Sectoral composition of the business economy: patterns of formation and structural changes

Abstract

The article discusses the issue of the formation of the composition of the economy based on the study of its industry structure. The definition of the concept of "structure of the economy" is given from the point of view of narrow and broad interpretation. The essence of the concept of "industry" and the specifics of forming the industry composition by the Classifier of Types of Economic Activities are highlighted. The most generalized groupings of types of economic activity at the level of sections of this classifier make it possible to distinguish the main branches of the economy. The main characteristics and types of entrepreneurial activity that form tangible and intangible production spheres are defined. A classification of types of industries in the sphere of material and non-material production was formed based on the study of existing approaches to the selection of groups of industries, namely, according to the purpose of products, the action of raw materials and consumer factors, according to dynamism, according to development trends, according to technological level, according to the degree of manageability. General economic, inter-branch, and intra-branch factors that affect the branch structure of the business economy are considered. The role of structural changes in determining further economic development priorities is noted. Particular attention is paid to the definition and characteristics of the priority sectors of Ukraine's economy from the standpoint of the government of Ukraine and experts. The main (leading) industries are selected based on the industry structure analysis. In recent years, the most dynamic and promising industries have included information technologies, the military-industrial complex, energy, the agricultural sector, trade, transport infrastructure, and tourism. With the beginning of hostilities in Ukraine, four industries can be singled out, on which the primary efforts for their maintenance should be directed first: military-tech (high-tech weapons); metallurgy, mining industry, and mechanical engineering; agriculture and food industry; IT industry. Keywords: economy, structure, industry composition, industry classification, structural changes, leading industries.