Primary sector of the economy

What is the primary sector? The primary sector is concerned with the extraction of raw materials. It includes fishing, farming and mining.

primary-sector

In less developed economies, the primary sector will comprise the biggest part of the economy. Typically as an economy develops, increased labour productivity will enable workers to leave the agricultural sector and move to other sectors, such as manufacturing and the service sector.

  • In the UK, about 3% of the labour force is engaged in agricultural production.
  • In the UK, agriculture, mining and extractive industries account for around 12% of GDP
  • Manufacturing is about 10%, and the service sector 78%. (UK GDP stats, weights)

Examples of primary sector

coal-miners

  • Farming
  • Fishing
  • Coal mining
  • Forestry and logging,
  • Oil extraction,
  • Diamond mining.
sheep-farming
Sheep farming. A small share of the UK’s GDP

Issues of the primary sector

  • Export revenue. Making use of natural resources can be a way for an economy to gain income and export revenue. The sale of oil, gas and other natural resources have enriched many developing economies enabling them to gain capital to invest in public services within the economy. Some oil-rich countries have successfully used the increase in revenue to save for the future, e.g. Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Norway.
  • Monopoly power. One problem with relying on the primary sector is that often wealth becomes inequitably distributed. For example, a small number of firms gain monopoly power over the production of raw materials and pay workers only a small fraction of the revenue gained. Many developing countries in Africa have remained poor, despite being rich in raw materials. A large primary sector is not sufficient on its own to lead to economic development.
  • Volatility. Primary products are liable to be volatile in both price and output. Commodities, such as oil and foodstuffs can see large swings in price. Demand is quite price inelastic. If prices fall, then countries which are based on one particular industry can see a large fall in revenue, causing problems. The EU retains significant support for EU agriculture through subsidies and price support.
  • Dutch Disease’ If primary products are very profitable, then the resources will be diverted away from other manufacturing industries and concentrated on just primary industries. The problem is that when the raw materials run out or the industry declines, the economy lacks a broad diversification. This can be known as the ‘Dutch disease’ or resource curse.
  • Deindustrialisation. In developed economies we have seen a decline in primary sectors, as they take a smaller share of the economy, this can lead to structural unemployment for a period.
    employment-uk-coal At its peak, the UK coal industry used to employ 1.2 million workers in this coal extraction. (the 1920s).

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46 thoughts on “Primary sector of the economy”

  1. would education fall into this category. i know its a service so it belongs in tertiary. but isnt knowledge a raw material of sorts. so wouldnt a college fall in to the first three sectors

    Reply
    • What is the main source or roots of education. That would fall into Primary Sector , but education itself wont fall into primary sector.

      Reply
    • There’s point in your statement.
      As a result, it’ll be in-encompassing to classify the educational sector as primary or secondary or tertiary as it’s a three-way sector which involves the specialized art of extracting, refining and giving (service).
      Hence, education and it’s allies- research, technological development, training, etc -are collectively classified as Quaternary Sector.

      Reply
      • Education is a teriary sector activity because it involves the use of the intellect, wich is a typical characteristic of a service.

        Reply
      • Emenogu, leave education where it is classified and go back in time and think.
        The primitive man’s primary concern was to feed himself, so hunted and discovered seeds; then to improve the coverings on his body he used the hide to cover his body- the ‘ pomo’ you eat now. To catch fast and dangerous animals he needed metal spears, first used stone to sharpen the wood then he stumbled on metal like iron so he made spear first, then strapnails or knife, then hoe. He could engage in Agriculture. As he was tilling he discovered other Hiden metals underground- You call this mining. With sharp spear he could harpoon fishes in the water. That’s your fishing. In all of these he did not go to any school, college or university. He was starkly uneducated.

        Reply
    • College falls into both Tertiary and Quaternary as it is out to make a profit and gives information however is still education based. Tertiary: Providing services, Quaternary: Providing information.

      Reply
  2. I have a question – If people starts moving to Industrial and Service sectors then who will take up Agriculture ? as we all know agriculture is important to feed the people . please reply

    Reply
    • The old farmers who were working in agriculture and who are well experienced in primary sector they will be promoted to secondary sector and the government will take new farmers to do agriculture,this process will be going on.

      Reply
    • The people who make your phones, iPads, iPods, your aeroplanes, computers will go into farming as well. Agriculture is the only sector left for you because you are there and that’s all you can do. If you leave that sector they will take all. Want to do that, or want to reverse position with the manufacturers or share with them?

      Reply
    • In my opinion food is the important source of all this sectors….If 90 percent move to service or industrial sector….The remaining 5 percent will be in agriculture and 5 percent people are job less….They will get job opportunities in agriculture and therefore it will increase the job opportunities and development! ! 😊

      Reply
  3. Can anyone assist me on how the primary sector would apply to a cosmetics company? I have to write a report and define the objectives in different sectors of economy.

    Thanks

    Reply

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