The 2023 data highlights a diverse landscape for employment in the European footwear industry, with Italy leading at over 70,000 employees. Southern and Eastern European countries like Romania, Portugal, and Spain follow. Year-on-year trends reveal declines across major markets, notably France (-13.2%) and Czech Republic (-8.68%), contrasted by modest growth in Spain (1.69%) and Austria (0.41%). Poland and Germany also show contraction, indicative of shifting dynamics. Over the past five years, the compounded annual growth rate has predominantly trended downwards, signaling a need for adaptation amid evolving market conditions.
Future trends to watch include technological advancements in production, potential shifts in labor costs impacting employment, and sustainability pressures which could reshape operations and employment figures. Additionally, geopolitical factors and consumer demand shifts could lead to further restructuring across the industry.
Top countries in Footwear Number of Persons Employed by Country
| # | 10 Countries | Units (Employees) | Last Year | YoY | 5-years CAGR | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 Italy | 70,250 | 2023 | -1.55% | -2.15% | View data |
| 2 | 2 Romania | 32,810 | 2023 | +0.15% | -3.97% | View data |
| 3 | 3 Portugal | 32,470 | 2023 | -7.92% | -6.88% | View data |
| 4 | 4 Spain | 31,730 | 2023 | +3.89% | +1.69% | View data |
| 5 | 5 Bosnia and Herzegovina | 17,480 | 2023 | +2.47% | +1.43% | View data |
| 6 | 6 Poland | 16,790 | 2023 | +2.5% | -3.36% | View data |
| 7 | 7 Serbia | 12,390 | 2023 | +1.01% | +1.95% | View data |
| 8 | 8 Germany | 10,350 | 2023 | +0.54% | -3.01% | View data |
| 9 | 9 Slovakia | 7,670 | 2023 | +0.62% | -1.64% | View data |
| 10 | 10 Bulgaria | 7,150 | 2023 | -2.91% | -5.97% | View data |
