Impacts of Economic Sectors (Edexcel IGCSE Geography)

The UK is in the post-industrial stage of the Clark-Fisher model

It was the first country to experience the Industrial Revolution

In the 1800s jobs in primary economic activities were rapidly declining reaching 15% in 1900

In 1900 most people (over 60%) worked in secondary economic activities and tertiary economic activities were also steadily increasing

In the 1950s tertiary economic activities overtook secondary economic activities as the main employment sector

In 2021 over 70% of people in the UK are employed in tertiary economic activities

These changes have both positive and negative impacts

Deindustrialisation has led to improvements in the environment and decreased levels of pollution

The UK has developed expertise in secondary and tertiary economic activities which are in demand around the world

London is the second most important financial centre in the world after New York

Deindustrialisation led to high numbers of job losses particularly in the north of the UK

Job losses in secondary industries led to large areas of deprivation, especially in inner cities such as Liverpool and Leeds

Increasing numbers of transnational corporations (TNCs) have moved their factories and offices to emerging and developing countries

China is in the industrial stage of the Clark-Fisher model

In 1950 over 80% of the population were employed in primary economic activities - mainly agriculture

In 1978 China opened up to trade with the rest of the world and invested heavily in manufacturing

By 2005 primary economic sector employment had dropped below 50% and most people were employed in secondary and tertiary economic activities

In 2020 tertiary economic activity employment was increasingly important

Improved incomes and higher standard of living

More investment in education and health services

Increased investment by transnational corporations (TNCs)

Investment in roads, airports, ports and other infrastructure

Increasing gap between regions as some area's economies grow more rapidly

Increased gap between rich and poor, particularly in the gap between wealthier urban residents and poorer rural residents

Air, water and noise pollution all increased 

Increased reliance on fossil fuels to supply energy which makes China one of the world's largest CO₂ emitters

Kenya is in the pre-industrial stage of the Clark-Fisher model

Over 50% of the population are currently employed in agriculture, this has decreased from over 60% in 2010

There is very little secondary economic activity due to a lack of resources and infrastructure

Tertiary economic activities have rapidly increased  - much of this is related to tourism

Improved incomes and higher standard of living

More investment in education and health

Increased investment by transnational corporations (TNCs)

Investment in roads, airports, ports and other infrastructure

Increased rural-urban migration which leads to the development of informal settlements

Increased gap between rich and poor, particularly in gap between wealthier urban residents and poorer rural residents

Much of the profits from commercial farming and tourism go to TNCs rather than local people

Jobs in the tertiary economic sector are often low-paid jobs in tourism

Increased tourism can have negative impacts on the environment and animal habitats