Measuring digital postal services
“The postal sector’s role in the digital economy and digital society – a global panorama” – 2025 edition
In our increasingly digital world, access to digital services and opportunities like e-commerce, e-government, digital financial services, and remote work and education are no longer a luxury. Digital engagement is becoming essential for full participation in society and the economy.
Despite these possibilities, digital divides between and within countries persist and around 2.6 billion people remain offline. Individuals living in rural and remote areas, women, the elderly, marginalized groups, micro-, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), and micro-entrepreneurs – are particularly digitally under-connected.
With over 650,000 post offices – most located in rural areas – the global postal network is the world’s most geographically extensive system of physical service contact points and the world’s most inclusive communications network.
This report shows that many Posts are already leveraging their infrastructure to provide digital services, fostering inclusion of marginalized populations and MSMEs, and contributing to bridging the digital divides at scale:
- 71% consider themselves providers of e-commerce services
- Over 70% offer at least one digital connectivity service
- 58% consider themselves providers of digital financial services
- 51% consider themselves providers of e-government services
- 11% consider themselves providers of digital health services
- 74% consider themselves providers of digital postal services
Webinar to launch the digital panorama report, 29 October 2025:
“The Postal Sector’s Role in the Digital Economy and Digital Society – A Global Panorama” report was officially launched in a webinar, organized by the UPU on 29 October 2025. The event featured reactions and presentations from leaders driving digital transformation worldwide and shaping the future of digital service delivery through the Posts.
Watch the webinar here.