terziario

Terziario, or the tertiary sector, is the part of the economy that provides services rather than producing goods. In traditional three-sector theory, it is the third sector following primario (agriculture) and secondario (industry). The terziario encompasses a wide range of activities: wholesale and retail trade, transport and logistics, financial services, real estate and rental services, professional and business services (legal, accounting, consulting), information and communication, public administration, education, health and social care, and hospitality, culture and tourism, among others. It also includes utilities and other service activities linked to manufacturing.

In most advanced economies, the terziario represents the largest share of GDP and employment, a process known as tertiarisation. Its growth reflects factors such as urbanization, rising household incomes, technological change, and globalization, which have increased demand for services and enabled service trade and offshoring. The term is also used in development policy to describe the shift away from agriculture and industry toward services.

Some frameworks distinguish a higher, knowledge-based segment, sometimes called the quaternary sector, which includes research and development, information technology, and other high-value services. The terziario is monitored in national accounts and statistics to assess productivity, employment quality, and regional development. Policy considerations often focus on skills training, innovation, digital infrastructure, and regulation to foster service-sector growth while maintaining social protection.