decision to tie the knot" on 400 years of history. He stated the letter market is "no longer profitable" due to the dramatic decline.
Despite the overall trend, there is evidence of a minor resurgence in letter-writing among younger generations. Delivery firm Dao found that 18- to 34-year-olds send two to three times as many letters as other age groups. Trend researcher Mads Arlien-Søborg suggests this is a "conscious choice" by young people seeking a counterbalance to digital overload.
Magnus Restofte, director of Copenhagen's Enigma postal museum, noted the public has been "quite pragmatic" about the change, as few receive physical letters anymore. He observed that the scarcity has increased their perceived value: "The funny thing is that actually receiving a physical letter, the value of that is extremely high."
Danish law mandates that a letter-sending option must exist, ensuring service continuity even if Dao were to stop. A source close to the transport ministry insisted the change would have little "practical difference", with any significance being purely "sentimental". However, Restofte warned of an irreversible finality, noting that if digital systems failed, "It's actually quite difficult to turn back [to physical post]. We can't go back to what it was."
