It is time for forestry to shift perspective from trees to people, both for data collection and policy-making. SOFO 2014 argues that this will enable development of the socioeconomic benefits from forests to meet the growing demands of society, while maintaining the integrity of the forest resource base. The report brings together key data that clearly demonstrates the impacts of forests on peoples’ lives. It examines the measures countries have already taken to promote the socioeconomic benefits of forests, but shows that there is still a long way to go.