The employment structure of a country is determined by the percentage of the workforce employed in each of the four types of activity: primary activities (industry), secondary activities (industry), tertiary activities (industry) and quaternary activities (industry).
Primary Industry
Extracts raw materials from the earth or sea, and employs, for example, farmers, fisherman and forestry workers.
There are five main primary activities: farming, fishing, forestry, mining and oil and natural gas drilling.
Employs millions of people worldwide and are the economic activities that formed the foundation of ancient economies.
Secondary Industry
Makes raw materials into goods, and employs, for example, bakes and car-factory works.
Also known as the manufacturing industry.
Manufacturing usually takes place in a factory, which could be located on a business park.
The products that are made include electrical items, cars, furniture and clothes and include industries such as oil refining and food processing or packaging.
Tertiary Industry
Sells goods or provides a service, and employs, for example, doctors, lawyers and bankers.
Also known as the service industry.
Those employed in tertiary activities sell or retail products manufactured by secondary industries to the public in shops such as supermarkets, department stores and high street chain stores.
Tertiary workers can also provide services to the public, including free services (paid by tax) such as the police, fire or health service, or private service such as entertainment, tourism or finance.
Quaternary Industry
Research and development into high-tech goods, which employs, for example, research scientists.
Also known as the knowledge-based industry.
Scientists research products such as medicines.
The information industries and consultancy are also sometimes included in this category.
Developing Countries (Low Income Countries, LIC)
Has a different employment structure to that if a developed country.
Many more people work in primary activities, such as subsistence farmers or in mining or fishing.
Secondary industry has increased over the last 50 years as companies have taken advantage of the cheaper labour in developing countries to decrease their costs and increase their profits.
Due to fewer education facilities the majority of the population may not possess the skills required for employment in tertiary industries.
As the population is poor, it is less able to afford tertiary products and services, resulting in a reduced market for these services.
Developed Countries (High Income Countries, HIC)
Less people work in primary activities as mechanisation has meant that less workers are required in the agricultural and mining industries. Also, much food is imported into developed countries.
Many people work in tertiary activities as the population has disposable income to spend on leisure and services, and in shops.
More taxes are collected by the government which means that more doctors, nurses, teachers can be employed.
More people employed in quaternary industries as more money is available for research and development. Due to the education facilities people posses the skills required for employment.