Editing Economy of Sudan (section)

===Labor force by sector===
Agriculture was formerly the predominant activity in Sudan, although its share of the labor force gradually declined as other sectors of economic activity expanded.<ref name="loc2015a" /> In the 1955–56 census, almost 86 percent of those then considered as part of the workforce were involved in agriculture, [[Animal husbandry|livestock raising]], [[forestry]], [[Fishery|fisheries]], or [[hunting]].<ref name="loc2015a" /> The ILO estimated that by 1998, the figure had declined to 70–80 percent.<ref name="loc2015a" /> By 2008 the government claimed that the percentage was significantly lower.<ref name="loc2015a" /> The services sector, which included a government workforce that grew about 10 percent a year in the 1970s, emerged as the second largest area of activity, encompassing an estimated 13–22 percent of those economically active in 1998, compared with 4.6 percent in 1955–56.<ref name="loc2015a" /> The industry sector, including manufacturing, mining, electric power, and construction, accounted for 7–9 percent during 1998, compared to 5.6 percent in 1955–56.<ref name="loc2015a" /> The proportions of the labor force in each of these sectors undoubtedly changed after the estimates were made in 1998, as the relative importance of these sectors altered in the succeeding years.<ref name="loc2015a" /> It was difficult to determine the extent of the changes, however, as despite the oil sector's great importance, it did not directly employ many people.<ref name="loc2015a" /> Its impact on employment occurred as a result of the increased spending allowed to the government, which created new jobs, often in the public sector.<ref name="loc2015a" />