The employment in the Healthcare and Social Work Activities sector in Belgium, measured in million hours, has seen a general upward trend over the past decade. From 2013 to 2023, the sector experienced growth with minor exceptions. For example, a dip in 2020 can be attributed to the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, after which the sector rebounded in 2021. In 2023, the sector stood at 868.89 million hours, showing steady growth although with a reduced year-on-year growth rate of 0.75%, reflecting a slowdown compared to earlier years.
Over the past five years, the compound annual growth rate (CAGR) was 0.73%, indicating moderate overall growth. Looking forward, forecast data suggests that the sector will continue to grow but at a slower pace with a five-year CAGR of 0.44% and a total projected growth rate of 2.21% by 2028.
Future Trends to Watch:
- Technological advancements and digital transformation efforts within healthcare that may shift employment structures.
- Population aging, likely driving increased demand for healthcare and social work services.
- Policy changes and governmental investment to address workforce shortages and improve sector conditions.
