Employment in Belgium’s hospitality sector sees steady growth
Employment in Belgium’s hospitality industry continues to rise. This year saw significant increases in both flexible and permanent jobs, an analysis by HR firm SD Worx, based on data from the National Social Security Office, shows.
By the end of September 2024, the sector recorded a 4.5% increase in both flexi-jobs (meant for people who already have a job or are retired but still want to work and earn extra money on favourable terms) and student jobs, while permanent positions grew by an impressive 8.3% compared to the same period last year.
“Using flexi-jobs and student workers to manage peaks in demand doesn’t come at the expense of permanent employment in the hospitality sector,” noted SD Worx. Over the past decade, the number of permanent employees in hospitality has increased by 25%, reaching over 150,000.
SD Worx also reported a 9% increase in hours worked by permanent staff during the busy summer months of July, August, and September, while student workers logged 2% more hours than during the same period in 2023. Flexi-job workers maintained the same number of hours as the previous year.
Looking at long-term trends, the number of permanent employees in the hospitality sector has risen sharply, from 120,687 at the end of 2013 to 150,830 by the end of 2023. The number of hospitality businesses also saw substantial growth, increasing from 22,575 to 26,748 over the same period, representing an 18.5% rise. However, the growth in employment (+25%) outpaced the rise in the number of businesses.
SD Worx emphasised that this increase in employment has been consistent, with only one significant drop during the first quarter of 2021, the second year of the COVID-19 pandemic. At that time, the number of employers dropped dramatically, and permanent jobs hit a historic low of 103,479.
A bartender pours a beer during the opening of the 'Belgian Beer Weekend 2024' beer festival at the Grand-Place square in the city center of Brussels © BELGA PHOTO JASPER JACOBS