Definition of Secondary Sector

To better understand the economic activity as a whole, a scheme in which the different sectors of the economy. There are three large sectors: primary, secondary and tertiary. Is classification It is very useful to understand the complexity of the economy and its many aspects and variables.

The primary sector is one that is dedicated to obtaining raw materials from nature. It includes the following activities: agriculture, livestock, fishing, hunting and, ultimately, all those that have direct contact with the natural environment.

The secondary sector is one that, taking as a reference the products obtained in the primary sector, develops an industry. It is also considered that building and mining are its own activities.

The tertiary sector deals with commercial activity and services.

There have always been these three sectors, and already in ancient times the economy had these three branches or tendencies. But it was from the Industrial Revolution from the 18th century when the secondary sector began to develop. With the appearance of a new technology (the steam engine is the symbol of this stage) and new

Energy sources, the human being started large factories where all kinds of products were made. Machinery replaced labor, which has gradually been reduced. Thanks to its capacity for transformation, the industrial sector and its variants have not stopped growing since then. Technology has been the engine of the secondary sector.

An example can be valid to understand the relationship between the three areas. The wood is extracted from the trees, which goes to a lumber industry where furniture is prepared that, finally, ends up in a commercial establishment where the consumer can purchase a good (a kitchen cabinet, for example ).

For the economy of a country to function properly and within balanced parameters, analysts agree on the importance of the secondary sector. It is key in many ways: for exports, the investigation, employment, etc.

The secondary sector is constantly evolving and today it is affirmed that we are in a post-industrial stage, where the traditional industry has less and less relevance. Industry is no longer the main axis of economic activity, but services are the new engine. This situation is framed within the globalization, the current model of the economy.

Topics in Secondary Sector