Investing in the future of jobs and skills : Scenarios, implications and options in anticipation of future skills and knowledge needs ; Sector Report - Furniture

Total employment for the sector aggregate Furniture and other industries amounted to 2,007,000 persons in 2006 in the EU. Almost three-fourth of employment was concentrated in the furniture sector. The jewellery sector accounted for 6% of total employment. Two-third of employment in furniture is still in the ‘old’ Member States, with Germany being ranked first followed by Poland, Italy, and Spain. Overall speaking, employment in the sector shifted gradually but consistently from Western to Central and Eastern Europe over the last decade.