BusinessWeek Logo
Which Sectors Will Be Hardest Hit?

getty images

Which Sectors Will Be Hardest Hit?

About 10,000 people a day are losing their jobs in the current U.S. economic crisis, the worst rate since perhaps the Great Depression. Yet for many industries, the real pain lies ahead. Here's a look at 30 sectors—some that will be among the hardest hit and others where the outlook is for modest growth, according to an analysis by economic forecaster Michael Montgomery of IHS Global Insight. Workers who produce goods will suffer most, he says. Inventories are high, and demand will remain sluggish until the end of 2010. Many service jobs are less sensitive to the economy, he notes. But that doesn't include employment services, a category that includes agency-paid temps who work in a variety of industries.

Note: Employee numbers and job figures are based on peak employment from 2007.