The number of employees in food and beverage service activities in Canada demonstrated a steady increase from 927.25 thousand jobs in 2013 to 1220 thousand jobs in 2023, encompassing both actual and forecasted data from the current year, 2024. This accounts for a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 1.96% from 2018-2023. Over the last two years, the industry observed a year-on-year growth of 1.71% in 2023, with a slight increase reflecting the post-pandemic stabilization and gradual workforce expansion. Forecasted data from 2024 onwards suggest a continued yet slower growth rate with a 5-year CAGR of 1.2%, predicting the workforce to reach 1320 thousand jobs by 2028.

Future trends to watch for:

Technological advancements in food delivery and automation impacting labor demand.
Economic fluctuations potentially affecting consumer spending and industry staffing needs.
Shifts in consumer preferences towards sustainable and locally-produced food impacting employment patterns.
Policy changes and immigration influencing labor market dynamics.