Secondary sector of the economy

The secondary sector include industries that produce a finished, usable product or are involved in construction.

This sector generally takes the output of the primary sector and manufactures finished goods or where they are suitable for used by other businesses, for export, or sale to domestic consumers. This sector is often divided into light industry and heavy industry. Many of these industries consume large quantities of energy and require factories and machinery to convert the raw materials into goods and products. They also produce waste materials and waste heat that may cause environmental problems or cause pollution. The secondary sector supports both the primary and tertiary sector.

Some economists contrast wealth-producing sectors in an economy such as manufacturing with the service sector which tends to be wealth-consuming.[1] Examples of service may include retail, insurance, and government. These economists contend that an economy begins to decline as its wealth-producing sector shrinks.[2] Manufacturing is an important activity to promote economic growth and development. Nations that export manufactured products tend to generate higher marginal GDP growth which supports higher incomes and marginal tax revenue needed to fund the quality of life initiatives such as health care and infrastructure in the economy. The field is an important source for engineering job opportunities. Among developed countries, it is an important source of well paying jobs for the middle class to facilitate greater social mobility for successive generations on the economy

Largest countries by industrial output according to IMF and CIA World Factbook, 2016

Economy	Countries by industrial output in 2016 (billions in USD)
(01) China	4,566
(—) European Union	4,184
(02) United States	3,602
(03) Japan	1,368
(04) Germany	1,050
(05) India	672
(06) South Korea	531
(07) United Kingdom	505
(08) France	478
(09) Italy	442
(10) Russia	424
(11) Canada	424
(12) Brazil	392
(13) Indonesia	376
(14) Australia	355
(15) Mexico	346
(16) Spain	312
(17) Saudi Arabia	276
(18) Turkey	232
(19) Taiwan	191
(20) Poland	180
The twenty largest countries by industrial output in 2016, according to the IMF and CIA World Factbook.

Largest Countries by industrial output according to UNCTAD at 2005 constant prices and exchange rates, 2015

Economy	Countries by industrial output in 2015 (millions in 2005 constant USD and exchange rates)
(01) United States	3,042,332
(02) China	2,837,667
(03) Japan	1,415,551
(04) Germany	889,336
(05) India	499,519

See also

• List of countries by GDP sector composition