Around the world, forests make a significant contribution to livelihoods and poverty alleviation.
- 6 billion rural people depend on forests to some extent. This includes a wide range of groups, including Indigenous people, rural communities, smallholder farmers, and employees of forest-based enterprises.
- Over 90% of people living in extreme poverty depend on forests for all or part of their livelihoods.
- It is estimated that more than 13 million people are employed in the formal forest sector. This number increases to 73 million people when informal small and medium forest enterprises are included.
- Forests make up 22.2% of household incomes in developing countries. The main forest products that contribute to incomes are fuelwood, building poles, timber and building materials. Households also use a variety of non-timber forest products that contribute to food security, welfare, medicinal needs, and cultural practices.
