Annex 1A Classifications of Economic Activities in the Services Sector The classifications used in this chapter follow Revision 4 of the United Nations International Standard Industrial Classification of All Economic Activities (ISIC), which is the most commonly used classification of economic activities. Often countries use classifications that are derived from this classification, such as the European NACE classification (NACE stands for nomenclature statistique des Activités économiques dans la Communauté européenne). In Canada, Mexico, and the United States, the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) is used instead. Concordance tables are available between industrial classifications. The ISIC classification (table 1A.1) is grouped into sections (indicated with a letter, sometimes colloquially indicated as a “one-digit” sector) and then into divisions (indicated with a two-digit number), groups (three-digit), and classes
TABLE 1A.1 Service Subsectors, by UN ISIC Rev. 4 Classification Section (UN ISIC Rev. 4)
Included activities (UN ISIC Rev. 4 division number in parentheses)
Global innovator services Information and communication (J)
Publishing (58), audio and video production (59), television and radio broadcasting (60), telecommunications (61), computer programming and consulting (62), and information services (63). Information services include webhosting, web portals, and data processing, as well as news agencies.
Finance and insurance (K)
Financial services (64), insurance and pensions (65), and auxiliary financial and insurance services (66). Auxiliary services include insurance agents, brokerage of security and commodity contracts, and fund management activities.
Professional, scientific, Legal services and accounting (both under 69), activities of head offices and management and technical consultancy (both under 70), architecture and engineering (71), scientific R&D (72), activities (M) advertising (73), veterinary (75), and other professional services such as specialized design, photographic activities, and translation activities (74). Low-skill tradable services Wholesale (part of section G)
Wholesale (46).
Transportation and storage (H)
Various forms of transportation, including land (49), water (50), and air (51) transportation. Also includes logistical services such as storage, warehousing, and transport support (52), as well as postal and courier services (53).
Accommodation and food services (I)
Hotels and other forms of accommodation (55), as well as food and beverage services (56). Note that establishments selling food products produced at the facility but not consumed on location (such as bakeries) are usually classified as food manufacturing (10), even though takeaway services are still classified under this section. Table continues on the following page
Of Goods and Services: Inside the Black Box
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