Question

What is meant by occupational structure? Classify occupations in different structures.

Answer 1

Hint:
The occupational structure has reflected the distribution and placement of people in different sectors, however, the division of such sectors isn’t absolute in any country
Various factors like financial background of workers, availability of resources, education, status in society, skill level etc. are responsible for shaping the occupational structure of a society.

Complete answer:
Occupational Structure:
The occupational structure implies the total distribution of occupations/jobs/employment in a country or state
It is classified into different sub-categories as per the individual’s skill level, economic function, education level, social status, etc.
The occupational structure, in a general sense, relates to the division of a country’s workforce in different sectors, each dependent on each other in one way or the other. The structure can be taken to be pyramidal in nature with the lowest skilled labor forming the base structure while the refined or most skilled workforce forming the superstructure.
Classification of occupational structure –
Level of economic development creates a variety of jobs and opportunities in an economy and such activities can be broadly categorized into three categories-
Primary: The main activities include all those important activities such as agriculture and integrated activities such as animal husbandry, forestry, fishing, poultry farming etc.
Secondary: such occupations include manufacturing industries made up of large and small quantities and mines.
Tertiary/higher: such employment includes all other occupations such as transport, communications, banking, insurance, trade, etc.
Quaternary sector describes the knowledge-based part of the economy, which typically encompasses knowledge-based economic sectors such as information technology, media, research and development, and information-based services such as information generation and sharing.
Quinary sector is proposed by some economists as comprising health, education, culture, research, police, fire service, and other non-profit government industries.
The job structure has reflected the distribution and placement of people in different sectors; however, the division of such sectors isn’t absolute in any country-
In less-developed countries, most people still work in agriculture and other basic occupations while trends show that their industries are getting head start as well; while
In some developed countries such as Japan, England, Norway, etc fishing continues to be an important activity, providing employment and source of food for many.
Various factors are responsible for shaping the occupational structure of a society.
Major among such factors are-
Social: education, status in society, skill level, etc.
Political: level of efficiency of the leaders to guide their citizenry towards development, etc.
Economic: financial background of workers, availability of resources, etc.
Cultural, and so on.

Note:
Importance of Occupational Structure:
The development experience shows that with the gradual development of any backward economy, the value of basic services such as agriculture, forest produce, etc. Is steadily declining with the replacement being made by heavy industries, information technology, and higher education services.
It can definitely be coupled with the development of small industries and cottages, etc. to sustain large unskilled labor force