The forest industry had a total turnover of SEK 256 billion in 2020 and the forest industry accounts for 10 to 13 percent of Swedish industry's employment, exports, turnover and value added.
The number of people directly employed in forestry or the forest industry has been stable in recent years.
The forestry sector provides employment:
- 115,000 people work in the forest industry (including subcontractors).
- The majority are employed in industry and just over 14 000 in forestry.
- There are 3 100 scientists, of whom 1 451 work in forestry, 668 in industry, 342 in services and 639 in trade.
Forestry skills in demand in the industry
Every year, industry, colleges and universities invest around SEK 4 billion in research in forestry and the forest industry. The main areas of research are improved processes and products (48%), development of new bio-based products (27%) and increased growth in sustainably managed forests (20%). These are likely to be some of the areas where skills will be needed in the future.
Sustainability issues are central and the industry is clear that growth is greater than felling. Swedish forests are mainly owned by individual forest owners (48%).
Common titles in the forestry sector:
- Forestry consultant
- Manager (departmental, group, middle, area, production)
- Researcher (Scientist/Researcher)
- Production manager
- Timber purchaser (buyer)
- Forest inspector
- Area manager
- Forest manager