Sectors of activity

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There are three main sectors of activity:

Primary sector Secondary sector Tertiary sector

Sectors of activity

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The primary sector extracts or harvests products from the

earth. This sector includes the production of raw material

and basic foods.

Primary Sector

Activities:

Agriculture (both subsistence

and commercial);

Farming;

Grazing;

Hunting, gathering and fishing;

Mining, forestry and quarrying.

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The secondary sector manufactures finished goods. All activities of manufacturing, processing, and construction are included in this sector.

Secondary Sector

Activities:

Industry (automobile production,

textile production, chemical and

engineering industries, aerospace

manufacturing);

Construction (metal working and

smelting);

Water, gas and electricity

supplier.

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The tertiary sector is the service industry. This sector provides

services to the general population and to businesses.

Tertiary Sector

Activities:Healthcare;Education;Law;Banking and other financial services, Insurance;Transportation and distribution;Entertainment (movies, television, radio, music, theatre, etc.);Restaurants;media and tourism.

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The workforce includes all employed or unemployed

people. Employees are those that develop a paid activity

and unemployed are those that are available for work.

Activity rate represents the proportion of employees in

the total population. It varies for several reasons. For

example, the oldest the population, smaller will be the

activity rate. Another reason is the increase of years spent

in school that delay the entry in the market.

Workforce and Activity Rate

In the beginning of the nineteenth century, the main sector of

activity was the primary sector, but after the Industrial

Revolution, the secondary sector became more important.

In the beginning of the twentieth century, it grew the proportion

of workers devoted to the tertiary sector.

The main reasons are:

The technologic and scientific development

The significant increase of transportation activities, trade, development and research

The rise of new social activities.

Workforce and Sectors of Activity

The primary sector has more importance in

developing countries.

The secondary sector has more importance

in Eastern Asia and in developed countries.

The tertiary sector is the one that has more

importance in all countries, but especially in

developed countries.

Workforce and Sectors of Activity

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