- Definition
An economic sector is a group of businesses that do similar things, like farming (primary), manufacturing (secondary), or providing services (tertiary).
Farming, which involves growing food from the earth, is part of the primary economic sector.
How to teach this in 30 seconds
Try this analogy: An economic sector is like a big team where everyone does a similar kind of job, like growing food, making things, or helping people.
Ask your child: Think about your lunch. What different kinds of jobs helped get it to your table?
Common mix-up: Kids may think the economy is just about stores and money. An economic sector shows that jobs also include growing things, making things, and providing services.
Examples
- A car factory is in the secondary sector because it takes metal and plastic and makes something new.
- A teacher or a bus driver works in the tertiary sector, providing a service instead of making a physical thing.
economic sector is a term used in Ontario’s Kindergarten to Grade 8 curriculum.
Where this shows up
The descriptions on this page are SmartStudy’s own original, plain-language writing — not the Ministry’s wording. They are aligned to the Ontario Curriculum, © King’s Printer for Ontario. For the Ministry’s official wording, see the source link below. SmartStudy is an independent service and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by the Government of Ontario or the Ministry of Education. Ontario Curriculum and Resources ↗
