Bright red mailboxes, once a familiar sight on Danish streets, are quickly disappearing. That’s because Denmark’s state-run postal service, PostNord, has stopped delivering letters. The final letters were delivered on Dec. 30, ending a tradition that began more than 400 years ago.
PostNord says the decision reflects the increasing digitalization of Danish society. With the country adopting a national digital ID system, nearly all official and private communications are sent online. According to PostNord, the number of letters mailed has dropped by more than 90% since 2000. Today, the average Dane receives only about one letter a month. Meanwhile, online shopping is booming, so the postal service will continue delivering packages.
Danes can still send letters through the delivery company Dao, but customers must either drop off their mail at a Dao shop or pay an extra pickup fee. The change has raised several concerns, however, especially among the elderly population who rely on physical mail for hospital appointments and home care notices.
Denmark is the first European country to end state-run letter delivery. And it may not be the last, as postal services worldwide face similar challenges.