Employment by Industry Sector - International
The services sector dominates the Australian economy, accounting for the largest number of businesses, the highest level of employment, the greatest share of GDP, and a growing proportion of export income.
Employment in Australia's services sector continues to expand, accounting for three-quarters of national employment in 2006, according to the International Labour Organisation. This result reflects Australia's strengths in knowledge intensive industries, such as finance, insurance, ICT and business services, which are concentrated in Sydney.
In global terms, the rapidly expanding services sector contributes more to economic growth and job creation than any other. As such, the dynamic nature of Australia's services sector places the country in a strong position to further increase global competitiveness and capitalise on emerging opportunities, supported by a large, highly skilled and motivated workforce.
Employment by Industry Sector - International, 2006 (% of total employment) (1)
| Country |
Agriculture |
Industry (2) |
Services |
| China |
n.a. |
n.a. |
n.a. |
| India |
n.a. |
n.a. |
n.a. |
| Hong Kong SAR |
0.2 |
14.3 |
85.4 |
| United States (3) |
1.5 |
19.9 |
78.5 |
| Singapore |
1.3 |
22.1 |
76.7 |
| United Kingdom (4) |
1.4 |
22.2 |
76.4 |
| Australia |
3.5 |
20.4 |
75.8 |
| France (4) |
3.5 |
22.6 |
73.9 |
| New Zealand |
7.1 |
21.9 |
70.5 |
| Germany |
2.3 |
28.7 |
69.0 |
| Japan |
4.3 |
27.5 |
67.1 |
| Korea |
7.7 |
26.0 |
66.3 |
| Malaysia |
14.6 |
29.5 |
55.8 |
| Taiwan (4) |
5.9 |
35.4 |
55.3 |
| Philippines |
36.7 |
14.4 |
49.0 |
| Indonesia |
44.5 |
17.8 |
37.8 |
| Thailand |
42.1 |
20.4 |
37.3 |
Footnotes:
1. Employment not classifiable by industry has been excluded from sectors where possible
2. Industry comprises mining, manufacturing and construction
3. Services includes employment not classifiable
4. Employment data are for 2005.
Sources: ILO Yearbook of Labour Statistics, 2007; OECD in Figures 2007