The food services employment sector in Australia experienced robust growth from 2013 to 2018, with employment peaking in 2018 at 216.1 thousand employees. However, from 2019 onward, a decline in employment is evident, exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, leading to a 4.78% year-on-year decrease in 2023 to 172.41 thousand employees. The five-year CAGR from 2018 to 2023 was -4.42%, underscoring this significant downturn. This downward trend is expected to continue, with a projected decline to 130.4 thousand employees by 2028, reflecting a forecasted five-year CAGR of -4.46%.
Future trends to watch for include potential recovery driven by market reopening and consumer demand rebound post-pandemic, technological advancements in food services, and changing consumer preferences towards convenience and health-conscious eating.
