North American Industry Classification System


The North American Industry Classification System or NAICS is a classification of business establishments by type of economic activity. It is used by government and business in Canada, Mexico, and the United States of America. It has largely replaced the older Standard Industrial Classification system, except in some government agencies, such as the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.
An establishment is typically a single physical location, though administratively distinct operations at a single location may be treated as distinct establishments. Each establishment is classified to an industry according to the primary business activity taking place there. NAICS does not offer guidance on the classification of enterprises which are composed of multiple establishments.

Codes

The NAICS numbering system employs a five or six-digit code at the most detailed industry level. The first five digits are generally the same in all three countries. The first two digits designate the largest business sector, the third digit designates the subsector, the fourth digit designates the industry group, the fifth digit designates the NAICS industries, and the sixth digit designates the national industries.
Digit designationAggregation level
2Sector
3Subsector
4Industry group
5Industry
6National industry

Sector #Description
11Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing and Hunting
21Mining, Quarrying, and Oil and Gas Extraction
22Utilities
23Construction
31-33Manufacturing
41/42Wholesale Trade
44-45Retail Trade
48-49Transportation and Warehousing
51Information
52Finance and Insurance
53Real Estate and Rental and Leasing
54Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
55Management of Companies and Enterprises
56Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services
61Educational Services
62Health Care and Social Assistance
71Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation
72Accommodation and Food Services
81Other Services
91/92Public Administration

History

NAICS is a collaborative effort by Mexico's Instituto Nacional de Estadística y Geografía, Statistics Canada, and the United States Office of Management and Budget, through its Economic Classification Policy Committee, staffed by the Bureau of Economic Analysis, the Bureau of Labor Statistics, and the Census Bureau. The system is designed to be largely compatible with the United Nations Statistical Office's International Standard Industrial Classification system. NAICS versions are released every five years.
With the first version, released in 1997, NAICS offered enhanced coverage of the service sector, relative to SIC. The 2002 revision accommodated significant changes in the Information Sector. The 2012 revision slightly reduced the number of industries and modified six sectors.