Sectordata

Sectordata is the collection and organization of quantitative information by economic sector or industry. It encompasses measurements that attribute economic activity, resources, and outcomes to defined sectors such as agriculture, manufacturing, construction, services, and information technology. In practice, sectordata is used to analyze how different sectors contribute to an economy, compare performance over time, and inform policy and business decisions.

Sector classifications provide the backbone for sectordata. Common frameworks include international standard industrial classifications such as ISIC and NAICS, as well as national adaptations. Sectoral breakdowns appear in national accounts, GDP by sector, employment by sector, output, productivity, and energy or environmental indicators.

Data sources include official statistical offices, international organizations, and private data providers. Data are organized in datasets, tables, and databases with sector labels, time series, geographic granularity (national, regional), and sometimes value types (current prices, constant prices).

Key measures include sectoral GDP share and growth, value added, employment, hours worked, and productivity. Sectoral input-output tables map inter-industry relationships, while energy intensity by sector assesses environmental impact. Accessibility varies; some data are public, others require licensing.

Applications include macroeconomic analysis, policy evaluation, market research, and risk analysis in supply chains. Sector data support forecasting, scenario planning, and regional development planning.

Limitations include inconsistent classifications across countries, revisions to data, lag between observation and release, and difficulties measuring informal or emerging sectors. Harmonization efforts and standardized classifications aim to improve comparability.

See also: National accounts, ISIC, NAICS, Sectoral energy data, Input-output tables, Economic indicators.