Employment in the German waste collection sector has seen significant growth over the past decade, with a notable increase from 59.86 thousand full-time equivalents (FTE) in 2013 to 131.26 thousand FTE in 2023. Particularly high growth rates are observed in 2018 (35.63%) and 2019 (18.99%), which significantly boosted employment numbers. Despite fluctuations, the industry maintained an overall Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 7.08% over the last five years leading up to 2023.

Looking forward to forecasts up to 2028, the waste collection sector is expected to maintain a more modest, yet steady, average growth rate of 3.09% per year. This suggests that while the explosive growth seen in the past might not continue, the sector will still expand at a healthy rate.

Future trends to watch for include:

Technological advancements in waste collection and recycling processes, which may impact employment numbers either through increased efficiency or the need for new skills.
Regulatory changes and environmental policies that could drive growth and demand in the sector.
Market consolidation and the rise of new competitors may also influence employment dynamics.