The global employment to population ratio was registered at 59.74%, in 2009. The ratio
declined during the global recession of 2008 (in 2008, the employment to population
ratio was 60.36%), but since 2010, the number has been improving steadily. Between
2011 and 2014, the employment to population ratio remained largely unchanged.
These numbers are indicative of the positive economic development across countries.
Many drivers contribute to the growth of the global soy and milk protein ingredients
market. The growing awareness about the health benefits of soy-based foods and
increasing focus on low-fat and fiber-rich diets are the major drivers for the market. The
growing vegan population is also driving the market.
Despite the many growth drivers, the market faces challenges that could impede the
growth over the coming years. The main challenges are the negative image of soybased
food products in terms of their taste and textures and the wide availability of
substitute products. Another major challenge is the increasing lactose-intolerant
population, which may affect the growth of the global milk protein ingredients market.