The growth rate of Swedish forests is increasing again after a period of decline. Harvest levels are decreasing following record highs, Scots pine continues to increase in volume while Norway spruce is declining, and the amount of dead wood continues to rise. These are some of the key findings in the annual official statistics presented today by the Swedish National Forest Inventory at the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU).
SLU has conducted nationwide forest and land surveys through the Swedish National Forest Inventory since 1923. Today’s release is based on field data collected between 2020 and 2024.
- Growth is once again on the rise after having decreased since 2012. At the same time, total drain—meaning the combined volume of harvested trees and those that die from other causes—is beginning to decline following several peak years, says Per-Erik Wikberg, Head of Reporting at the Swedish National Forest Inventory.
- It’s too early to say whether these developments are temporary or the start of longer-term trends. However, regarding forest growth, this year’s statistics show a more favourable situation than in recent years, he continues.
The growing difference between forest growth and total drain means that the timber stock—the total standing volume of forest in Sweden—is increasing at a slightly faster rate than during the previous years of weaker development. The new statistics show that Sweden’s timber stock now exceeds 3.6 billion forest cubic metres.
- We also see that the volume of Scots pine continues to increase, after surpassing Norway spruce as the most common tree species a few years ago. At the same time, the volume of spruce is decreasing, while broadleaved trees continue to increase in volume. Broadleaved species now account for 20 percent of the total timber stock. In terms of number of trees, birch remains the most common species, says Cornelia Roberge, Programme Manager at the Swedish National Forest Inventory.
The volume of dead wood has steadily increased over the past decade and continues to rise. It now amounts to nearly 10 cubic metres per hectare outside formally protected areas.
Per-Erik Wikberg, Head of Reporting, Swedish National Forest Inventory, SLU
Phone: +46 (0)90-786 83 03
Email: per-erik.wikberg@slu.se
Figure 1. Increment, harvest and natural loss
Total annual increment (including increment of felled trees), total annual drain, total annual felling of living trees and total annual natural loss.
Swedish NFI 1956–2021. Source: Skogsdata 2025, page 68.
Figure 2. Growing stock by species
Growing stock by species. 1926–2022.
All land use classes outside urban land. Including alpine areas from 2018. Outside formally protected areas as of 2023. Source: Skogsdata 2025, page 62.
Figure 3. Dead wood volume per hectar
Dead wood volume per hectar within and outside formally
protected areas. 1996–2022. Productive forest land. Formally protected areas as of 2023. Source: Skogsdata 2025, page 142.
This year’s theme chapter in Skogsdata is “Growth, Harvesting and Natural Drain”. It includes in-depth analyses of factors behind variations in forest growth, supported by long-term statistical data provided by the Swedish National Forest Inventory.