Summary
Employment structures describe how jobs are distributed across different sectors in an economy, reflecting a country's development level. As countries develop, employment typically shifts from primary sectors towards tertiary and quaternary sectors.
- Primary Industries — Extract or harvest natural resources directly from the earth.
Example: Farming, fishing, mining. - Secondary Industries — Manufacture and process raw materials into finished products.
Example: Car manufacturing, textile factories. - Tertiary Industries — Provide services to businesses and consumers rather than goods.
Example: Retail, healthcare, tourism. - Quaternary Industries — Involve research, development, and information-based services.
Example: ICT development, scientific research. - Sectoral Shift — Transition from primary to tertiary dominance as countries develop.
Example: HICs have more jobs in tertiary/quaternary sectors. - Industrialisation — Development of manufacturing industries, moving workers from farms to factories.
Example: Urbanisation due to new factory jobs. - Mechanisation — Use of machinery replacing manual labour in agriculture and manufacturing.
Example: Tractors in farming reducing need for workers. - Deindustrialisation — Decline in traditional manufacturing in HICs.
Example: Factories relocating abroad. - Outsourcing — Relocating manufacturing to countries with lower labour costs.
Example: Factories moving to LICs and MICs.
Exam Tips
Key Definitions to Remember
- Primary Industries: Extract natural resources.
- Secondary Industries: Manufacture goods.
- Tertiary Industries: Provide services.
- Quaternary Industries: Knowledge-based services.
Common Confusions
- Confusing tertiary with quaternary industries.
- Misunderstanding sectoral shifts as only economic growth.
Typical Exam Questions
- What are primary industries?
Industries that extract natural resources. - Why do HICs have more tertiary jobs?
Due to advanced technology and service-based economies. - How does mechanisation affect employment?
Reduces need for manual labour in primary/secondary sectors.
What Examiners Usually Test
- Understanding of industry sectors and examples.
- Reasons for changes in employment structures.
- Factors influencing industrial location decisions.