The forest and the economy

The European forest industry plays a crucial role in the transition to a sustainable society and a circular economy. It also significantly contributes to Europe’s economic prosperity.

In 2022, approximately 3.6 million people were employed in forestry and the wood-based industry in the EU, an increase of 1.4 per cent compared to 2012. This accounts for about 1.8 per cent of total employment in the EU. (ec.europa.eu)

In 2022, the EU produced an estimated 510 million cubic meters of roundwood, a significant portion of which was used for sawn timber and veneer, as well as pulp and paper production. (ec.europa.eu)

Europe’s forests cover approximately 1.02 billion hectares, which is around 25 per cent of the world’s total forest area, estimated at 4.06 billion hectares (according to FAO’s Global Forest Resources Assessment 2020).