En manlig skogsarbetare klädd i orange arbetskläder står i en tät lövskog. Han lyfter på hjälmvisiret  och ser glad ut. Foto: Jenny Leyman

Forestry Labour Force

In 2022, 30 200 people were employed in forestry, which is at the same level as in 2021.

Approximately 30 200 persons were employed in forestry in 2022, the development from 2021 is too small to be statistically significant. The number of employed persons increased during 2003 to 2007 and has varied between 25 000 and 31 000 since then.

Logotype Official Statistics of Sweden

In 2022, 13 percent of employed persons in forestry were women. Slightly below the highest share, 15 percent, from 2017.

Logotype Official Statistics of Sweden
Logotype Official Statistics of Sweden

Almost 46 000 with income from forestry

The most recent statistics on the number of people who have an income from forestry are from 2021, when approximately 45 600 people had an income from forestry. That is about the same level as recent years but lower than the years 2008 to 2015 when on average 52 700 had an income from forestry per year. The estimations includes both income in the form of wage and income as a sole proprietor.

Logotype Official Statistics of Sweden

Traditional employment statistics are usually delimited to the ages 15 to 74 or to specific time periods during the year. Forestry as an activity is characterized by seasonal work patterns, non-annual income and landowners with a high average age. For example, there were 6 600 persons with an income that were above the age of 74 during 2021.

Logotype Official Statistics of Sweden
Logotype Official Statistics of Sweden

The number of people older than 74 with income from forestry has increased steadily for more than 10 years. In 2009, there were approximately 2,100 people.

Logotype Official Statistics of Sweden
Logotype Official Statistics of Sweden
Logotype Official Statistics of Sweden
Logotype Official Statistics of Sweden
Logotype Official Statistics of Sweden
  • Last Updated: 10/11/2023