Spain’s Economy: Sectors, Population, and Internet Impact
ITEM 5 PRODUCTION STRUCTURE
A / The Structure of Production in Spain
In recent years, Spain’s most important sector is the tertiary sector, indicating a process of outsourcing in the Spanish economy. The construction and agriculture sectors follow in importance, but to a lesser extent.
B / Economic Sectors
Economic sectors are divided into three main categories:
- Primary Sector: Includes activities related to nature.
- Secondary Sector: Involves the transformation of raw materials into consumer products.
- Tertiary Sector: Encompasses a wide range of activities.
Primary Sector
The primary sector primarily includes agriculture, livestock, fisheries, forestry, and mining.
The Spanish countryside generally faces challenges for farming due to dryness, acidity of the continental climate, and low relief plains. Major crops are regionally distributed as follows:
- Cereals: Castile, Spain, Ebro Valley, and Guadalquivir Marshes
- Vines: La Rioja, La Mancha, Rivera del Duero, Catalonia, and Andalusia
- Olives: Andalusia, Catalonia, Aragon
- Horticultural Products: Mediterranean Coast
Livestock has decreased in importance due to agricultural development and reforestation policies.
The main types of livestock in Spain are:
- Northern Cattle
- Sheep and Goats: Castile and Extremadura
- Pigs: Extremadura and Galicia
Fishing is significant in the Spanish economy, with a substantial portion of fish caught in Spain. The Spanish fishing fleet is one of the world’s most important.
Secondary Sector
The secondary sector transforms raw materials into finished consumer products. Its main activities include industry, construction, and the energy sector.
These activities represent 23% of production in Spain.
Tertiary Sector
This sector is influenced by a wide range of activities, providing intangible services rather than goods.
Two types of services are distinguished:
- Private Services: Traded in markets, including catering, leisure, entertainment, computer services, management, and administration.
- Public Services: Controlled by the state, such as health, education, transportation, defense, and public order.
4 – Internet Economy
The incorporation of new technologies, particularly robotics, has revolutionized traditional production methods and societal habits. The rapid growth of the Internet’s importance has significantly impacted the tertiary sector and increased flexibility in finding or changing jobs.
C / Population
The population is defined as all human beings living in a territory. The science that studies the population is called demography.
Spain has seen remarkable population growth in recent decades, although growth has stagnated in recent years. Spain has one of the lowest birthrates globally. The continents with the highest birth rates are Africa and Asia.
The population is divided into active and inactive based on their relationship with work. The labor force comprises individuals involved in the production and consumption of goods and services. Within the population, there are two categories:
Employed: Those with a paid job, even if on sick leave.
Marginally Employed: Those who do paid work but for less time than normal (e.g., temporary agency workers).
The unemployed are those who meet the physical and mental conditions for paid work but cannot find it.
The inactive population is limited to the consumption function. This group includes unemployed pensioners, schoolchildren, students, housewives, and disabled people who cannot or are not looking for work.