The line graph compares the proportion of people employed in four distinct industries, including service, manufacturing, agriculture and mining in Australia between 1900 and 2000.
Overall, the service sector saw a significant upward trend and maintained its leading position over the entire period. The others, in contrast, experienced either declined or fluctuated until decreased at the end of the period, particularly manufacturing and agriculture.
In 1900, the figures for service stood at around 45% then it gradually rose to 60% by 1940. However, it remained stable at 60% during the 20-year period from 1940 to 1980, after which it grew sharply by 20% and reach approximately 80% in 2000. Mining, on the other hand, remained the smallest factor throughout the period, dip slightly from 5% to around 3%.
Meanwhile, the employment rate in the manufacturing industry increased from around 15% to a peak of just over 20% in 1940 then drop steadily before reaching about 10% in the end. Agriculture followed a similar trend, albeit a lesser extent, where its number rose marginally from 10% to 13% in 1940 than gradually declined to 6% in 2000.