Quaternary sector of the economy

The quaternary sector of the economy is based upon the economic activity that is associated with either
the intellectual or knowledge-based economy.[1] This consists of information technology; media; research
and development; information-based services such as information-generation and information-sharing; and
knowledge-based services such as consultation, education, financial planning, blogging, and designing.[2]
Other definitions describe the quaternary sector as pure services.[3] This may consist of the entertainment
industry, to describe media and culture, and government. This may be classified into an additional quinary
sector.

The term reflects the analysis of the three-sector model of the economy, in which the primary sector
produces raw materials used by the secondary sector to produce goods, which are then distributed to
consumers by the tertiary sector.

Contrary to this implied sequence, however, the quaternary sector does not process the output of the tertiary
sector. It has only limited and indirect connections to the industrial economy characterized by the three-
sector model.

In a modern economy, the generation, analysis and dissemination of information is important enough to
warrant a separate sector instead of being a part of the tertiary sector. This sector evolves in well-developed
countries where the primary and secondary sectors are a minority of the economy, and requires a highly
educated workforce.[4]

For example, the tertiary and quaternary sectors form the largest part of the UK economy, employing 76%
of the workforce.

See also
Indigo Era

References
1. "Economic Activity" (https://www.economicactivity.org/2017/07/quaternary-sector.html).
Quaternary sector: definition, background, examples.
2. Peter Busch. "Tacit Knowledge in Organizational Learning". Tacit Knowledge in
Organizational Learning.
3. "Economic Development" (https://economicsectordevelopment.weebly.com/quaternary-sect
or.html). Economic Development. Weebly.
4. "ICTs, industry and the new teacher model" (https://web.archive.org/web/20120730183257/h
ttp://asiancorrespondent.com/30277/icts-industry-and-the-new-teacher-model/). Asian
Correspondent. 2010-06-17. Archived from the original (http://us.asiancorrespondent.com/Q
UT/icts-industry-and-the-new-teacher-model) on July 30, 2012. Retrieved 2015-09-09. "In
Australia, the service sector accounts for 70 per cent of the country's economic activity.
Within the service sector, however, more intellectual activities such as government,
education, culture and media, can be further defined as the 'quaternary' sector of the
 economy. These activities are typically not measured in monetary value but they significantly
contribute to the economy."

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Quaternary_sector_of_the_economy&oldid=1152937743"