Deindustrialization and Tertiarization in the Developing World

Abstract

This chapter outlines the contours of contemporary structural change and economic development along the following lines: in all developing regions agriculture shares of GDP and employment have fallen substantially—albeit they still persist at high levels among the poorest countries; regional manufacturing shares are consistent with deindustrialization or stagnant industrialization in employment shares and value-added; and, service shares of GDP and employment are on an upward trend in general, with the exception of East Asian economic growth, which has been driven by an inter-sectoral movement toward manufacturing. There is also a trend toward greater capital intensity of growth. Further, while in East Asia there have been substantial changes in the composition of exports, this is not the case in all regions.