Abstract
This study analyzes the structural transformations and specialization
patterns of the productive sectors in selected South American countries
between 2013 and 2022, highlighting the rise of the quaternary sector,
characterized by knowledge-intensive activities. Based on the Sectoral
Specialization Index (SSI) and the Modified Lilien Index (MLI), changes in
the composition of employment and spatial configurations of sectoral
specialization are examined. The results reveal transition trends toward
higher value-added sectors in Brazil, Chile, and Uruguay, while Bolivia,
Ecuador, and Peru remain more concentrated in primary and secondary sectors.
In the case of Argentina, there is a relative increase in the secondary
sector and stability in the tertiary sector, accompanied by a slight decline
in the quaternary sector. It is concluded that productive restructuring is
underway, but unevenly among the countries analyzed, suggesting the need for
public policies aimed at strengthening knowledge-intensive sectors and
diversifying productive structures.