In the past the primary sector had its growth and now it is in decline, after the industrial revolution the secondary sector was in growth and now it is in decline.
Industries in other parts of the world have become more competitive and imported raw materials like coal has become cheaper, a s cheaper raw materials have become available a fall is seen in the UK for extraction of raw materials, this has led to a decline in the primary sector employment. In the uk there is a low percentage of people employed in the primary sector because machines and automation have taken over also the raw materials supply is diminishing. However, the “primary” sector is no longer primary in the 21st century. The productivity of this sector has declined in recent years partly because of the extinction of some ‘non-renewable’ resources such as agricultural land, oil, coal and other minerals. These mineral resources are limited in supply and in due course get completely used up. Finding new sources becomes very difficult and more expensive hence the importation of non-renewable resources from other countries.
The secondary sector has also declined because the cost of labour and safety standards have increased, there is also an increase in technology meaning machines replicate what 20 people can do in minutes. In other countries like China and India the labour is cheaper.
There has been a huge demand for work in the tertiary sector to include business and finance, retail, hospitals etc people leaving rural areas into cities for jobs.
Growth in the tertiary sector has occurred for many reasons people have more disposable income which is money left over after paying all their taxes and bills. This means people can spend their money on holidays, eating out, cinemas etc. The tertiary sector has less scope for automation than the primary and secondary sectors so workers cannot be easily replaced. The tertiary sector is the main growth area. Most people work in hospitals, schools, offices and financial services. Also, as people have more free time and become wealthier there is a greater demand for leisure services. Therefore more jobs become available in the tertiary sector.
Below is a chart which shows the changing employment structure in the uk from the 1800s to present day there is a huge decline in the primary and secondary sectors and rise in tertiary sector. Currently the uk has 82% population working in the tertiary sector and 15% in the seconday sector and around 3% in the primary sector.
