Sectors of industry

primary, secondary, tertiary and quaternary

primary sector

The primary sector of industry is concerned with the extraction of raw materials or natural resources from the land. Any business that grows goods or extracts materials from the land would be classed as a primary sector business.

Examples of businesses that operate in the primary sector would be farming, mining, fishing or oil production.

secondary sector

The secondary sector of industry is concerned with manufacturing. This would involve taking the raw materials from the primary sector and converting them into new products.

Examples of businesses that operate in the secondary sector would be car manufacturers, food production or building companies.

tertiary sector

The tertiary sector of industry is concerned with providing a service. Services are activities that are done by people or businesses for consumers.

Examples of businesses that operate in the tertiary sector would be hairdressers, banks, supermarkets or cinemas.

quaternary sector

The quaternary sector consists of those industries providing information services, such as computing, ICT (information and communication technologies), consultancy (offering advice to businesses) and R&D (research, particularly in scientific fields).

The quaternary sector is sometimes included with the tertiary sector, as they are both service sectors. The tertiary and quaternary sectors make up the largest part of the UK economy, employing 76 per cent of the workforce.The quaternary sector consists of those industries providing information services, such as computing, ICT (information and communication technologies), consultancy (offering advice to businesses) and R&D (research, particularly in scientific fields).

The quaternary sector is sometimes included with the tertiary sector, as they are both service sectors. The tertiary and quaternary sectors make up the largest part of the UK economy, employing 76 per cent of the workforce.