9.1.2

Changing Employment Structure

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Changing Employment Structures by Income Level

Employment in LICs, MICs and HICs shifts from primary to secondary and tertiary sectors as economies develop and income levels rise.

Illustrative background for Employment in Low-Income CountriesIllustrative background for Employment in Low-Income Countries ?? "content

Employment in Low-Income Countries

  • LICs have a high percentage of employment in the primary sector.
    • Many workers are involved in agriculture, fishing or mining.
  • Jobs tend to be informal and low-paid.
  • Limited access to education keeps employment in low-skill sectors.
  • LIC employment structures reflect subsistence and resource-based economies.
Illustrative background for Employment in Middle-Income Countries Illustrative background for Employment in Middle-Income Countries  ?? "content

Employment in Middle-Income Countries

  • MICs see a decline in primary sector jobs.
  • Secondary sector employment in manufacturing and industry expands.
    • Growth of factories creates new job opportunities.
  • Tertiary sector jobs begin to increase with urbanisation and services development.
    • MICs often experience rapid economic change and diversification.
Illustrative background for Employment in High-Income CountriesIllustrative background for Employment in High-Income Countries ?? "content

Employment in High-Income Countries

  • HICs have the smallest proportion of workers in primary sector jobs.
  • The majority of employment is in the tertiary sector (services).
  • Quaternary sector (knowledge-based) jobs grow in importance (e.g., IT, finance, research).
  • High levels of education support specialised and skilled employment.
  • Automation and technology reduce employment in manufacturing.
Illustrative background for Reasons for changing employment structures   Illustrative background for Reasons for changing employment structures    ?? "content

Reasons for changing employment structures

  • Economic development shifts focus from raw materials to manufacturing, then services.
  • Improvements in education increase skills and labour productivity.
  • Urbanisation changes the types of jobs available.
  • Technology and mechanisation reduce the need for primary sector workers.
  • Global trade influences employment trends across LICs, MICs, and HICs.
Illustrative background for Impact on societies Illustrative background for Impact on societies  ?? "content

Impact on societies

  • Employment shifts improve income and living standards.
  • Decline in primary sector jobs can lead to rural unemployment or migration.
  • Growth in service jobs changes social roles and urban lifestyles.
  • Changes in employment affect gender roles and family structures.
  • Governments must manage transitions to reduce social inequality.

Jump to other topics

1Paper 1 - Changing River Environnments

2Paper 1 - Changing Coastal Environments

3Paper 1 - Changing Ecosystems

4Paper 1 - Tectonic Hazards

5Paper 1 - Climate Change

6Paper 2 - Changing Populations

7Paper 2 - Changing Towns & Cities

8Paper 2 - Development

9Paper 2 - Changing Economies

10Paper 2 - Resource Provision

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