Primary, Secondary, and Tertiary Sectors: Economic Activities

Primary Sector: Agriculture and Raw Materials

The primary or agricultural sector consists of economic activities related to the transformation of natural resources into unprocessed primary products. These primary products are often used as raw materials in industrial production. The main activities of the primary sector are agriculture, mining, livestock, forestry, apiculture, aquaculture, fishing, and hunting. Industrial processes that are limited to packing, preparation, or purification of natural resources are often considered part of the primary sector as well, especially if the product is difficult to transport long distances under normal conditions. The primary sector is often a significant part of developing countries' economies.

Secondary Sector: Manufacturing and Industry

The secondary sector is the set of activities that involve the processing of food and raw materials through various, more productive processes. Usually included in this sector are the steel industry, engineering, chemicals, textiles, production of consumer goods, computer hardware, etc. Construction, though it is considered part of the secondary sector, is often treated separately; its importance gives it its own entity. It includes all economic activities in a country related to food processing industries and other types of goods or merchandise. It is a part of economic activity. The various processes are increasingly automated. The secondary sector also includes what is sometimes referred to as "blue-collar" work, such as the work of a mechanic, electrician, etc. It is currently the second most utilized sector, below the tertiary and quaternary sectors.

Tertiary Sector: Services and Intangible Goods

The service sector or tertiary sector is the economic sector that encompasses all those activities that do not produce tangible goods directly but offer services to meet the needs of the population. It includes sub-sectors such as trade, transport, communications, finance, tourism, hospitality, leisure, culture, entertainment, government, and so-called public services, whether provided by the state or the private sector (health, education, dependency care, etc.). It directs, organizes, and facilitates the production activity of the other sectors (primary and secondary sectors). Although it is considered a sector of production, its main role is in the next two steps of economic activity: distribution and consumption. The predominance of the tertiary sector compared to the other two in more developed economies can be described as the outsourcing process. This sector is predominant in Spain; a higher tertiary sector includes all activities that require technology or science.