Denmark has officially shut down its postal services, which had been running for four centuries. The country saw its last ever delivered letter on Tuesday. The reason behind this decision is that the government believes delivering physical mail is an economic burden on the nation, for which the 400-year-old state-run postal service has been closed, Hindustan Times reported.
The decline of PostNord
CNN reported that PostNord's central post office, opened in 1912, has long been a landmark in Copenhagen. Located next to the railway tracks near the city's main station, the red-brick building stands in the heart of the Danish capital and has become an instantly recognisable sight. At its peak, the building reflected the importance of Denmark's postal and telegraph network, which once played a key role in keeping people across the country connected.
Also Read | Pak Army chief Asim Munir's daughter marries in secretive ceremony at Pakistan Army HQ
The building has now been converted into a luxury hotel. With the advent of emails and apps like WhatsApp, Facebook, Instagram, etc., postal services in Denmark saw a sharp decline. The mailing service delivered more than 90 percent fewer letters in 2024 compared to 2000. However, PostNord will continue to deliver parcels
The end of red letterboxes
Denmark's red letterboxes had been an iconic symbol. After the closure of mailing services, PostNord will be removing all letterboxes across the country. PostNord has been removing 1,500 letterboxes from all over Denmark since June, CNN reported.
Also Read | Why 2025 feels more dangerous than any year before, according to BBC’s John Simpson
As one of the world's most digitally advanced countries, Denmark has moved much of its public services online, reducing the need for traditional mail. As a result, postal services have gradually lost their relevance.
However, advocacy groups have warned that this shift could create problems for older people, who still depend heavily on postal services for communication and access to essential information.
