From 2013 to 2023, the employment in Belgium’s packaging paper sector showed notable fluctuations. Employment reached a peak in 2020 at 5.38 thousand employees but demonstrated a downward trend post-2020. In 2023, employment stood at 4.65 thousand employees, indicating a 1.11% decrease year-on-year. The overall average annual growth rate (CAGR) over the last five years is 1.09%, suggesting slight growth in the recent past despite some volatility.
The future forecast for 2024 to 2028 projects a continued decline with a CAGR of -0.89%, leading to a 4.35% drop in employment by 2028. This trend indicates an overall contraction in the sector over the next five years.
Future trends to watch for include:
- Technological advancements potentially reducing workforce needs.
- Shifts in packaging preferences and regulations impacting demand for paper packaging.
- Economic conditions influencing production and employment stability within the sector.