Economic Sectors (Cambridge International IGCSE Geography)

Spec point — 3.1.3 · Classify production into different sectors & give illustrations of each

Economic Sectors

• An economic activity is the production, purchase or selling of goods and services

• Economic activities can be grouped into four sectors:

  • Primary - mining, fishing, farming etc.
  • Secondary - factory workers, clothing, steel production etc.
  • Tertiary - nurses, lawyers, teachers, shop assistants, chefs
  • Quaternary - hi-tech scientists, research and development

Worked Example Identify what is meant by an economic sector

[1 mark]

A. The chain of production in manufacturing

B. An economic shift in employment

C. A classification of types of employment

D. A classification of employment structures

Solution

• The correct answer is C [1 mark].
• The alternate answers are incorrect as they are not related to employment sectors, which are the four groups: primary, secondary, tertiary and quaternary

Exam Hint Remember, the economic sectors can also be used to group employment types. For example, a farmer is employed in the primary sector, whereas a teacher is employed in the tertiary sector.