The employment in the event catering sector in Germany has shown significant fluctuations over the years. From 2013 to 2019, the sector experienced robust growth, with notable increases in full-time equivalents (FTEs). However, the sector was severely impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, which caused a substantial decline of 35.75% in employment. Recovery began in 2021 with employment growing by 35.7%, followed by subsequent increases in 2022 and 2023.
In 2023, the employment stood at 66.75 thousand FTEs. Over the last five years, from 2019 to 2023, the compound annual growth rate (CAGR) was 4.12%. The most recent years, 2021 and 2022 saw year-on-year variations of 35.7% and 19.54% respectively, indicating a strong recovery trend.
Looking ahead, forecasts suggest continued growth in employment in the sector, with projections reaching up to 83.25 thousand FTEs by 2028. The forecasted five-year CAGR from 2024 to 2028 is expected to be 3.49%, reflecting steady growth.
Future trends to watch for include the sector's adaptability to changing event formats, the integration of digital and hybrid event solutions, and the impact of potential economic fluctuations on discretionary spending in event catering.
