Postal Services Market Size, Share and Trends 2024 to 2034

Postal Services Market Size and Forecast 2024 to 2034

The global postal services market size is worth around USD 249.37 billion in 2024 and is anticipated to reach around USD 287.41 billion by 2034, growing at a CAGR of 1.43% from 2024 to 2034. The postal services market growth is attributed to the increasing demand for faster and more efficient delivery solutions.

Postal Services Market Key Takeaways

• North America dominated the global market with the largest market share of 37% in 2023.
• Asia Pacific is anticipated to grow at the fastest CAGR during the forecast period.
• By type, the standard segment contributed the highest market share of 76% in 2023.
• By type, the express segment is expected to grow at the fastest CAGR during the forecast period.
• By service, the shipping and package services segment captured the biggest market share in 2023.
• By service, the first-class mail segment is anticipated to grow with a significant CAGR from 2024 to 2034.
• By destination, 2023, the domestic segment generated the major market share in 2023.
• By destination, the international segment is projected to expand rapidly during the forecast period.

Impact of Artificial Intelligence on the Global Postal Services Market

Artificial intelligence is facilitating the postal services market by providing a new tool that improves the speed and accuracy of functioning. Automated means ensuring that delivery routes are efficient and that transit time and fuel costs are minimized. Demand forecasting is improved by predictive analytics as postal companies deal with the management of resources. Computer programs improve efficiency in sorting through packages and optimize procedures necessary to manage many packages. Chatbots and virtual assistants enhance customer relations since they offer real-time tracking information and respond to queries on motor vehicle tracking systems promptly.

U.S. Postal Services Market Size and Growth 2024 to 2034

The U.S. postal services market size is exhibited at USD 64.59 billion in 2024 and is projected to be worth around USD 75.98 billion by 2034, growing at a CAGR of 1.62% from 2024 to 2034.

North America dominated the global postal services market in 2023. USPS, UPS, and FedEx private carriers have also been experiencing a rise in revenue out of parcels, especially with the coronavirus outbreak. North American area is expected to sustain growth, particularly as the commercial industry rolls out sustainable delivery models, including electric cars and drones. Additionally, the growth of the urban micro-fulfillment canters, including the increase in delivery availability times.

• Quantitative analysis of data from the U.S. Department of Commerce pointed to an upswing with a 15% rise in parcel shipments from the previous year.

Asia Pacific is projected to host the fastest-growing postal services market in the coming years, owing to the increasing spending on internet-based purchases and enhancing infrastructure in some of the major international countries, including China, India, Japan, and South Korea. The growth of internet use and access to smartphones increased the opportunities for online buying, which affected the needs of the postal services, particularly on parcel delivery. Rising cross-border e-commerce in countries such as China, which is among the world’s largest exporters, has also facilitated the postal services sector. Furthermore, the middle-income class is rising, and the adoption of technologically integrated supply chain solutions is rising.

Market Overview

Growing e-commerce is expected to facilitate the global postal services market in the coming years. Factors such as an increase in e-commerce activity, especially in countries including China, India, and the U.S., have made the post services adopt measures that meet the need for efficiency in last-mile delivery. Moreover, shorter final delivery is achieved through smart technologies, including drones and self-driving vehicles.

• A report by the International Post Corporation (IPC) in 2023 highlighted that the parcel market has witnessed an increase of 15% in volume compared to the years before the emergence of online shopping.
• The UNCTAD report for the year 2024 has predicted a growth of over 20% in e-commerce sales throughout the world.

Postal Services Market Growth Factors

• Rising demand for e-commerce shipments: The continuous growth of online retail is driving the demand for faster and more reliable postal services, especially for parcel deliveries.
• Technological advancements in logistics: Innovations in automation, such as robotics and drones, are enhancing operational efficiency and delivery speeds across the sector.
• Integration of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML): AI-driven predictive analytics are expected to streamline route planning, inventory management, and customer service, contributing to market growth.
• Expanding cross-border trade: Increasing global trade, particularly in emerging markets, is fuelling demand for international postal services, especially for e-commerce.
• Investments in sustainable practices: Postal companies are embracing green logistics solutions, such as electric delivery vehicles and eco-friendly packaging, to meet consumer demand for sustainable practices.
• Government policies supporting digital transformation: Government initiatives that promote digitalization, especially in emerging markets, are expected to boost the postal services market.
• Increasing adoption of mobile payment systems: The growing preference for digital payment methods is driving the need for more secure and efficient postal services for transactions and deliveries.

Market Scope

Market Dynamics

Driver

Increasing e-commerce activities

Increasing e-commerce activities are projected to drive growth within the postal services market. E-commerce business is expected to grow tremendously in 2023 and 2024 as more and more consumers shift towards online shopping and improved delivery. The UPU points out that postal networks delivered unprecedented parcel traffic last year, demonstrating an increasing dependence on the last-mile delivery infrastructure.

• As per the U.S. Census Bureau, the e-commerce retail selling at the same time in the U.S. was up to 9.8% in Q1 of 2023 and was consistently on a rising slope from the previous years.

Furthermore, the WEF states that omnichannel initiatives, such as hybrid delivery methods, are changing the supply chain since e-commerce ecosystems adjust to high customer demand. The growing e-commerce trend in the period of 2020-2024 is further propelling the postal services market in the coming years.

Restraint

Increasing operational costs

Rising operational costs are anticipated to hamper the growth of the postal services market. The cost of labor has been pushed high, especially in developed countries, due to efforts applied by delivery firms to retain employees due to increased wage expectations. The adoption of hi-tech features, such as automation and real-time tracking while enhancing the performance, exacts high set-up costs as well as charging high maintenance. Additionally, these compounding factors relating to the operation of post and courier services affect profit margins and hinder the expansion of small-scale postal service providers.

Opportunity

High demand for last-mile delivery solutions

Increasing reliance on e-commerce platforms is anticipated to create immense growth avenues in last-mile delivery services and the postal services market. Furthermore, the need for improved last-mile delivery solutions further boosts the market for advanced and last-mile reaching postal services to cater to growing e-commerce shopping.

• The Universal Postal Union (2023) revealed that parcel shipment has never been this high, mostly as a result of the shift to online shopping triggered by the COVID-19 pandemic.
• The World Economic Forum report in 2024 saw increased use of drones and delivery robots to address logistic challenges in urban cities, increase efficiency, and promote sustainability.

E-commerce activities and postal services growth (2023–2024)

Type Insights

The standard segment held a dominant presence in the postal services market in 2023; as the shift to e-commerce continues, consumers and businesses have increasingly selected cheaper, less urgent modes of transportation. The growth of e-commerce around the world is expected to continue to cause consistent growth for standard deliveries in developing nations where customers demand faster delivery services for less than the value of the service. According to the Universal Postal Union (2023), nations such as India and Brazil have experienced a gradual but steady increase in the demand for standard posts, with more and more customers opting for online purchasing. Furthermore, the standard segment receives increased delivery infrastructure largely through higher levels of sortation and routing.

The express segment is expected to grow at the fastest rate in the postal services market during the forecast period of 2024 to 2034, owing to the growing consumer demand for improved and faster deliveries by delivery companies. The uptake of the segment was common within the developed region, mainly driven by giant firms, such as Amazon and DHL, venturing into express logistics. They aim to cater to the growing need for same-day or next-day delivery. Furthermore, the an increase in demand for express delivery across the world, especially in high-density urban areas.

• According to a World Economic Forum report published in 2024, as much as 70% of EU consumers today require delivery in a hurry fueled by the fast-growing e-commerce for time-sensitive goods such as electronics and pharma products.

Services Insights

The shipping & package services segment accounted for a considerable share of the postal services market in 2023 due to the growing e-commerce sectors. Small and medium-sized parcel delivery companies experienced increased growth in business, especially in the year 2023, as people embraced e-commerce. This segment is expected to maintain its supremacy as e-commerce giants emerge across the world and buyers seek faster and more reliable delivery services. Furthermore, e-commerce firms such as Amazon and Alibaba have invested in increasing their delivery channels to cover increasing delivery volumes.

The first-class mail segment is anticipated to grow with a significant CAGR in the postal services market during the studied years, owing to its dependability and short transit time when delivering sensitive documents. Despite certain erosions from digital communication substitutes, letter segments appeared indispensable for bills, official correspondence, and legal notices. Healthcare, banking, and law firms are examples of businesses that still extensively rely on first-class mail, something that assures consistent business.

Destination Insights

The domestic segment led the global postal services market in 2023 due to the escalating volume of sales made through e-commerce platforms and the rapid and expanding demand for efficient and national delivery services. The consumer durables goods segment has greatly benefited from increased demand brought about by the growth of online businesses and the trend of carrying out cross-border deliveries in a shorter time. Furthermore, the increasing demand among people for faster delivery and cheaper delivery services.

• The U.S. Postal Service reported in 2023 that domestic parcels continued to grow by 15% as bigshots like Amazon continued to extend their logistics services. 

The international segment is projected to expand rapidly in the postal services market in the coming years, owing to the increase in Internet sales and international commerce. The use of mail and parcel services is set to remain on an upward slope as the globe becomes connected and the materials that require cross-border delivery are delivered faster. Additionally, there was an increase in free trade relations and decreased physical hurdles in international shipping.

Postal Services Market Companies

• United States Postal Service (USPS)
• United Parcel Service (UPS), Inc.
• TNT Holdings B.V.
• Sociedad Estatal Correos y Telégrafos, S.A., S.M.E (Correos)
• Singapore Post Limited (SingPost)
• Royal Mail Group Limited
• Poczta Polska SA
• La Poste
• Koninklijke PostNL
• JAPAN POST Co., Ltd.
• FedEx
• China Post Group Corporation
• Canada Post Corporation
• Australia Post

Latest Announcements by Industry Leaders

• October 15, 2024 – U.S. Postal Service
• Postmaster General and CEO -  Louis DeJoy
• Announcement- The U.S. Postal Service is ready to provide exceptional service during the 2024 holiday rush, thanks to the Delivering for America plan — a $40 billion investment to revitalize the postal network. Postmaster General Louis DeJoy stated that this transformation has increased package processing capacity and improved operational efficiency. He expressed confidence in handling the peak holiday season and delivering affordable service to Americans.

Recent Developments

• In January 2024, India Post launched a new Franchisee scheme on February 1, 2024, aimed at establishing post office franchise outlets. This system will enable 24/7 pickup of parcels from postal premises, offering OTP-based delivery at no cost, starting at select locations in Thane, Navi Mumbai, and Pune. ANVIT Sewa plans expansions in Mumbai at various prime locations.
• In October 2024, the U.S. Postal Service will unveil its new zero-emission electric Next Generation Delivery Vehicles (NGDVs) at L’Enfant Plaza, as part of a major fleet replacement initiative to enhance delivery services and reduce carbon emissions, supported by a USD 40 billion investment plan.
• In February 2024, the Postal Service announced the launch of new Sorting & Delivery Centers (S&DCs) and spoke post offices, with 16 S&DCs and 52 spoke offices set to begin operations on September 7, 2024.

Segments Covered in the Report

By Type

• Standard
• Express

By Service

• First-Class Mail
• Shipping and Package Services
• Marketing Mail
• Periodicals
• International Mall
• Others

By Destination

• International
• Domestic

By Geography

• North America
• Asia Pacific
• Europe
• Latin America
• Middle East and Africa