HISCO Tree Of Occupational Groups

Here you find general information on the way the occupations are classified at this site. We do this using the Historical International Standard Classification of Occupations (HISCO). This way all occupational titles in the world from the 18th to the 20th century can be ordered, connected and linked to short descriptions of the work done.

HISCO has a tree-like structure with 9 'major' groups, 76 'minor' groups, 296 'unit' groups and 1675 'micro' groups. The 'leaves' of the tree are formed by the ten-thousands of occupational titles that fall under these 1675 groups. Moving up or down the tree you can find related occupational groups. You may in addition find short definitions of the tasks and duties of an occupational group. HISCO also has subsidiary variables to capture additional information on social STATUS, on the PRODUCT used or on other matters, such as family of temporal reliationships. Click here.

At present, the HISCO information is only available in English. However, we are working on versions in other languages.

You can obtain the HISCO-manual to support your manual coding work.



  Majorgroup 0/1 Professional, technical and related workers
  Workers in this major group conduct research and apply scientific knowledge to the solution of a variety of technological, economic, social and industrial problems and perform other professional, technical, artistic and related functions in such fields as the physical and natural sciences, engineering, law, medicine, religion, education, literature, art, entertainment and sport.
  List Minor Groups for Majorgroup 0
  List Minor Groups for Majorgroup 1

  Majorgroup 2 Administrative and managerial workers
  Workers in this major group conduct research and apply scientific knowledge to the solution of a variety of technological, economic, social and industrial problems and perform other professional, technical, artistic and related functions in such fields as the physical and natural sciences, engineering, law, medicine, religion, education, literature, art, entertainment and sport.
  List Minor Groups

  Majorgroup 3 Clerical and related workers
  Workers in this major group put into effect laws, rules and regulations made by central, state, provincial or local governments; supervise clerical and related work, transport and communications service operations; compile and maintain records of financial and other business transactions; handle cash on behalf of an organisation and its customers; record oral or written matter by shorthand writing, typing and other means; operate office machines and telephone and telegraph equipment; conduct passenger transport vehicles; take part in postal work and mail distribution and perform other duties related to the foregoing.
  List Minor Groups

  Majorgroup 4 Sales workers
  Workers in this major group are engaged in, or directly associated with, buying and selling goods and services of all kinds and in conducting wholesale and retail businesses on their own behalf.
  List Minor Groups

  Majorgroup 5 Service workers
  Workers in this major group organise or perform catering, housekeeping, personal, protective and related services.
  List Minor Groups

  Majorgroup 6 Agricultural, animal husbandry and forestry workers, fishermen and hunters
  Workers in this major group conduct farms on their own behalf or in partnership, perform agricultural, animal husbandry and forestry tasks, catch fish, hunt and trap animals, and perform related tasks.
  List Minor Groups

  Majorgroup 7-8-9 Production and related workers, transport equipment operators and labourers
  Workers in this major group are engaged in or directly associated with the extraction of minerals, petroleum and natural gas from the earth and their treatment; manufacturing processes; the construction, maintenance and repair of various types of roads, structures, machines and other products. Also included are those who handle materials, operate transport and other equipment and perform labouring tasks requiring primarily physical effort.
  List Minor Groups for Majorgroup 7
  List Minor Groups for Majorgroup 8
  List Minor Groups for Majorgroup 9


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