All Publications

19.06.2025 — This policy brief underscores the vital role of effective data management in enhancing global trade, logistics, and postal operations. It identifies key challenges, including fragmented data systems, weak customs-post collaboration, and limited data access in developing nations.

18.06.2025 — The global postal sector is navigating a "twin transition"—digital innovation and environmental sustainability. While e-commerce and data services offer growth opportunities, many operators lag in integrating green goals into core strategies. The study emphasizes the need for cohesive policies that bridge digital and climate agendas, especially in underserved regions.

30.05.2025 — As the UPU moves from celebrating its 150-year anniversary, this edition of Union Postale takes a forward-looking approach, setting the stage for the 28th Universal Postal Congress happening in Dubai next September.

12.03.2025 — The financial inclusion of women represents a significant opportunity for economic transformation; however, it remains a persistent challenge. Fintech companies are advancing financial inclusion through digital technologies, but significant untapped potential in gender-responsive financial service propositions do exist. This report draws on both secondary and primary research to examine women’s digital access options and presents recommendations to address the persistent gender gaps through postal networks.

28.02.2025 — The global direct marketing landscape is evolving rapidly, with digital channels reshaping the industry and redefining the role of traditional mail. This study provides an in-depth analysis of market trends, financial performance and strategic opportunities for postal operators.

03.02.2025 — This year has been one of celebration. Those celebrations came to a pinnacle on 9 October – World Post Day – when the UPU celebrated its 150th birthday.

21.01.2025 — The COVID-19 pandemic profoundly reshaped international postal services, disrupting supply chains, shifting consumer behaviours, and accelerating digital transformation. Combined with changes to postal remuneration and new border and customs regulations, these factors significantly impacted postal volumes and operations. This UPU policy brief analyses these challenges, offering data-driven insights into the evolving dynamics of cross-border mail and parcel flows.

23.12.2024 — Postal Statistics presents data collected annually by the International Bureau from member designated postal operators of the Universal Postal Union.

17.12.2024 — Marking the UPU’s 150th anniversary, the State of the Postal Sector 2024 highlights the evolution, performance and future of the global postal industry. It reflects on historical milestones, from serving 600 million people in 1874 to 7.3 billion in 2024, and explores shifts driven by technological advancements and e-commerce. The report introduces “ecosystemic growth”, an approach recognising the postal sector as part of a broader logistics network thriving on innovation and collaboration. It features the 2024 Integrated Index for Postal Development (2IPD), which evaluates systems based on reliability, reach, relevance and resilience.

16.12.2024 — In this report, the UPU’s 133 work proposals were found to align, to varying degrees, with 15 of the 17 SDGs. Notably, strong alignment was found with Goal 17 (Partnerships for the Goals), Goal 9 (Industry, innovation and infrastructure), Goal 10 (Reduced inequalities), Goal 1 (No poverty) and Goal 8 (Decent work and economic growth).