Quaternary sector

What is the quaternary sector?

The quaternary sector is that economic sector in which the economic activities based on the knowledge, such as the generation and exchange of information, technology, research, development and financial planning.

In this way, companies in the quaternary sector create value from scientific ideas that apply to the other 3 sectors of the economy.

Characteristics of the quaternary sector

The main characteristics of the activities of the quaternary sector are the following:

• They are based on the knowledge.
• They perform tasks that are impossible to machine.
• Sometimes they are considered part of the tertiary sector.
• They include services of generation and exchange of information, technology and education.
• They influence the primary and secondary sectors.
• They give the tertiary sector greater profitability through the optimization of its production processes.
• Their workforce is often highly skilled and highly paid.

Examples of the quaternary sector

The most representative examples of the quaternary sector are the following:

• Consultancy.
• Financial planning.
• Investigation and development.
• Telecommunications
• Information technology.
• Education.