The packaging paper sector in Belgium saw variable trends over the past decade. In 2023, the industry registered 6.6659 million hours worked, a slight decline from previous years. Year-on-year variations show fluctuating patterns with drops in 2018 (-8.75%) and 2023 (-2.42%), contrasted by growth in 2019 (+13.98%) and stability in 2020 (+2.02%). The last two years had negative variations, emphasizing a downtrend.
Looking ahead, forecasted data predicts a continuous decline in hours worked, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -2.05% over the next five years, culminating in 5.8628 million hours by 2028.
Future trends to watch for:
- Automation and technological advancements potentially reducing labor requirements.
- Shifts towards sustainable packaging impacting job dynamics.
- Economic factors and market demand influencing labor needs.