The employment in the Tobacco Products Sector in Belgium has experienced a continuous decline from 2013 through to 2023, decreasing from 1.13 to 0.695 thousand (FTE). This long-term downward trend is evidenced by multiple year-on-year decreases: -4.75% in 2016, -8.36% in 2018, -3.91% in 2020, -5.17% in 2022, and -5.31% in 2023, with the employment standing at 0.695 thousand (FTE) in 2023. Furthermore, the last five years showed a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -4.3%, further reflecting this continual decline.
Looking forward, the forecast for the next five years predicts a further decrease in employment, featuring a forecasted 5.25% CAGR and an anticipated 23.63% decline by 2028, bringing employment down to 0.501 thousand (FTE).
Future trends to watch for include regulatory changes, shifts in consumer preferences toward non-tobacco alternatives, and broader health initiatives that could impact employment further. Additionally, technological advancements and automation could also play a role in accelerating employment reductions within the sector.
