In 2023, the employment within Belgium's Wood Panel Products and Veneer Sheets sector stood at 2.92 thousand FTE. The employment trend from 2013 to 2023 shows fluctuations with a moderate cumulative upward movement. Over the last two years, employment displayed a consistent but slight positive growth rate of approximately 0.97% annually, suggesting a stabilizing demand in the sector. The Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) over the previous five years was 1.55%, reflecting a steady, albeit modest, increase in sector employment.
Looking ahead, the employment forecast from 2024 to 2028 projects a gradual increase from 2.95 to 3.06 thousand FTE, underpinned by an average annual growth rate of 0.71% and an overall forecasted growth rate of 3.63% over five years. This positive outlook implies continued sector resilience with anticipated growth momentum.
Future trends to watch for include potential impacts of technological advancements in manufacturing, shifts in market demand for wood products, sustainability and regulatory changes, and economic factors influencing the construction and furniture industries which are key consumers of wood panel products and veneer sheets.
