The number of employees in the prepared meals sector in Belgium has shown variability from 2013 to 2023, with significant fluctuations during certain years. After a notable decline in 2015, there was a sharp increase in 2018. The sector then faced another decline in 2019 but recovered steadily from 2020 onward, reaching 3.03 thousand employees by 2023. The year-on-year variation for 2022 and 2023 was 2.72% and 2.65%, respectively. The compound annual growth rate (CAGR) over the last five years was 1.86%, reflecting moderate growth.
Looking ahead, the number of employees is expected to continue its upward trend, with a forecasted 9.67% growth rate over the next five years, reaching 3.4 thousand by 2028. Future trends to watch include the impact of automation, changing consumer preferences towards healthier and sustainable foods, and potential regulatory changes that could influence employment in this sector.