Inventory of forest and wood resources

Inventory of forest and wood resources

A new WoodStock report offers an inventory of Europe’s forest resources and their role in the wider forest-based value chain. The results can help assess further opportunities for improved efficiency and resilience in the use of forest resources. 

Forest resources and value chain context

wood flows

The report provides an overview of Europe’s forest resources and their role in the wider forest-based value chain. Forests cover roughly 35% of Europe’s land area, although their distribution varies considerably among the case countries: Finland and Slovenia have the highest forest shares (% of land area), while Ireland has the lowest. The analysis highlights differences in species composition, management regimes, and forest productivity. To support the WoodStock project, the report maps how wood flows from standing forests through harvesting, processing and end uses, emphasising material efficiency and the potential of underutilised wood (hardwood, low-quality wood, post-consumer and residual wood, and damaged wood). Harmonised datasets from Eurostat and FAO are used to ensure reliable cross-country comparisons, providing a baseline for sustainable management and policy development.  

Source image: Wood material flows along the forest value chain. Adapted from Giuntoli et al. (2022).

Forest composition, growth and environmental functions

Forest composition across Europe is dominated by a small set of native conifers, such as Norway spruce and Scots pine, complemented by key hardwoods, such as beech and oak. The prevalence of introduced species differs substantially, with France and Ireland showing notable shares, while Finland and Slovenia rely almost entirely on native species. The report presents indicators, including growing stock, forest types, and net annual increase, highlighting how growth dynamics and age structures influence long-term sustainability. Disturbances such as storms, pests and wildfires are increasing in frequency and severity, shaping forest condition and management priorities. The report also addresses environmental functions, documenting protected forest areas, carbon stocks, and national contributions to Sustainable Development Goal 15, underscoring the ecological relevance of Europe’s forest systems.  

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forest

Harvesting patterns and material utilisation

Roundwood removals, the total volume of roundwood that is felled or harvested, and removed from the forest, are a key indicator of forest utilisation, reflecting both biological growth and economic activity. Finland recorded the highest removals, followed by France and Poland, while Norway, Slovenia and Ireland operate at smaller scales. Differences in wood type, assortment and ownership highlight how property rights shape harvesting patterns, with Poland’s state forests showing high activity, and private ownership dominating in Finland, France and Norway. Trends in sawlogs, pulpwood and other assortments reveal long-term, country-specific utilisation patterns, illustrating how markets and ownership fragmentation influence supply efficiency across Europe. Post-consumer wood largely originates from manufacturing industries, although inputs from construction and waste management sectors are increasing. About half of this wood is recycled, mainly into particle board, while the remainder is used for energy recovery. France has the highest volumes in Europe, and several countries show rising recycling rates, although practices differ widely. 

 

Source image: Kristina Bringedal Gedde, NIBIO

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Economic contribution and employment structure

Economic aggregates highlight the substantial contribution of forestry to national economies. France, Poland and Finland generate the highest outputs and gross value added, each showing upward long-term trends linked to active harvesting and well-developed processing industries. Smaller forest economies such as Slovenia, Norway and Ireland maintain stable but lower economic outputs. Employment data reveal a strongly male-dominated sector, with women representing a modest share of the workforce, although proportions vary by country. The report also reviews national policy frameworks that support sustainable forest management, noting broad legislative alignment yet differing degrees of stakeholder participation and traceability systems.

Overall, the analysis presents a picture of Europe’s forest-based economy and serves as a baseline for the potential for further resource efficiency and resilience. The report will be published on Zenodo. 
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Source: Area of wooded land in forests, in thousand hectares, 1990-2025. Source: Eurostat - Area of wooded land (FAO) [for_area] (Eurostat 2026)