Doubling the number of digital letters sent from public authorities

In 2015 Danish public authorities sent 89 million digital letters through Digital Post to citizens and businesses. That is almost twice as many digital letters as in 2014 and three times as many as in 2013. Also, the number of digital self-service transactions indicates that public sector digitisation is moving full speed ahead.

From 2014 to 2015, the number of digital letters sent from the public sector increased from 47.9 million to 88.9 million, which is an increase of 86 percent. It shows that the old paper-and-envelope letters really have been done away with and that letters are now being sent digitally:

"Over the last three years a huge effort has been made by central government authorities, regions, and municipalities to convert paper-based letters to digital letters. The most recent figures show that public authorities have come far in the process, and we are close to our goal of sending 80 percent of all relevant letters digitally" says Louise Palludan Kampmann, Head of Division at the Agency for DIgitalisation.

She continues: "Today 9 out of 10 citizens are signed-up to Digital Post. The new figures show that citizens receive a lot of mail in their Digital Post mailbox. When you add to that the fact that citizens have learned to check the mail it shows that digital communication with the public sector is happening on a large scale and has become a natural element of everyday life for many."

In the spring of 2016 a final status check will be made on the ambition that 80 percent of all letters to citizens that can be sent digitally are being sent digitally.

The positive trend also applies to digital self-service, e.g. when citizens use online self-service solutions to register a change of address, apply for a new health card, or report a bike theft. Figures show that 95 percent of applications for state pension and 80 percent of applications for housing benefit are made using digital self-service.

Key figures on the use of Digital Post

• In 2015, 88.9 million digital mailings were sent to citizens and businesses.
• In 2014, 47.9 million digital mailings were sent to citizens and businesses.
• In 2013, 28.0 million digital mailings were sent to citizens and businesses.
• 4.4 million Danes are signed-up to receive Digital Post (equals 89 percent).
• 546,000 Danes are exempt from Digital Post (equals 11 percent).