What is an economic activity?
An economic activity is work that people do to earn money and to make goods and services for others. When many people work, the country earns more and can build better roads, schools and hospitals. This helps Malaysia keep progressing.
Three main sectors
Malaysia's economy has three big groups called sectors:
- Primary sector - taking things from nature, such as farming palm oil and rubber, fishing, and mining tin and petroleum.
- Secondary sector - making goods in factories, such as cars, electronics and processed food. This is called manufacturing.
- Tertiary sector - giving services, such as banking, transport, teaching and tourism.
Key idea
Farming, mining, making goods and giving services all bring money into the country and create jobs, so the nation keeps growing.
Remember
- Primary = from nature; Secondary = making goods; Tertiary = services.
- Palm oil, rubber, tin and petroleum are important Malaysian products.
- Tourism brings visitors and money to Malaysia.