Epsilon Open Archive

Abstract

It has been estimated that Sweden's non-industrial private forest (NIPF) owners undertake a total of 12 M hours of self-employed forest work per year. This paper reports an evaluation of self-employment in Swedish NIPF in terms of the people and equipment involved. NIPF owners' self-employment was determined by a nationwide questionnaire survey. Complete equipment sales statistics were compiled from interviews with manufacturers and importers. About 66% of NIPF owners are undertaking self-employed forestry work. Pre-commercial thinning was the activity undertaken most frequently by them, followed by planting, cutting and extraction. In comparison to other NIPF owners, self-employed NIPF owners tend to be younger, and are more likely to be male, single owners, resident on their holdings, farmers and members of forest owner associations. Sales of new equipment suitable for self-employed individuals amounted to 67 M Euro, or 83,000 items. Based on sales numbers and the profile of self-employed NIPF owners, no major changes in the amount and nature of self-employment are expected in the near future.