The employment in the event catering sector in the UK has shown a significant decline from 2013 to 2023. In 2023, the sector stood at 72.88 thousand full-time equivalents. A notable spike was observed in 2016, but the general trend has been downwards, with the last two years reflecting a year-on-year reduction of approximately 4.5%. This downturn is indicated by the 5-year CAGR, which stood at approximately -4.77% as of 2023. Future predictions are bleak, with a forecasted 5-year CAGR to 2028 of about -4.54%, translating to an overall decline of 20.73% in employment value.

Future trends to watch for:

Technological advancements and automation potentially reducing the need for human labor.
Changes in consumer behavior due to economic and social factors, impacting demand.
Recovery post-COVID-19 effects and adaptability to new norms in events and gatherings.
Policy changes and government support measures that could either mitigate or accelerate the decline.