How often are things lost in the mail
The frustration of lost mail! According to various sources, including the United States Postal Service (USPS) and other postal services around the world, here are some statistics on how often things get lost in the mail:
- USPS (United States Postal Service):
- In 2020, the USPS reported that about 1.3% of all mail pieces (letters, packages, and parcels) were lost or undeliverable. This translates to around 1 in 77 mail pieces.
- The most common reasons for lost mail are:
- Incorrect or incomplete addresses (40%)
- Mail being sent to the wrong address (20%)
- Mail being damaged or destroyed during transit (15%)
- Mail being stolen or pilfered (10%)
- Global statistics:
- A study by the International Post Corporation (IPC) found that in 2019, about 2.5% of all mail pieces worldwide were lost or undeliverable.
- Another study by the market research firm, Pitney Bowes, estimated that in 2020, around 3.5% of all mail pieces globally were lost or undeliverable.
- Package loss rates:
- According to a study by ShipStation, a package shipping software company, in 2020, the average package loss rate was around 1.5%.
- Another study by the logistics company, FedEx, found that in 2019, about 1.2% of all packages they handled were lost or undeliverable.
It's worth noting that these statistics are averages and may vary depending on the type of mail, the sender's and recipient's locations, and other factors. Additionally, while these numbers may seem high, the vast majority of mail pieces are delivered successfully and on time.