O tertiary sector and the sector of the economy formed by commerce and services. The activities included in this segment are those in which there is direct or indirect exchange between people, involving the commercialization of products and goods derived from the primary and secondary sectors and the provision of essential services, such as cleaning, education, transport and security, by example. The tertiary sector also encompasses communications, financial services and tourism, and has experienced rapid growth both in Brazil and around the world.
Read too: Agriculture — one of the main economic activities of the primary sector
Summary about the tertiary sector
Tertiary sector is the segment of the economy that brings together trade activities and the provision of services.
The activities of this sector of the economy are characterized by the exchange of goods, products and services directly or indirectly between people.
Supermarkets, schools, telemarketing services, cleaning services, shopping centers, banks, hotels and tourism agencies are just some examples of activities in the tertiary sector.
The tertiary sector is important for economic development and the maintenance of society.
As in the global economic scenario, the tertiary sector has grown significantly in Brazil. Today, it already accounts for more than 61% of the national GDP.
What is the tertiary sector?
The tertiary sector is one of the segments into which economic activities are divided. It is made up of all types of commercial activities and services that are provided to society, which is why it is also called the trade and services sector. The tertiary sectoris currently the main sector of the world economy and of the economy Brazilian, in addition to being the most diverse of them.
Main characteristics of the tertiary sector
The tertiary sector can be characterized as the most comprehensive and most diverse segments of the economy. The economic activities that make up this sector are those that involve to theexchanges that take place through relationship established directly or indirectly between people, whether for the sale of goods or the provision of a certain type of service. In the first case, the products that are sold by the tertiary sector originate in the primary sector (agricultural and extractive activities) or in secondary sector (industrial activity).
Activities present in the tertiary sector are of great importance for the development of other areas, being maintenance or complementary works, which are part of the production circuit of the sectors primary or secondary, as in the case of sales, logistics and transport services, for example example.
Services provided in the tertiary sector of the economy not only complete the other segments, but also play a fundamental role in society, as we will see below.
Tertiary sector activities
The tertiary sector is made up of essential activities for society, including the sale of goods and products derived from the primary and secondary sectors and also the performance of individual or collective services, both in the public and private spheres. Check out examples of activities and establishments within the tertiary sector of the economy:
daycare centers, schools and universities;
banks and other financial services;
urban services;
cleaning and maintenance (electricians, plumbers, bricklayers and other service providers);
shopping centers and shopping centers;
supermarkets, grocery stores and bakeries;
hotels and all other activities associated with tourism;
restaurants, bars and snack bars;
logistics and transport;
telemarketing and customer service services;
public administration;
defense and security.
See too:Mining — one of the main economic activities in the secondary sector
Why is the tertiary sector important?
The tertiary sector concentrates the largest number of activities and jobs nmost countries around the planet, especially emerging countries and developed countries. The activities carried out there contribute significantly to the economy of the territories, and, in most cases, it corresponds to the main sector contributing to its GDP (Gross Domestic Product). Thus, the tertiary sector has great economic importance in a global context of the economy.
This sector brings together fundamental responsibilities for the maintenance of society and for guaranteeing the dynamism of various production chains in the primary and secondary sectors of the economy. As we have seen, the tertiary sector includes public administration activities, transport, urban cleaning, finance, sales, education and other areas of activity that are the basis for the economic and social development of the entire country or territory.
Development of the tertiary sector
Tertiary sector activities have always been part of the development process of the economy and territories throughout the world, especially when considering the importance that trade exchanges had in different periods historical. At the moment, O sector tertiary is the main segment of the world economy and, according to recent data from the International Monetary Fund (IMF), contributes approximately 65% of global GDP.
The improvement of technology and the advent of globalization, which began the period that became known as the information age, proportionplow onethe greater intensity of flows of goods, capital and people throughout the world, which resulted in a leap in development in the tertiary sector. The scale of commerce was expanded, at the same time that new jobs were created according to today's new demands.
In addition to services in the fields of technology and telecommunications, tourism is todaythe activity that has most driven the growth of the tertiary sector of the economy. The demand for trips and tourist itineraries grew especially after the pandemic of covid-19, which required a break of almost three years in tourist activities on an international scale.
Tertiary sector in Brazil
The tertiary sector is the main sector of the Brazilian economy today. information IBGE for the year 2020 show that, considering commerce, services and public administration, this segment accounted for approximately 61.5% of Brazil's GDP in the year considered.
Following a global trend, the participation of the tertiary sector in the national economy has grown rapidly in recent decades, especially from the second half of the 20th century. Several factors contributed to this movement, such as the rapid process of urbanization It is industrialization, which created new demands for services in cities.
Not only that, but urban macrocephaly, the lack of better job opportunities and economic crises have driven many people into informal work, which is part of the tertiary sector.
Solved exercises on the tertiary sector
Question 1
(UFV)
In most underdeveloped countries, the various activities of the tertiary sector occupy a relatively large portion very important part of the total active population (...), in reality the tertiary sector in these countries appears clearly hypertrophied.
(Adapted from: LACOSTE, Yves. Geography of underdevelopment. São Paulo: Difel, 1966.)
Of the statements below, regarding hypertrophy of the tertiary sector, select the TRUE one:
A) In underdeveloped countries, the tertiary sector is hypertrophied, as it occupies a large part of the active population, being made up of professionals with a high level of qualification and specialization.
B) In underdeveloped countries, the hypertrophy of the tertiary sector occurs due to the high number of people employed in this sector, which shows its importance in the development of these countries.
C) In underdeveloped countries, the growth of the tertiary sector is basically due to the increase in unemployment in the primary and secondary sectors and underemployment.
D) In underdeveloped countries, the increase in the tertiary sector indicates great economic development, as this sector is equally large in developed countries.
E) In underdeveloped countries, the tertiary sector is hypertrophied because it is larger than in developed countries.
Resolution:
Alternative C.
The reason for the growth of the tertiary sector in underdeveloped countries It is, above all, unemployment in industry and the primary sector and the increase in underemployment or informal jobs.
Question 2
(UEG) Among the sources of tax collection in the state of Goiás, the largest percentage comes from the Tax on Circulation of Goods (ICMS).
Based on the data in the table presented, it can be seen that:
A) the primary sector of the economy is the largest responsible for collecting ICMS in the state of Goiás.
B) the service sector of the economy is the largest responsible for collecting ICMS in the state of Goiás.
C) the secondary sector represented 35% of ICMS collection in 2017, in the state of Goiás.
D) in 2017, the tertiary sector contributed around 20% of the state's ICMS collection.
E) total ICMS collection grew between 2015 and 2017 by around 15% per year.
Resolution:
Alternative B.
An analysis of the numbers in the table allows us to conclude that the sum of revenue from activities in the sector tertiary sector, such as commerce, communications and service provision, is greater than the revenue from the primary and secondary.
