<p>That is because in science we try to not just create new knowledge but also classify the knowledge.</p>

<p>In biology biologists don’t just study living things they also classify them as mammals, birds etc based on similar characteristics, in astrophysics physicists don’t just study different astronomical objects but classify different astronomical objects into categories such as planets, asteroids, stars etc. based on similar characteristics, and finally in economics we don’t just study an industry but also categorize industries again based on similar characteristics.</p>

<p>The point of such classification is to have established nomenclature which makes subsequent research more easy. If a economist says “I study primary sector in US” the economist does not need to always explain that he or she studies the sector that produces raw materials/agricultural which saves a lot of time and makes process of science as efficient as possible.</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-03-07T07:13:36.590Z
Thanks @1mufon1 !!  
Classification for making things easy and communicatable is understandable. I read that "As a rule of thumb, we say the more advanced an economy is, the more its focus shifts from the primary, through the secondary to the tertiary sector". I was thinking if economy was divided into sectors from that perspective.
iamai
CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-03-07T10:01:56.347Z
@iamai it is true that usually more advanced economies focus on the tertiary sector (i.e. services) but it’s not divided into these sectors to measure development, although it could be used that way as well I suppose.
1muflon1
CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-03-04T18:36:38.353Z
2020-03-04T18:41:53.610Z
2020-03-04T18:41:53.610Z
1muflon1
<p>I understand that modern economists divide a nations economy into sectors such as such as primary, secondary, tertiary, quaternary and quinary. </p>

<p>What is the point of such classification?</p>

<macroeconomics>
Why is a nations economy is divided into sectors?
iamai
# Why is a nations economy is divided into sectors?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2020-03-04)

I understand that modern economists divide a nations economy into sectors such as such as primary, secondary, tertiary, quaternary and quinary.

What is the point of such classification?

**Tags:** macroeconomics

---

## 1 answers

### Answer by username_1 on 2020-03-04. Score: 2

That is because in science we try to not just create new knowledge but also classify the knowledge.

In biology biologists don’t just study living things they also classify them as mammals, birds etc based on similar characteristics, in astrophysics physicists don’t just study different astronomical objects but classify different astronomical objects into categories such as planets, asteroids, stars etc. based on similar characteristics, and finally in economics we don’t just study an industry but also categorize industries again based on similar characteristics.

The point of such classification is to have established nomenclature which makes subsequent research more easy. If a economist says “I study primary sector in US” the economist does not need to always explain that he or she studies the sector that produces raw materials/agricultural which saves a lot of time and makes process of science as efficient as possible.

> **Comments:**
> **username_0**: Thanks @1mufon1 !!   Classification for making things easy and communicatable is understandable. I read that "As a rule of thumb, we say the more advanced an economy is, the more its focus shifts from the primary, through the secondary to the tertiary sector". I was thinking if economy was divided into sectors from that perspective.  
> **username_1**: @iamai it is true that usually more advanced economies focus on the tertiary sector (i.e. services) but it’s not divided into these sectors to measure development, although it could be used that way as well I suppose.  

---

