Employment in the event catering sector in Spain faced significant fluctuations from 2016 to 2023. The sector reached a peak in 2018 at 26.16 thousand but saw a dramatic decline in 2019 and 2020, driven largely by broader economic challenges and the COVID-19 pandemic. Employment slightly recovered in 2021 and 2022 with year-on-year increases of 19.01% and 3.02%, respectively. In 2023, employment in the sector stood at 22.09 thousand, representing a modest year-on-year growth of 1.36%. Over the last five years, the sector experienced varied average annual growth rates, highlighting a period of recovery followed by stabilization.
From 2024 onwards, forecasts indicate a gradual decline in employment, with the number of full-time equivalents expected to decrease to 20.44 thousand by 2028. The forecasted five-year CAGR stands at -1.24%, resulting in an overall forecasted decline of 6.04% by the end of the period.
Future trends to watch for include continued impacts of post-pandemic economic adjustments, technological advancements in catering services, and changes in demand for event services driven by consumer preferences and potential new regulations in the hospitality sector.
