The year 2017 saw the IT sector accelerate at a pace that caught many off guard. From startups innovating in cloud computing to established firms expanding digital consultancy, the surge in activity reshaped markets and employment landscapes alike. For analysts aiming to quantify this growth, ISIC codes 6201 (Computer programming) and 6202 (Computer consultancy) provide essential building blocks for a rigorous, data-driven picture.
The first step is aggregation. National statistical offices, business registries, and tax authorities hold data on firms registered under ISIC 6201 and 6202. By collecting annual revenue and employment figures from these sources, analysts can capture both the economic weight and the job creation impact of the sector. This dual lens—turnover and headcount—offers a fuller understanding than either metric alone.
However, the IT sector’s complexity requires caution. Many firms operate through subcontracting arrangements, outsourcing parts of projects to smaller vendors or offshore teams. Simply summing revenues or employment at face value risks double-counting or misrepresenting actual activity. Adjusting for subcontracted services is therefore critical.
To address this, analysts first identify firms reporting substantial outsourcing through financial disclosures or industry surveys. These reports often detail portions of revenue passed through to subcontractors, or employment figures reflecting only direct staff. Using this information, it becomes possible to subtract overlapping activity, refining the aggregate figures to reflect genuine sector growth.
Cross-referencing with trade and export data further enriches the analysis. IT services are among the most traded intangible goods, and export earnings can signal global competitiveness. Overlaying export volumes with ISIC-coded firm data reveals which sub-sectors are fueling international demand and where domestic growth might be more insular.
Regional disaggregation adds another layer. Growth rates in major metropolitan hubs often outpace national averages, while smaller cities or rural areas may lag behind. Policymakers seeking to foster balanced development can use this insight to target infrastructure upgrades, talent programs, or investment incentives.
While data imperfections exist—firms may straddle multiple ISIC codes, and informal activities may be missed—the combined use of ISIC 6201 and 6202 data, adjusted for subcontracting, provides a robust foundation for understanding the 2017 IT boom. It reveals not only the sector’s size but its structural dynamics, helping stakeholders distinguish between surface-level growth and sustainable expansion.
Ultimately, this approach underscores the evolving nature of the IT economy: a network of creators, consultants, and collaborators whose combined output shapes everything from innovation pipelines to employment patterns. Capturing that complexity demands care and nuance—something ISIC data, when used thoughtfully, is well positioned to deliver.