Factors of production

Three factors of production -- land, labour, and capital -- have been identified in classical economic theory. Modern theory still makes extensive use of this concept although many textbooks fail to include it in the index or table of contents.

According to Paul A. Samuelson the three factors are further categorised into primary factors (land and labour) and the derived or produced factor, capital: A primary factor is... produced or given outside of the economy... rather than produced by the economic system.