Employment structure

Different sectors of economy

Different sectors of economy

• Primary

• Secondary

• Tertiary

• Quaternary (relatively new)

Primary

Involves activities related to the extraction and production of natural resources. This includes agriculture, forestry, fishing, mining, and quarrying. Workers in this sector are involved in activities such as farming, logging, fishing, and mining.

Secondary

Involves activities related to manufacturing and construction. This includes manufacturing industries such as automotive, electronics, textiles, chemicals, and machinery, as well as construction companies involved in building infrastructure and real estate development.

Tertiary

Industries that provide various services to individuals and businesses. This includes sectors such as retail, hospitality, healthcare, education, finance, transportation, information technology, telecommunications, and professional services (e.g., legal, accounting, consulting).

Types of jobs in the different sections of the employment structure

1. Primary Sector Employment: This includes jobs related to the extraction and production of natural resources. Industries such as agriculture, forestry, fishing, mining, and quarrying fall under this category. In economies with a large primary sector, a significant portion of the workforce is engaged in activities related to farming, mining, or fishing.

2. Secondary Sector Employment: This comprises jobs in manufacturing and construction. Industries such as automotive, electronics, textiles, chemicals, machinery, and construction fall under this category. Secondary sector employment reflects the level of industrialization and manufacturing activity within an economy.

3. Tertiary Sector Employment: The tertiary sector, also known as the service sector, includes jobs in service-based industries that provide various services to individuals and businesses. This sector encompasses a wide range of industries such as retail, hospitality, healthcare, education, finance, transportation, information technology, and professional services.

Informal sector

The informal sector includes jobs that are not regulated or protected by the government and often involve informal arrangements and low levels of job security. This sector includes activities such as street vending, domestic work, small-scale enterprises, and self-employment. Informal sector employment is common in developing economies and urban areas with high levels of unemployment and underemployment.