Industristruktur

Industristruktur refers to the composition of an economy’s activity across its productive sectors, typically categorized into primary (agriculture and extractive activities), secondary (manufacturing and construction), and tertiary (services), with some analyses extending to quaternary activities such as information and research. It describes how output and employment are distributed among these sectors and how this distribution evolves over time.

The industrial structure of an economy changes through structural transformation, driven by technological progress, capital deepening, trade, urbanization, and policy. As countries develop, labor and resources shift from low-productivity sectors toward higher-productivity ones. Historically, many economies moved from agriculture to manufacturing and finally toward services, though the specific path varies by country and period. In advanced economies, services often dominate value added and employment, while manufacturing remains important for exports, employment in certain regions, and productivity spillovers.

Measurement of industristruktur relies on sectoral shares of gross domestic product, employment, or value added, and may be complemented by indicators of productivity, capital intensity, and regional concentration. The regional dimension highlights specialization patterns, clustering, and disparities between urban and rural areas. Structural indicators help assess resilience to shocks and long-term growth potential, but they can obscure intrasector heterogeneity and the dynamic nature of modern economies.

Policy relevance centers on diversification, modernization, and the management of structural change. Industrial policy, workforce upgrading, and regional development aim to smooth transitions and reduce unemployment or skill mismatches. Critics warn that rigid sector classifications may mask ongoing structural shifts, and that policy should align with global value chains and evolving comparative advantages.