Stamps feel expensive because the cost of running a national mail system has risen while fewer people are sending letters.
Core reasons
The main drivers are higher operating costs (fuel, transportation, labor, facilities, and technology), along with general inflation that makes every part of delivery more expensive. At the same time, traditional letter mail volume has fallen sharply as people switch to email and online billing, so postal systems have to collect more money per letter to cover fixed costs.
What is happening in the U.S.
In the United States, the Postal Service has faced large financial losses and was given more freedom by regulators starting around 2020 to raise rates faster and more often to try to become financially self‑sufficient. Since 2021, stamp prices have been raised multiple times under a 10‑year financial plan, so people notice frequent hikes even though the absolute price is still relatively low compared with many other countries.
Global context
Many other countries’ postal operators have also increased stamp prices, sometimes by a higher percentage than the U.S., as they deal with the same mix of inflation and declining mail volumes. Some posts have restructured services by making standard fast delivery more expensive while shifting customers toward slower, cheaper options to keep at least one basic service affordable.