The European footwear industry employment landscape in 2023 highlights Italy as the leader with 26.74% of employees, though experiencing a decline alongside others like Portugal and Poland. Spain and Serbia marked growth, notable amidst overall reductions. France suffered the steepest decline. The industry's five-year trajectory shows significant employment shifts, with traditional shoemaking regions losing ground while others stabilize or grow slightly. Such dynamics underscore regional changes and shifts in production preferences or capacities.
Future trends to monitor include automation impacts on labor, potential relocation of manufacturing within Europe to optimize costs, and sustainability initiatives reshaping manufacturing processes and employment demands.
Top countries in Footwear Number of Persons Employed Share by Country (Units (Employees))
| # | 10 Countries | Percent | Last Year | YoY | 5-years CAGR | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 Italy | 26.74 | 2023 | -1.55% | -2.15% | View data |
| 2 | 2 Romania | 12.49 | 2023 | +0.15% | -3.97% | View data |
| 3 | 3 Portugal | 12.36 | 2023 | -7.92% | -6.88% | View data |
| 4 | 4 Spain | 12.07 | 2023 | +3.89% | +1.69% | View data |
| 5 | 5 Bosnia and Herzegovina | 6.65 | 2023 | +2.47% | +1.43% | View data |
| 6 | 6 Poland | 6.39 | 2023 | +2.5% | -3.36% | View data |
| 7 | 7 Serbia | 4.72 | 2023 | +1.01% | +1.95% | View data |
| 8 | 8 Germany | 3.94 | 2023 | +0.54% | -3.01% | View data |
| 9 | 9 Slovakia | 2.92 | 2023 | +0.62% | -1.64% | View data |
| 10 | 10 Bulgaria | 2.72 | 2023 | -2.91% | -5.97% | View data |
