Industries That Will Never Go Away (2024)

Innovation and technological developments have made it difficult for many industries to survive using their traditional methods. While some industries overhaul themselves and keep apace, some are not able to cope and eventually become redundant. Despite this cycle of so-called creating destruction, there are certain industries that are unlikely to fade away as they support our lives and lifestyles.

Even today, people’s basic needs have broadly remained the same. Everyone still eats food, though it can be more processed than fresh. Likewise, children will need an education, and everyone needs a doctor at times.In this article, we'll review those key industries that have been around for a long time and will survive the ups and downs of market cycles.

Key Takeaways

  • Industries that will never go away are those that cater to basic human needs and thus have continued high demand.
  • Food is considered one of the safest industries for investment and is comprised of diverse sectors including agriculture, ranching, processing, preservation, preparation, and packaging.
  • The pharmaceutical and healthcare industries have experienced significant growth as both developed countries and emerging nations spend more money on high-quality healthcare.
  • Education is one of the fastest-growing industries globally, with the rising middle and upper classes in India and China helping support this rapid expansion.
  • Three other highly resilient industries are entertainment and media, professional services, and the "sin industry" (which broadly includes alcohol, tobacco, and gambling).

1. Food

Food is required for life and this means demand will always be high. For this reason, the food industry is one of the safest industries for investment. The food industry covers a variety of activities such as agriculture, ranching, processing, preservation, preparation, and packaging. This industry is diverse not only in terms of products but also in terms of the size of players, from traditional family-run, labor-intensive farms to capital-intensive, highly mechanized firms.

Some of the prominent areas are dairy product processing, grain and oilseed milling, sugar and confectionery products, animal food manufacturing, vegetable and fruit preservation, and food packaging. The industry is impacted by short-term conditions that can depress the demand of a sector at times, but the long-term demand stays intact until a substitute for "food" is found.

2. Pharmaceutical

The pharmaceutical industry has experienced impressive growth globally. In 2019, worldwide spending on pharmaceuticals before discounts and rebates came in at $1.25 trillion, up from $1.2 trillion in 2018. The industry is dominated by companies from North America, South America, Japan, and Europe. Companies in this industry are investing a lot in research and development (R&D) to create breakthrough drugs.

3. Healthcare

The healthcare industry has grown tremendously, backed by government initiatives to provide high-quality healthcare, especially in developed countries. Further spurring growth in this industry are rising populations and incomes in emerging markets, increased access to healthcare facilities, aging populations, and an uptick in chronic diseases.

Improvements in healthcare have boosted life expectancies and quality of life. The industry is a mix of products and services such as hospitals, nursing homes, ambulance services, laboratories, doctors and healthcare professionals, medical devices, equipment, and hospital supplies. Organizations, healthcare leaders, and governments continue to look forways to provide high-quality services that are economically viable.

4. Education

The education industry is one of the fastest-developing industries globally, generating large-scale employment and revenues. Private partnerships, e-learning, higher demand for foreign education, and increased offerings for test preparation have transformed education from the traditional schoolhouse. The rising middle and upper classes in India and China have helped support this rapid growth and transformation.

Overall, the industry is comprised of products and services such as private universities, vocational training, online education, primary and secondary education, international studies, and educational materials.

5. Sin Industry

This industry will continue to survive because, as the old-time adage goes, “old habits die hard.” The industry broadly includes alcohol, tobacco, and gambling. These industries are called "sin" industries because of their undesirable social impact and costs.

These industries are heavily taxed by governments and are a source of revenue. The taxes on the "sin products" are often ineffective in curbing the consumption of these products or services, as they belong to a class that is price inelastic.

6. Entertainment and Media

This industry is a mix of businesses involved in the production and distribution of television programs, commercials, games, publishing, music and audio recordings, and motion pictures.

According to a PricewaterhouseCoopers' (PwC) report, revenues for the global entertainment and media (E&M) industry are expected to grow to $2.6 trillion by 2025.

The popularity of web-based entertainment is growing. PwC reports that Internet access accounted for 34% of E&M spending in 2020 and will increase at a 4.9% compound annual growth rate, from $694 billion in 2020 to $880 billion in 2025.

7. Professional Services

The professional services industry employs highly skilled workers in accounting, engineering, information technology, architecture, and legal matters, along with management consulting.In developed and fast-developing economies, professional services are a substantial part of the gross domestic product (GDP).

The demand for most of these services is driven by the overall economic health and corporate profits. Thus, in hard economic times, the industry can face a slowdown, but it eventually will make a comeback as spending on these services is only postponed.

The Bottom Line

Some of the industries listed above are recession proof, while others are cyclical. Overall, the big players in each of theseindustriesadapt and upgrade to cater to our changing preferences and technologies, so that they can continue to meet our basic and lifestyle needs.

Industries That Will Never Go Away (2024)

FAQs

What business will always be in demand? ›

Industries that will never go away are those that cater to basic human needs and thus have continued high demand. Food is considered one of the safest industries for investment and is comprised of diverse sectors including agriculture, ranching, processing, preservation, preparation, and packaging.

What will be the industries of the future? ›

The Industries of the Future (specifically Quantum Information Science, Artificial Intelligence, 5G, Advanced Manufacturing, and Biotechnology) were all identified as technological domains that have the potential to transform U.S. manufacturing, communications, health care, transportation, and beyond.

What industries are most affected by digital transformation? ›

Media and Entertainment: Media is surely the most impacted industry by Digital Disruption according to Embee. The displacement of physical media by digital players has been progressive but revolutionary.

Which industries need disruption? ›

These are the next 6 industries that are ripe for tech disruption
  • Education. Over the last few years, our lifestyles have changed significantly and so have the ways we work, interact, and communicate with each other. ...
  • Hospitality. ...
  • Agriculture. ...
  • Industrial Manufacturing. ...
  • Real Estate and Construction. ...
  • Commercial Airline.
Feb 17, 2023

What is the most thriving business? ›

Most Profitable Business Ideas
  1. Business Consulting. If you're an expert in your industry and have been working at it for years, you should consider consulting. ...
  2. IT Support, Technology Consulting, and Repair. ...
  3. Cleaning Services. ...
  4. Accounting and Tax Preparation. ...
  5. Auto Repair. ...
  6. Real Estate.

What business ideas make the most money? ›

Most profitable small business ideas
  • Website and app development. It should be no surprise that tech is one of the fastest-growing industries. ...
  • Financial consulting. ...
  • Online business consulting. ...
  • Information security. ...
  • Digital marketing. ...
  • Social media marketing. ...
  • Writer or author. ...
  • Graphic design.
Apr 7, 2023

What industries will survive the next recession? ›

Due to the elasticity of demand, recession-proof industries are usually in essential services, like health care, senior services, grocery stores, and maintenance, such as plumbing and electrical.

In which industries is best future? ›

List of the Top Sectors in India that are Most Likely to Provide Excellent Returns
  • Healthcare and Insurance Sector. ...
  • Renewable Energy Sector. ...
  • IT Sector. ...
  • Real Estate Sector. ...
  • Fast-Moving Consumer-Goods Sector (FMCG) ...
  • Automobile Sector.
Mar 27, 2023

What industries are expected to grow the most? ›

Leisure and Hospitality. Reflecting cyclical growth, leisure, and hospitality are expected to experience the fastest compound annual rate of change growth at 1.3% among all U.S. sectors from 2021-31, the BLS says. That amounts to more than 1.9 million projected jobs to be added during that period.

What is the least digitized industry? ›

Hospitality: The industry with the least digital adoption but has the potential to create a benchmark only after implementing the right technology with the right strategy.
...
  • Increased cost saving.
  • Roadblock analysis and finding solutions.
  • Gives digital maturity.
  • Industry ecosystem for business management.

What sectors are in need of transformation? ›

Technology and telecommunications and financial services are the most digitally mature sectors, and they also tend to be more successful at transformation (30% and 28% in the “success” zone for tech and telcos and financial institutions, respectively).

What industry lacks innovation? ›

Global Life & Health Insurance Carriers are one of the industries that still lack innovation in 2022. According to the latest report from Allied Market Research, the global life and health insurance market is projected to post a CAGR of 5.9% from 2016 to 2022, with sales worth nearly $2.4 trillion by 2022.

What industries are threatened by technology? ›

Industries That May Be Disrupted
  • Tax Software. Tax software such as TurboTax has eliminated numerous jobs for tax accountants.
  • Print Media. ...
  • Translation. ...
  • Office Assistants. ...
  • Booksellers. ...
  • Financial Advisors. ...
  • Recruiters. ...
  • Taxi Services.

What will be the most disruptive technology? ›

Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning. Automation and Robotics. Cyber Security Advances. Edge Computing.

What is the fastest growing business on earth? ›

1. Shipping and delivery services. The rising popularity of online purchases has led to an increased demand for shippers and is fast securing its place as the growth industry front-runner. The American Shipper reports that as much as 8% of all retail sales are made online, or $394 billion.

What is the number 1 business? ›

American retail corporation Walmart has been the world's largest company by revenue since 2014.

What business are most millionaires in? ›

The financial service industry has created the most millionaires in modern times. The financial system manages the money of people worldwide.

What businesses can make you a millionaire? ›

  • Financial Services.
  • Eldercare.
  • Business Consultancy.
  • Investment Firm.
  • Education and Training Service.
  • Insurtech.
  • Cleaning Business.
  • Healthcare Consultancy.
May 11, 2022

How to be a millionaire in 5 years? ›

  1. 10 Steps to Become a Millionaire in 5 Years (or Less) ...
  2. Create a wealth vision. ...
  3. Develop a 90-day system for measuring progress/future pacing. ...
  4. Develop a daily routine to live in a flow/peak state. ...
  5. Design your environment for clarity, recovery, and creativity. ...
  6. Focus on results, not habits or processes.

What do people buy most during a recession? ›

Companies that make basic necessities like consumer staples and food will always have demand, even during an economic downturn - as people need to prepare meals, wash, clean, and so on. Discount stores often do relatively better during recessions because their staple products are cheaper.

What industry is hardest hit in a recession? ›

Real estate. Eventually, most recessions plunder the housing market, which involves real estate agents, mortgage lenders and everything connected to construction, from workers to suppliers.

Which industry will be hurt by recession? ›

The riskiest industries to work in include:
  • Real estate.
  • Construction.
  • Manufacturing.
  • Retail.
  • Leisure and hospitality.
Oct 28, 2022

What industry is in high demand right now? ›

Computer and Information Technology Jobs

Computer and information technology occupations remain in our top in-demand industries from 2021 into 2022. These jobs are expected to grow 13% from 2020 to 2030, which is higher than last year's growth rate of 11%.

What things are most demand in the future? ›

13 high-demand trending products and niches of 2023
  • Coffee products. ...
  • Toys. ...
  • Subscription orders. ...
  • Device protectors. ...
  • Celebrity-founded business. ...
  • Fashion accessories. ...
  • Snack foods. ...
  • Water bottles. Thanks to the numerous health benefits associated with drinking water, reusable water bottles are in demand.
Feb 25, 2023

What will be the 5 fastest growing industries between now and 2029? ›

OccupationPercent change2029 employment
Medical and health services managers31.5555,500
Physician assistants31.3164,800
Information security analysts31.2171,900
Data scientists and mathematical science occupations, all other30.943,400
15 more rows
Sep 4, 2020

What industry should I invest in 2023? ›

2023 US sector outlook
  • Energy. Information. technology. Health care. Utilities.
  • Real estate. Materials. Industrials. Communication. services.
  • Consumer. staples. Consumer. discretionary. Financials.

What are the three fastest growing industries? ›

Fast-growing industries can offer competitive salaries for a wide range of job opportunities.
...
Here are the top 12 fastest-growing industries in the U.S.:
  • Information technology.
  • Construction.
  • Drink manufacturing.
  • Personal services.
  • Direct retail.
  • Finishing contracting.
  • Real estate.
  • Trucking.
Mar 10, 2023

What is the fastest rising industry? ›

The Top 5 Fastest Growing Industries of 2023
  1. 1 The travel and tourism industry. ...
  2. 2 The renewable energy industry. ...
  3. 3 The beverage industry. ...
  4. 4 The next-gen tech industry. ...
  5. 5 The zero-emissions vehicle industry.
Feb 16, 2023

What industry is slow to adopt technology? ›

Process Lag

The major roadblock that causes the healthcare industry to be slow to adopt technologies is because the healthcare offered to patients is so dynamic and solutions need to come quickly.

Which technology is no longer in use? ›

Most experimental creations and conceptions, particularly in early development of technologies, like that of steam power, have also never been recorded.
...
List of obsolete technology.
Obsolete technologyReplacementStill used for
BetamaxLost a format war to VHSPlaying historical recordings
Cathode ray tubeFlatscreenRetrogaming
74 more rows

Which companies failed in digital transformation? ›

4 Most Infamous Digital Transformation Failures
  • Hershey. Hershey is an American multinational brand that makes world-famous chocolate cookies, cakes, milkshakes, and beverages. ...
  • Hewlett Packard. HP is the world's 2nd largest PC vendor; think laptops, printers, notebooks, and desktop computers. ...
  • Miller Coors. ...
  • Revlon.
Jul 7, 2022

Which company failed at digital transformation? ›

Although Hershey's digital transformation failure was back in 1996, it's still probably the most well-known world-wide. When Hershey's went live with SAP, they were unable to process approximately US$100 million of orders!

Why 70% of digital transformations fail? ›

Without a clear vision, it's easy to get sidetracked or make decisions that don't align with the overall goal. Digital transformation can't be successful if it's only being driven from the top down. It needs to have buy-in from all levels of the organization, from the C-suite down to individual employees.

What are the three important sectors? ›

The 3 main sectors of the economy are primary, secondary and tertiary sectors. Manufacturing comes under the secondary sector, extraction of raw materials industries comes under the primary sector of the economy and the services industry comes in the tertiary sector of the economy.

What are the three pillars of transformation? ›

The three pillars of transformation.

What are the 5 levels of transformation? ›

The five stages of change are precontemplation, contemplation, preparation, action, and maintenance. Precontemplation is the stage at which there is no intention to change behavior in the foreseeable future.

What is the biggest enemy of innovation? ›

Efficiency Is the Enemy of Innovation.

What companies have failed to innovate? ›

50 Brands that Failed to Innovate
  • Nokia. Nokia was the first to create a cellular network in the world. ...
  • 3. Yahoo. In 2005, Yahoo was one of the leading players in the online advertising market. ...
  • Xerox. Xerox was the first to invent the PC, and its product was way ahead of its time. ...
  • Blockbuster. ...
  • Segway. ...
  • IBM. ...
  • JCPenney. ...
  • Tie Rack.
Jul 28, 2022

What industries are not affected by AI? ›

According to the report, jobs in agriculture, mining and manufacturing are the least exposed to generative AI, while jobs in the information processing industries, like IT, are the most exposed because jobs that use "programming and writing skills" are more closely related to GPT's capabilities.

What tech companies are struggling? ›

After a pandemic hiring spree, several tech companies are now pulling back. A Growing List: Amazon, Alphabet, Microsoft, Salesforce and Zoom are among the tech giants that have cut jobs amid concerns about an economic slowdown.

Which industries will benefit most from AI? ›

Understanding where AI is impacting these industries can help us make informed decisions about which ones stand to benefit from further investment in AI research.
  • Online Marketing and Search Engine Optimization. ...
  • Finance. ...
  • Healthcare Organizations. ...
  • Transportation. ...
  • Retail. ...
  • Conclusion.

What technologies have made the world worse? ›

10 Tech Innovations That Made Everything Worse
  • Innovation: Segway. How it made everything worse: The segway wasn't a huge win for its creators. ...
  • Innovation: Google Glass. ...
  • Innovation: Mobile Internet. ...
  • Innovation: Data Trafficking. ...
  • Innovation: Streaming Services. ...
  • Innovation: E-Cigarettes and Vapes. ...
  • Innovation: Fast Fashion.

What are the futuristic trends in 2023? ›

Green hydrogen, nuclear fusion and other green technologies will be developing fast in 2023, as the world transitions away from carbon. Other technology trends include developments in gene editing, quantum computing and connected devices. Expect artificial intelligence to get even smarter in 2023.

What are the disruptive technologies for 2023? ›

As we move towards the future, these top five disruptive technologies – 5G, AI, Blockchain, Internet-of-Things (IoT), and Metaverse – will continue to transform the way we live and work. It's important for leaders to keep up with these trends and leverage them to their advantage.

Which business will be best in future? ›

20+ Future Business in India for 2025
  • 1) Outsourcing business. ...
  • 2) Internet of things (IoT) industry. ...
  • 3) Rise of co-working space. ...
  • 4) 3D printing. ...
  • 5) Consumer goods and services business. ...
  • 6) Business in real estate. ...
  • 7) Healthcare industry. ...
  • 8) Consultancy business.
Feb 27, 2023

What will be the biggest business in the future? ›

  • Content Marketing.
  • Virtual education/online training.
  • 3D printing.
  • Mental Health and Marriage Counselling Business:
  • Automobile Charging Station.
  • Outlets for Fast Food and Delivery.
  • Internet of Things (IoT Industry)
May 30, 2022

What businesses will boom next 10 years? ›

10 Booming Industries to Watch in 2023
  • Healthcare. ...
  • Personal Care and Service. ...
  • Travel, Leisure, and Hospitality. ...
  • Commercial and Residential Construction. ...
  • Manufacturing. ...
  • Information Technology and Artificial Intelligence (AI) ...
  • Financial Services. ...
  • Human Resources.
Jan 24, 2023

What is the fastest growing business? ›

1. Shipping and delivery services. The rising popularity of online purchases has led to an increased demand for shippers and is fast securing its place as the growth industry front-runner. The American Shipper reports that as much as 8% of all retail sales are made online, or $394 billion.

What is the most profitable business in 2023? ›

The most profitable businesses for 2023 include social media management, cleaning services, creating online courses, business consulting, graphic design services, digital marketing services, app development, personal training, web development, courier services, catering, real estate investing, virtual assistant ...

What industries will grow the most in the future? ›

10 Global Industries That Will Boom in the Next 5 Years
  • Virtualization Software. ...
  • Digital Education. ...
  • Healthcare Predictive Analytics. ...
  • Cannabis Edibles. ...
  • E-commerce Logistics. ...
  • Solar Energy Solutions. ...
  • Vaccines. ...
  • Fintech-as-a-Service. Financial technology is booming as well.
Jan 10, 2023

What business has the highest value? ›

Apple once again leads the charge as the most valuable company in the world, ahead of Microsoft and Saudi Aramco. ✔️ In the last year, the market capitalisation of the world's most valuable companies increased by 11% to $35.16 trillion.

What company makes the most money per day? ›

The Saudi Arabian Oil Company, known to most as Saudi Aramco, is by far the world's most profitable company, raking in a stunning $304 million of profits every day.
...
Which Company Makes the Most Per Day?
Rank#1
CompanySaudi Aramco
Country🇸🇦 Saudi Arabia
Profit per Day$304,039,726
Profit Per Second$3,519
9 more columns
Oct 21, 2019

What jobs will be around forever? ›

5 jobs most likely to keep you gainfully employed for a lifetime
  • Teaching. The wise old college professor is a stereotype for a reason: Teaching, especially at the secondary and postsecondary levels, allows for some of the most-extended careers out there. ...
  • Finance. ...
  • Law. ...
  • Sales. ...
  • Social work.

What is the most sold item in the world? ›

What Is The Most Sold Item In the World? The most sold item in the world is clothing and fashion items. This ranges from women's and men's outfits to children's clothing, shoes, accessories, and more. People love their clothes, and fashion isn't going anywhere!

What is the most sold product of all time? ›

These are the best-selling products of all time. 1. Rubik's Cube > Category: Toy > Units sold/sales: 350 million units > Parent Company: Seven Towns Ltd. Ernő Rubik created the first prototype of the “Magic Cube” in 1974 in Budapest, Hungary.

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