Domestic and international mail and parcel volumes continue to grow, despite predictions that they would decline because of the advance of electronic commerce, according to the Universal Postal Union.
Some 6.5 billion items were sent last year, the United Nations agency said.
Domestic parcel volumes increased by nearly 8% while international volumes rose by 1%, a result the UPU said could be connected to e-commerce, with the majority of online purchases still remaining within national borders, the UPU said.
UPU Director General Edouard Dayan acknowledged postal services’ contribution to economic and social development.
“Owing to their universality, postal services provide a link between people all over the globe,” said UPU director general Edouard Dayan, in a statement. “This is especially important at a time when millions of people do not enjoy the right to communication. In a constantly changing world, postal services make it possible to establish and maintain this contact and this link, both of which are vital.”
