Public sector refers to the part of the economy that is controlled and owned by the government for the benefit of the public. Some synonyms for the term public sector include government sector, state sector, and public service. The government sector traditionally covers a broad range of activities that provide services to the public, including education, healthcare, public works, and public safety. The state sector can also refer to the administrative arm of the government. Public service is a term often used to describe individuals or groups who work in government agencies or departments to provide public services. These synonyms are often used interchangeably to denote the public sector or its various components.