In 2023, the hours worked by employees in the prepared meals sector in the Netherlands stood at 5.4127 million hours. Forecasts from 2024 onwards indicate a gradual decline. In 2024, the projected hours are 5.3507 million, decreasing yearly to 5.1035 million by 2028. This represents a year-on-year decline of approximately 1.17% from 2023 to 2024. Similar annual decreases continue, approximately 1.2% each year from 2024 to 2028. The Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) over the five-year forecast period is around -1.41%.
Future trends to watch for include the impact of automation and efficiency improvements, which might reduce the need for manual labor. Additionally, changes in consumer demand and potential regulatory modifications could further influence the number of hours worked in this sector.
