diensteneconomie

diensteneconomie, or service economy, denotes an economic structure in which services account for the majority of GDP and employment. It encompasses a broad range of activities, including professional and business services, finance and insurance, information and communications, healthcare, education, hospitality, transportation, retail, and public administration. In a diensteneconomie, value creation stems largely from knowledge, networks, customer relations, brands, and other intangibles rather than from the production of tangible goods.

Historically, many advanced economies shifted from manufacturing to services from the mid-20th century onward. Drivers include automation in goods production, globalization, rising income and demand for services, and rapid digitalization. High-value services such as software, consulting, research, financial services, and healthcare have expanded, while some traditional sectors contract.

Key features include a strong reliance on skilled labor, knowledge intensity, and information technology; variation in productivity across sub-sectors; and the growing importance of services trade, cross-border data flows, and platforms. The service sector tends to be more labor-intensive and can respond quickly to changing consumer preferences, but productivity growth varies and is often harder to measure.

Policy considerations focus on education and training, digital infrastructure, innovation support, and regulatory frameworks that facilitate service provision and trade while protecting workers and consumers. Overall, the diensteneconomie reflects a shift toward intangible assets, specialization in knowledge-based activities, and the central role of services in modern economies.