The UK spirits sector has seen fluctuating employment trends from 2013 to 2023. The number of employees in 2023 stood at 15.45 thousand, reflecting a year-on-year increase of 2.16%. Significant changes include a dramatic 91.59% increase in 2017 following a sharp decline in 2016, which notably impacted the sector's growth pattern. From 2018 to 2023, the sector has shown a more stabilized growth trend with modest year-on-year increments, albeit with smaller variations from 2020 onwards.
Between 2018 and 2023, the Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) has consistently hovered between 1.49% and 7.37%, signaling moderate growth. The forecast period from 2024 onwards predicts a steady upward trend, with employment expected to reach 16.98 thousand by 2028, registering a forecasted 5-year CAGR of 1.5% and a total growth rate of 7.71% over this period.
Future trends to watch for include the impact of technological advancements and automation on employment, shifts in consumer preferences towards premium and craft spirits, sustainability initiatives, and regulatory changes that could influence production and staffing needs within the sector.