In 2024, employment in the Luggage, Handbags, Saddlery, and Harness sector in Germany is forecasted at 2.98 thousand FTE, following an upward trend from 2023 figures. The forecast suggests a gradual decline over the five-year period, reaching 2.64 thousand FTE by 2028. This represents a reduction of roughly 11.3% from 2024, indicating a consistent year-on-year decrease of approximately 2.2%. The compound annual growth rate over the upcoming years is negative, signaling contraction due to factors such as increased automation and shifts in consumer demand.

Future trends to watch for include:

Enhancements in production technology potentially reshaping workforce size.
Changing consumer preferences towards sustainable products influencing market dynamics.
Potential impacts from global trade policies affecting export and import activities.
Emerging competition from alternative materials that could affect traditional craftsmanship demand.