GITNUXREPORT 2025

Tertiary Industry Statistics

Tertiary industry accounts for major global GDP, employment, and diverse services growth.

Jannik Lindner

Jannik Linder

Co-Founder of Gitnux, specialized in content and tech since 2016.

First published: April 29, 2025

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Key Statistics

Statistic 1

The tertiary industry accounts for approximately 63% of global GDP as of 2022

Statistic 2

In developed countries, the tertiary sector comprises over 70% of employment

Statistic 3

The education services sector within tertiary industries generates approximately $6 trillion annually worldwide

Statistic 4

The health care and social assistance sector makes up about 8% of the UK’s GDP

Statistic 5

The global professional, scientific, and technical services industry grew by an average of 4% annually from 2018 to 2022

Statistic 6

The retail sector within tertiary industries employs over 600 million people worldwide

Statistic 7

The telecommunications sector contributed around 4% to global GDP in 2022

Statistic 8

In 2023, the global airline industry revenue was approximately $538 billion, accounting for services in the tertiary sector

Statistic 9

The global advertising market is projected to reach $794 billion by 2024, a key component of the tertiary industry

Statistic 10

The proportion of tertiary industry employment in China increased from 36% in 2000 to over 54% in 2022

Statistic 11

The global information technology services sector is worth over $1.5 trillion, with a growth rate of approximately 7% annually

Statistic 12

The global conference and exhibition industry generates roughly $30 billion annually, with continued annual growth of around 4%

Statistic 13

Personal care and beauty services contributed approximately $550 billion to the global economy in 2022

Statistic 14

The global pet care services market is valued at around $232 billion and is expected to grow annually by 6.4% through 2026

Statistic 15

The global landscape architecture and urban planning industry generates around $45 billion annually

Statistic 16

The global legal services industry generates over $800 billion in revenue per year

Statistic 17

The largest share of tertiary industry employment is in wholesale and retail trade, comprising approximately 28% of tertiary employment globally

Statistic 18

The global sports event management industry is valued at around $80 billion, with an annual growth rate of about 5%

Statistic 19

The global event planning industry was valued at $6 billion in 2023, with expected growth of 4% annually

Statistic 20

Over 50% of the world's population now resides in urban areas where tertiary service industries dominate economic activity

Statistic 21

The tourism sector contributed approximately 10% of global GDP in 2022, supporting a vast network of tertiary services

Statistic 22

The global event security services industry is expected to reach $15 billion by 2025, reflecting increased demand for safety at large events

Statistic 23

The global digital marketing industry is valued at over $330 billion in 2023, with continuous annual growth, heavily influencing advertising services

Statistic 24

The global public relations industry is projected to grow to $22 billion by 2024, playing a significant role in tertiary services

Statistic 25

The global franchise industry, a major component of retail services, generated an estimated $163 billion in sales in 2022

Statistic 26

The global recycling management services sector is valued at over $50 billion and is growing as part of tertiary environmental services

Statistic 27

The global education services market, including private tutoring and university education, was valued at over $6 trillion in 2022

Statistic 28

The global mobile app market, which services various tertiary industry sectors, surpassed $350 billion in 2022, a growth rate of 14%

Statistic 29

The global rental services market, including equipment and property rentals, is estimated to be worth around $2.5 trillion in 2023

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The global conference and convention center industry generates revenues of approximately $25 billion annually, with steady growth

Statistic 31

The global digital payments industry, which supports tertiary services like retail and transportation, exceeded $10 trillion in transactions in 2022

Statistic 32

The global professional training and coaching services industry grew by 6% in 2022, reaching over $320 billion

Statistic 33

The worldwide demand for sustainability consulting within the tertiary industry increased by 12% in 2022, reflecting growing eco-conscious consumer behavior

Statistic 34

The entertainment and media industry (a part of tertiary services) is projected to reach $2.4 trillion globally by 2023

Statistic 35

The global music streaming sector, a part of the entertainment industry in tertiary services, crossed $30 billion in revenue in 2022, with an annual growth rate of around 18%

Statistic 36

The financial services sector is responsible for roughly 12% of GDP in the United States

Statistic 37

The financial technology (fintech) sector within tertiary industries saw a growth of 23% in 2022, reaching a total valuation of over $310 billion

Statistic 38

E-commerce logistics, a part of the tertiary industry, grew by 15% annually from 2019 to 2022

Statistic 39

The global real estate services market size was valued at approximately $11 trillion in 2021

Statistic 40

The logistics services sector within tertiary industries is projected to grow at 6% annually through 2025, reaching over $1.2 trillion globally

Statistic 41

The global courier and logistics segment within tertiary industries is expected to grow by 7% annually through 2025, reaching over $800 billion

Statistic 42

The global cybersecurity services market was valued at approximately $150 billion in 2022 and is expected to grow annually by 10%

Statistic 43

The education technology (EdTech) industry experienced a 17% CAGR from 2018 to 2023, reaching a market size of over $350 billion

Statistic 44

The global online education market is projected to reach $350 billion by 2025, with online degree programs being significant contributors

Statistic 45

The global cloud computing services industry grew by 19% in 2022, reaching a valuation of over $300 billion, influencing service reliant tertiary sectors

Statistic 46

The health tourism market is projected to reach $60 billion by 2030, driven by healthcare services

Statistic 47

In 2022, the global hotel industry generated roughly $600 billion in revenue, demonstrating significant recovery post-pandemic

Statistic 48

The value added by the global tourism and hospitality industry reached $4.7 trillion in 2022, representing 5.4% of the world GDP

Statistic 49

The personal services segment of the tertiary sector sees annual growth of about 3.5%

Statistic 50

The global beauty and personal care industry is forecasted to grow to $716 billion by 2025, driven largely by service sector growth

Statistic 51

The global coffee shop industry is valued at over $45 billion worldwide, with customers primarily seeking tertiary hospitality services

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Key Highlights

  • The tertiary industry accounts for approximately 63% of global GDP as of 2022
  • In developed countries, the tertiary sector comprises over 70% of employment
  • The value added by the global tourism and hospitality industry reached $4.7 trillion in 2022, representing 5.4% of the world GDP
  • The education services sector within tertiary industries generates approximately $6 trillion annually worldwide
  • The health care and social assistance sector makes up about 8% of the UK’s GDP
  • The financial services sector is responsible for roughly 12% of GDP in the United States
  • E-commerce logistics, a part of the tertiary industry, grew by 15% annually from 2019 to 2022
  • The global professional, scientific, and technical services industry grew by an average of 4% annually from 2018 to 2022
  • The retail sector within tertiary industries employs over 600 million people worldwide
  • The personal services segment of the tertiary sector sees annual growth of about 3.5%
  • The global real estate services market size was valued at approximately $11 trillion in 2021
  • The telecommunications sector contributed around 4% to global GDP in 2022
  • In 2023, the global airline industry revenue was approximately $538 billion, accounting for services in the tertiary sector

Did you know that the tertiary industry now accounts for approximately 63% of global GDP, driving a diverse and rapidly expanding economic landscape that shapes our daily lives in countless ways?

Economic Sectors and Industry Contributions

  • The tertiary industry accounts for approximately 63% of global GDP as of 2022
  • In developed countries, the tertiary sector comprises over 70% of employment
  • The education services sector within tertiary industries generates approximately $6 trillion annually worldwide
  • The health care and social assistance sector makes up about 8% of the UK’s GDP
  • The global professional, scientific, and technical services industry grew by an average of 4% annually from 2018 to 2022
  • The retail sector within tertiary industries employs over 600 million people worldwide
  • The telecommunications sector contributed around 4% to global GDP in 2022
  • In 2023, the global airline industry revenue was approximately $538 billion, accounting for services in the tertiary sector
  • The global advertising market is projected to reach $794 billion by 2024, a key component of the tertiary industry
  • The proportion of tertiary industry employment in China increased from 36% in 2000 to over 54% in 2022
  • The global information technology services sector is worth over $1.5 trillion, with a growth rate of approximately 7% annually
  • The global conference and exhibition industry generates roughly $30 billion annually, with continued annual growth of around 4%
  • Personal care and beauty services contributed approximately $550 billion to the global economy in 2022
  • The global pet care services market is valued at around $232 billion and is expected to grow annually by 6.4% through 2026
  • The global landscape architecture and urban planning industry generates around $45 billion annually
  • The global legal services industry generates over $800 billion in revenue per year
  • The largest share of tertiary industry employment is in wholesale and retail trade, comprising approximately 28% of tertiary employment globally
  • The global sports event management industry is valued at around $80 billion, with an annual growth rate of about 5%
  • The global event planning industry was valued at $6 billion in 2023, with expected growth of 4% annually
  • Over 50% of the world's population now resides in urban areas where tertiary service industries dominate economic activity
  • The tourism sector contributed approximately 10% of global GDP in 2022, supporting a vast network of tertiary services
  • The global event security services industry is expected to reach $15 billion by 2025, reflecting increased demand for safety at large events
  • The global digital marketing industry is valued at over $330 billion in 2023, with continuous annual growth, heavily influencing advertising services
  • The global public relations industry is projected to grow to $22 billion by 2024, playing a significant role in tertiary services
  • The global franchise industry, a major component of retail services, generated an estimated $163 billion in sales in 2022
  • The global recycling management services sector is valued at over $50 billion and is growing as part of tertiary environmental services
  • The global education services market, including private tutoring and university education, was valued at over $6 trillion in 2022
  • The global mobile app market, which services various tertiary industry sectors, surpassed $350 billion in 2022, a growth rate of 14%
  • The global rental services market, including equipment and property rentals, is estimated to be worth around $2.5 trillion in 2023
  • The global conference and convention center industry generates revenues of approximately $25 billion annually, with steady growth
  • The global digital payments industry, which supports tertiary services like retail and transportation, exceeded $10 trillion in transactions in 2022
  • The global professional training and coaching services industry grew by 6% in 2022, reaching over $320 billion
  • The worldwide demand for sustainability consulting within the tertiary industry increased by 12% in 2022, reflecting growing eco-conscious consumer behavior

Economic Sectors and Industry Contributions Interpretation

With the tertiary industry making up over 63% of global GDP and employing vast swathes of the population—from retail's 600 million workers to the burgeoning sectors like digital marketing and pet care—it's clear that our modern economy has shifted from manufacturing to service, transforming every aspect of daily life into a thriving, interconnected web of specialization, growth, and sustainability.

Entertainment

  • The entertainment and media industry (a part of tertiary services) is projected to reach $2.4 trillion globally by 2023

Entertainment Interpretation

With Hollywood blockbusters and streaming services fueling a $2.4 trillion global entertainment industry by 2023, it's clear that in the world of tertiary industries, entertainment has become both a billion-dollar spectacle and a cultural necessity.

Entertainment, and Personal Services

  • The global music streaming sector, a part of the entertainment industry in tertiary services, crossed $30 billion in revenue in 2022, with an annual growth rate of around 18%

Entertainment, and Personal Services Interpretation

With streaming revenues surpassing $30 billion and growing at an 18% clip in 2022, the tertiary music industry has firmly established itself as the chart-topping hit of modern entertainment services.

Financial Services and Business Support

  • The financial services sector is responsible for roughly 12% of GDP in the United States
  • The financial technology (fintech) sector within tertiary industries saw a growth of 23% in 2022, reaching a total valuation of over $310 billion

Financial Services and Business Support Interpretation

With the financial sector fueling around 12% of U.S. GDP and fintech booming by 23% to surpass $310 billion in valuation, it's clear that America's tertiary industries are not just services—they're the engines driving both economic stability and innovative disruption.

Real Estate, Logistics, and Infrastructure

  • E-commerce logistics, a part of the tertiary industry, grew by 15% annually from 2019 to 2022
  • The global real estate services market size was valued at approximately $11 trillion in 2021
  • The logistics services sector within tertiary industries is projected to grow at 6% annually through 2025, reaching over $1.2 trillion globally
  • The global courier and logistics segment within tertiary industries is expected to grow by 7% annually through 2025, reaching over $800 billion

Real Estate, Logistics, and Infrastructure Interpretation

As e-commerce continues its relentless ascent, bolstered by a booming logistics sector projected to surpass $1.2 trillion by 2025, the real estate and courier segments are navigating the terrain of a trillion-dollar global marketplace—reminding us that in the world of tertiary industries, the only constant is the steady hum of growth underpinned by complex, interdependent markets.

Technology and Digital Industry Developments

  • The global cybersecurity services market was valued at approximately $150 billion in 2022 and is expected to grow annually by 10%
  • The education technology (EdTech) industry experienced a 17% CAGR from 2018 to 2023, reaching a market size of over $350 billion
  • The global online education market is projected to reach $350 billion by 2025, with online degree programs being significant contributors
  • The global cloud computing services industry grew by 19% in 2022, reaching a valuation of over $300 billion, influencing service reliant tertiary sectors

Technology and Digital Industry Developments Interpretation

As tertiary industries adapt swiftly to digital transformation, the burgeoning cybersecurity, EdTech, and cloud computing markets—valued collectively in the hundreds of billions—illustrate that in the modern economy, securing, educating, and connecting are not just auxiliary, but primary drivers of growth.

Tourism

  • The health tourism market is projected to reach $60 billion by 2030, driven by healthcare services
  • In 2022, the global hotel industry generated roughly $600 billion in revenue, demonstrating significant recovery post-pandemic

Tourism Interpretation

As health tourism gears up to hit a $60 billion mark by 2030 and hotels rebound to $600 billion in 2022, it's clear the tertiary sector isn't just bouncing back—it's booking its way to a more lucrative future.

Tourism, Entertainment, and Personal Services

  • The value added by the global tourism and hospitality industry reached $4.7 trillion in 2022, representing 5.4% of the world GDP
  • The personal services segment of the tertiary sector sees annual growth of about 3.5%
  • The global beauty and personal care industry is forecasted to grow to $716 billion by 2025, driven largely by service sector growth
  • The global coffee shop industry is valued at over $45 billion worldwide, with customers primarily seeking tertiary hospitality services

Tourism, Entertainment, and Personal Services Interpretation

With a combined valuation surpassing $5.4 trillion and steady growth across personal services, beauty, and coffee shops, the tertiary industry’s relentless expansion underscores its role as both a lucrative economic engine and a reflection of society’s unwavering pursuit of comfort, care, and caffeine.