Employment Sectors Labor Force by Country: Agriculture, Industry, and Services

Employment sectors are a key indicator of a country’s economic structure and development level. The global workforce is typically divided into three primary sectors: Agriculture, Industry, and Services. These sectors reflect the nature of economic activity in each country, from agriculture-driven economies to highly industrialized nations and service-based societies. Employment distribution across these sectors varies widely from one country to another, shaped by factors such as geography, natural resources, and economic policies.

This article presents a comprehensive view of employment sector composition by country, largely based on data from the World Bank and The World Factbook. By understanding where the majority of a country’s workforce is employed, we can gain insights into its economic priorities and development trajectory. Countries with a high percentage of workers in agriculture are typically developing economies, while those with a strong service sector often have advanced, diversified economies.

Full Table of Employment Sectors (%) by Country

Top 10 Countries with Highest Agriculture Employment

Countries with the highest percentage of their workforce in agriculture are largely located in developing regions, where agriculture remains the primary means of livelihood. The Falkland Islands top the list with 95% of its workforce engaged in agriculture, primarily due to its emphasis on sheep farming. African nations like Burundi, Burkina Faso, and Niger also rank high, where limited industrialization and economic opportunities drive a majority of the population to rely on farming. In these countries, agricultural activities often remain labor-intensive due to a lack of mechanization, reflecting the limited economic diversification typical in developing economies.

Top 10 Countries with Highest Industry Employment

The countries with the highest industrial employment are often those with strong manufacturing or natural resource extraction sectors. Qatar leads with 54% of its labor force in industry, largely due to its booming oil and gas industry. Western Sahara and Oman similarly rely on natural resources as a backbone of their economies. European nations like Liechtenstein, the Czech Republic, and Slovakia have well-developed manufacturing sectors, focusing on high-value industries like electronics, automotive, and machinery. In these countries, industry plays a crucial role in generating economic growth and employment.

Top 10 Countries with Highest Service Employment

Countries with the highest service employment rates often have advanced economies and are highly urbanized, with industries centered around finance, tourism, and trade. Andorra, with 94.9% in services, is a popular tourism and shopping destination, while Luxembourg and Hong Kong are global financial hubs. Territories like Djibouti, Anguilla, and the Bahamas rely heavily on services due to their roles as trade hubs or tourist destinations. These countries showcase the importance of the service sector in driving economic growth, generating income, and providing employment opportunities in developed and specialized economies.

The Significance of Sector Composition in Economic Development

The Agricultural Sector: Foundation of Developing Economies

Agriculture remains a critical sector in many developing countries, providing livelihoods for the majority of the population. However, reliance on agriculture often indicates limited economic diversification, which can make these economies vulnerable to climate conditions and global commodity price fluctuations. As countries develop, there is usually a shift from agricultural labor towards industry and services.

The Rise of Industry and Services in Modern Economies

As economies industrialize, they tend to transition towards manufacturing and heavy industries, creating jobs in sectors like mining, construction, and manufacturing. Industrialization drives economic growth and can improve standards of living. In developed countries, the service sector becomes increasingly important, encompassing fields such as healthcare, education, finance, and information technology, which are less vulnerable to external economic shocks.

Source

• List of countries by sector composition of the labor force