Tjänstenäringar

Tjänstenäringar, often translated as service industries or the service sector, refers to the part of the economy that produces intangible goods and services, as opposed to tangible goods produced by the primary (agriculture, mining) and secondary (manufacturing, construction) sectors. This broad category encompasses a vast array of activities.

Examples of tjänstenäringar include retail and wholesale trade, transportation, accommodation and food services, information services, finance and insurance, real estate, professional and business services, public administration, education, healthcare, arts, entertainment, and recreation. The growth of tjänstenäringar is a common characteristic of developed economies, reflecting a shift from industrial production to service-based economies.

The increasing importance of the service sector is driven by various factors, including rising incomes leading to greater demand for services, technological advancements that enable new service offerings, and the outsourcing of services by businesses. Within the service sector, there is a further distinction between personal services, which are consumed by individuals, and business services, which support other businesses. The classification and measurement of tjänstenäringar are important for economic analysis and policy-making.