Over the past decade, Belgium's accommodation and food service sector has exhibited considerable growth, with employment rising substantially until 2019. The sector was heavily impacted in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, resulting in a significant drop of 45.03% in employment. However, a strong recovery followed, with employment figures rebounding to 97.05 thousand FTEs by 2023, reflecting a 14.16% year-on-year increase.

Future trends foresee a continuous growth in the sector, with anticipated employment reaching 114.63 thousand FTEs by 2028. The compound annual growth rate (CAGR) from 2024 to 2028 is projected at 2.64%, indicating steady expansion. The overall 5-year growth rate from 2023 to 2028 is expected to be 13.9%.

Trends to watch for include:

Post-pandemic recovery dynamics and their impact on employment stability.
Technological advancements influencing operational efficiencies and workforce demands.
Shifts in consumer behavior and preferences, potentially driving sector adaptation and new employment opportunities.