Forest News launches new European forest statistics tool
Forest News has launched a new forest statistics tool based on Forest Europe’s widely known State of Europe’s Forests report.
The interactive forest statistics tool brings together key information on forest use, economic significance and ecological impacts across European countries.
Through its user-friendly interface, the tool allows an easy comparison of data from different countries. It provides a much-needed resource for an increasingly international forest debate, where finding comparable information across different national contexts has often been challenging.
“As expectations on forests continue to grow around the world, there is also a growing need for a shared understanding of what is happening in forests from the perspectives of production, climate and biodiversity,” says Marko Mäki-Hakola, Director of Forestry at MTK, the Central Union of Agricultural Producers and Forest Owners in Finland.
The forest statistics tool has been developed by MTK. It will be published on MTK’s website in Finnish, Swedish and English. On Forest News, the tool will be available in Finnish and English. The project was funded by the Finnish Forest Foundation.
Consistent data on key forest indicators
The data used in the forest statistics tool is based on the latest edition of Forest Europe’s State of Europe’s Forests report, published in early 2026. Forest Europe is a cooperative process involving the governments of more than 40 European countries, working together to promote sustainable forest management and use.
Users can explore statistical highlights presented in the article Forests in numbers. The article provides an overview of Europe’s current forest balance and bioeconomy flows, among other topics.
In the European Forest Statistics section, users can examine data on Europe’s forest resources according to their own interests. As an example, the statistics can be filtered by selecting countries directly on an interactive map. In addition to forest resources, the tool provides information on topics such as forest damage, carbon stocks and forest ownership.
A tool for decision-making and communication
MTK’s objective in developing the forest statistics tool is to bring greater transparency and a more comprehensive perspective to discussions about forests.
“The use of forests always involves choices and trade-offs. That is why it is important to consider economic, social and environmental impacts simultaneously, rather than focusing on just one dimension,” Mäki-Hakola emphasizes.
The forest statistics service is intended especially for policymakers, media representatives, forest sector professionals, as well as for anyone interested in forest-related data.
“This service also supports the international communication of the Finnish forest sector by making up-to-date, Europe-wide forest statistics easily accessible to everyone,” says Martta Fredrikson, CEO of the Finnish Forest Foundation, which funded the project.