Sectors of the Economy
Primary, secondary and tertiary sectors
Sectors of the Economy
The economy is divided into three sectors. Primary sector extracts raw materials (mining, farming, fishing). Secondary sector manufactures products (factories). Tertiary sector provides services (shops, banks, teachers). SA's economy has shifted from primary to tertiary over time.
Example
Economic Sectors in SA
Primary (raw materials): gold mining, wheat farming, fishing, forestry
Secondary (manufacturing): car factories, food processing, clothing
Tertiary (services): banking, retail, tourism, education, healthcare
SA sector contribution to GDP:
Primary: ~10% (declining)
Secondary: ~20%
Tertiary: ~70% (growing — services dominate)
Note
Remember
As countries develop, the tertiary sector usually grows. SA still depends on mining (primary) for exports but services employ the most people. All three sectors are linked — mining produces materials that factories process into goods that shops sell.
Key Vocabulary
Primary sectorIndustries that extract raw materials from nature
Secondary sectorIndustries that manufacture products from raw materials
Tertiary sectorIndustries that provide services
SectorA distinct part of the economy
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Primary sector
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