The accommodation and food services sector in Belgium has experienced fluctuating employment trends over the past decade. From 2013 to 2019, there was a consistent growth in employment, with year-on-year percentage increases ranging from 0.13% to 8.76%. However, the sector faced a significant decline in 2020, with a drastic 41.48% reduction in employment due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The recovery began in 2021 with a 38.46% increase, followed by further growth in 2022 and 2023. As of 2023, employment stood at 288.31 million hours. The forecast for 2024-2028 suggests a CAGR of 1.55%, with a total growth rate of 7.97% over five years.
Future trends to watch for include:
- Impact of tourism recovery on employment
- Adoption of technology and its effect on labor demand
- Policy changes and economic factors influencing sector stability
