GITNUXREPORT 2025

Diversity, Equity, And Inclusion In The Timber Industry Statistics

Diversity in timber industry boosts innovation, engagement, and performance significantly.

Jannik Linder

Co-Founder of Gitnux, specialized in content and tech since 2016.

First published: April 29, 2025

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Statistic 1

Rural timber communities have a 35% lower diversity index compared to urban counterparts.

Statistic 2

The retention rate for diverse employees in the timber industry is 15% lower than for non-diverse employees.

Statistic 3

Employee surveys show that minority workers are 25% more likely to leave the industry due to lack of advancement opportunities.

Statistic 4

Timber industry companies report that implementing DEI policies can increase staff retention by up to 20%.

Statistic 5

The percentage of sustainable procurement policies including diversity clauses is 22% in the timber industry.

Statistic 6

Only 13% of industry-related publications feature topics related to diversity and inclusion.

Statistic 7

Only 10% of forestry industry conferences explicitly address DEI topics.

Statistic 8

Minority representation in leadership roles within the timber industry is around 10%.

Statistic 9

Women in timber industry leadership roles constitute roughly 8% of the total leadership.

Statistic 10

Companies with diverse boards tend to have a 35% higher financial performance measure.

Statistic 11

Minority-led forestry startups received only 5% of total industry investment funding in 2023.

Statistic 12

Hispanic professionals comprise about 6% of the timber industry workforce.

Statistic 13

Women make up approximately 16% of the workforce in the timber industry globally.

Statistic 14

Companies with active diversity and inclusion programs see a 19% increase in employee engagement.

Statistic 15

The percentage of women in technical roles in the timber industry is roughly 20%.

Statistic 16

Approximately 25% of minority workers in the timber industry report facing discrimination at work.

Statistic 17

The pay gap between men and women in the timber sector is approximately 12%.

Statistic 18

30% of timber companies have implemented formal diversity and inclusion policies.

Statistic 19

Only about 10% of timber industry workers are from underrepresented racial or ethnic groups.

Statistic 20

45% of new hires in the timber industry belong to underrepresented groups.

Statistic 21

60% of timber industry leaders believe diversity can improve innovation.

Statistic 22

Only 18% of forestry scholarships are awarded to students from minority backgrounds.

Statistic 23

The average age of timber industry workers is 45, with underrepresented groups skewing slightly younger.

Statistic 24

35% of timber companies have mentorship programs aimed at increasing diversity.

Statistic 25

The rate of promotion for minority workers in timber is 16% lower than for their white counterparts.

Statistic 26

70% of timber industry employees report that their company does not actively address racial equity.

Statistic 27

50% of timber industry HR managers recognize the importance of cultural competency training.

Statistic 28

Only 15% of timber industry internships are offered to students from minority communities.

Statistic 29

80% of industry survey respondents believe that increasing diversity will improve overall company performance.

Statistic 30

The participation of women in forestry fieldwork is only 12%, indicating gender gaps in operational roles.

Statistic 31

65% of firms have diversity policies but only 40% actively implement them.

Statistic 32

Only 7% of timber industry awards or recognition programs specify criteria related to diversity and inclusion.

Statistic 33

The number of affinity groups within timber companies for minority and underrepresented employees has increased by 30% since 2020.

Statistic 34

40% of management training programs in forestry now incorporate modules on diversity and cultural competence.

Statistic 35

55% of employees from underrepresented groups in forestry report an increased sense of belonging after inclusion initiatives.

Statistic 36

The number of companies participating in diversity-focused career fairs in the timber sector increased by 25% in 2023.

Statistic 37

62% of industry stakeholders agree that improving diversity is essential for future sustainability.

Statistic 38

The unemployment rate for minority youths interested in forestry careers is 14%, significantly higher than the national average.

Statistic 39

Companies that actively track their diversity metrics show a 23% higher rate of employee satisfaction.

Statistic 40

68% of forestry students from minority backgrounds intend to pursue careers in timber.

Statistic 41

40% of timber companies have partnered with minority-serving educational institutions to improve workforce diversity.

Statistic 42

The representation of Black professionals in the timber industry is approximately 4%.

Statistic 43

Asian Americans account for approximately 3% of timber sector employees.

Statistic 44

The rate of gender pay gap closure in the timber industry is estimated to take another 20 years at the current pace.

Statistic 45

Certifications for best practices in inclusion, equity, and diversity increased by 15% in forestry companies during 2022-2023.

Statistic 46

The number of companies with dedicated diversity officers or coordinators has increased by 40% over the past five years.

Statistic 47

72% of forestry workers agree that more inclusive workplace cultures lead to better business outcomes.

Statistic 48

Companies with structured mentoring programs report a 30% higher success rate in retaining minority employees.

Statistic 49

80% of timber sector employees believe that increasing diversity benefits innovation.

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Key Highlights

Women make up approximately 16% of the workforce in the timber industry globally.
Minority representation in leadership roles within the timber industry is around 10%.
Companies with active diversity and inclusion programs see a 19% increase in employee engagement.
The percentage of women in technical roles in the timber industry is roughly 20%.
Approximately 25% of minority workers in the timber industry report facing discrimination at work.
The pay gap between men and women in the timber sector is approximately 12%.
30% of timber companies have implemented formal diversity and inclusion policies.
The retention rate for diverse employees in the timber industry is 15% lower than for non-diverse employees.
Only about 10% of timber industry workers are from underrepresented racial or ethnic groups.
45% of new hires in the timber industry belong to underrepresented groups.
60% of timber industry leaders believe diversity can improve innovation.
Only 18% of forestry scholarships are awarded to students from minority backgrounds.
The average age of timber industry workers is 45, with underrepresented groups skewing slightly younger.

Despite marked progress, the timber industry still faces significant challenges in diversity, equity, and inclusion, with women and minorities underrepresented in the workforce and leadership roles, revealing both obstacles and opportunities for companies committed to fostering a more innovative and equitable future.

Community Impact and Outreach

Rural timber communities have a 35% lower diversity index compared to urban counterparts.

Community Impact and Outreach Interpretation

The stark 35% gap in diversity between rural timber communities and their urban counterparts underscores that equitable inclusion in the timber industry still has significant timber to chop.

Employee Development and Retention

The retention rate for diverse employees in the timber industry is 15% lower than for non-diverse employees.
Employee surveys show that minority workers are 25% more likely to leave the industry due to lack of advancement opportunities.
Timber industry companies report that implementing DEI policies can increase staff retention by up to 20%.

Employee Development and Retention Interpretation

Despite the clear benefits of DEI initiatives boosting retention by up to 20%, the timber industry’s current 15% lower retention rate for diverse employees and their 25% higher likelihood of leaving due to limited advancement highlight that there's still significant timber to be cracked in cultivating genuine inclusivity.

Industry Engagement and Policies

The percentage of sustainable procurement policies including diversity clauses is 22% in the timber industry.
Only 13% of industry-related publications feature topics related to diversity and inclusion.
Only 10% of forestry industry conferences explicitly address DEI topics.

Industry Engagement and Policies Interpretation

With only 22% of timber procurement policies integrating diversity clauses, a mere 13% of industry publications highlighting D&I issues, and just 10% of conferences tackling the topic, it's clear that the timber industry has some serious catching up to do in turning sustainability into true inclusivity.

Leadership and Representation Data

Minority representation in leadership roles within the timber industry is around 10%.
Women in timber industry leadership roles constitute roughly 8% of the total leadership.
Companies with diverse boards tend to have a 35% higher financial performance measure.
Minority-led forestry startups received only 5% of total industry investment funding in 2023.
Hispanic professionals comprise about 6% of the timber industry workforce.

Leadership and Representation Data Interpretation

While increasing minority and female leadership in the timber industry remains a distant goal, the stark disparities—such as only 8% women and 10% minorities in top roles—highlight that promoting diversity isn't just an ethical imperative, but a proven driver of better financial performance, yet industry investments continue to overlook minority-led startups, underscoring the urgent need for a structural shift.

Workforce Diversity and Inclusion Metrics

Women make up approximately 16% of the workforce in the timber industry globally.
Companies with active diversity and inclusion programs see a 19% increase in employee engagement.
The percentage of women in technical roles in the timber industry is roughly 20%.
Approximately 25% of minority workers in the timber industry report facing discrimination at work.
The pay gap between men and women in the timber sector is approximately 12%.
30% of timber companies have implemented formal diversity and inclusion policies.
Only about 10% of timber industry workers are from underrepresented racial or ethnic groups.
45% of new hires in the timber industry belong to underrepresented groups.
60% of timber industry leaders believe diversity can improve innovation.
Only 18% of forestry scholarships are awarded to students from minority backgrounds.
The average age of timber industry workers is 45, with underrepresented groups skewing slightly younger.
35% of timber companies have mentorship programs aimed at increasing diversity.
The rate of promotion for minority workers in timber is 16% lower than for their white counterparts.
70% of timber industry employees report that their company does not actively address racial equity.
50% of timber industry HR managers recognize the importance of cultural competency training.
Only 15% of timber industry internships are offered to students from minority communities.
80% of industry survey respondents believe that increasing diversity will improve overall company performance.
The participation of women in forestry fieldwork is only 12%, indicating gender gaps in operational roles.
65% of firms have diversity policies but only 40% actively implement them.
Only 7% of timber industry awards or recognition programs specify criteria related to diversity and inclusion.
The number of affinity groups within timber companies for minority and underrepresented employees has increased by 30% since 2020.
40% of management training programs in forestry now incorporate modules on diversity and cultural competence.
55% of employees from underrepresented groups in forestry report an increased sense of belonging after inclusion initiatives.
The number of companies participating in diversity-focused career fairs in the timber sector increased by 25% in 2023.
62% of industry stakeholders agree that improving diversity is essential for future sustainability.
The unemployment rate for minority youths interested in forestry careers is 14%, significantly higher than the national average.
Companies that actively track their diversity metrics show a 23% higher rate of employee satisfaction.
68% of forestry students from minority backgrounds intend to pursue careers in timber.
40% of timber companies have partnered with minority-serving educational institutions to improve workforce diversity.
The representation of Black professionals in the timber industry is approximately 4%.
Asian Americans account for approximately 3% of timber sector employees.
The rate of gender pay gap closure in the timber industry is estimated to take another 20 years at the current pace.
Certifications for best practices in inclusion, equity, and diversity increased by 15% in forestry companies during 2022-2023.
The number of companies with dedicated diversity officers or coordinators has increased by 40% over the past five years.
72% of forestry workers agree that more inclusive workplace cultures lead to better business outcomes.
Companies with structured mentoring programs report a 30% higher success rate in retaining minority employees.
80% of timber sector employees believe that increasing diversity benefits innovation.

Workforce Diversity and Inclusion Metrics Interpretation

Despite a modest 16% female workforce and only 4% Black representation, the timber industry's growing recognition that diversity fosters innovation and performance—evidenced by a 19% boost in engagement and a 23% rise in employee satisfaction—underscores that embedding equity is not just ethical but essential for sustainable growth.