Forests are home to an estimated 800 million people around the world. To varying degrees more than 1.6 billion people depend on forests for their livelihoods (e.g., fuel wood, medicinal plants and forest foods). About 60 million indigenous people are dependent on forests, and in developing countries about 1.2 billion people rely directly on agroforestry farming systems that help sustain agricultural productivity and generate income.
An estimated 13 million people were formally employed in the forestry sector worldwide in the year 2000. This represents about 0.4% of the total labor force, but is likely an underestimation as it includes only the “visible” and “formal” activities. The International Labour Organization estimates that for every formal job in the forestry sector there are one or two informal jobs. The forestry sector could potentially contribute to an estimated 1.5% of global employment.
The gross value-added in the forestry sector in 2003 was US$ 353 billion, while the global trade in wood products amounted to US$ 150 billion.
Sources: FAO, 2007B, 2002B. Facts and figures are online.