Difference Between Primary, Secondary and Tertiary

Sectors
The primary, secondary and tertiary sectors represent various business types and the goods
they procure and sell in an economic setup. Each sector is interdependent on the other so that
the economy as a whole functions properly and efficiently.

The primary sector is where the materials for the secondary sector are gathered. In the
secondary sector, the product is then made into consumable item(s) which is then distributed by
the tertiary sector.

Economists such as AGB Fisher and Colin Clark were the supporters of these models in the
early 20th century

As this article will highlight the key differences between the primary, secondary and tertiary
sectors, candidates writing the IAS Exam this year will find it useful.
The differences between the three sectors are given in the table below:

Differences between Primary, Secondary and Tertiary Sector

Primary Sector Secondary Sector Tertiary Sector

It is known as the It is known as the It is known as the service

agricultural and allied manufacturing sector sector
sector services

This sector provides This sector transforms The tertiary sector provides
raw materials for goods one good into another useful services for the
and services by creating more utility primary and secondary
from it sectors

The primary sector is The secondary sector is This sector is well organized
unorganized and uses organized and uses and uses modern-day
traditional techniques better methods of logistics techniques to
production perform its functions

Activities in this sector It includes Banking, insurance trade nad

consist of agriculture, manufacturing units, communications come under
forestry and mining small scale units, large this sector
firms and multinational
corporations

In most developing The employment rate is This sector’s employment

nations such as India, in equilibrium as a share has increased in the
this sector is where a specialized set of skills ensuing years
large section of the is required to find
workforce is employed, employment in this
in comparison to sector
developed nations