Service economy growth seen

December 7, 1984

Changing demographics ensure the continued growth of the ''service economy'' in the United States, says Arthur D. Little Inc. of Cambridge, Mass. The service economy - ranging from insurance to hotels to software writing - accounts for 58 percent of the US gross national product and 54 percent of the work force, says consultant Carol Gibbons Krauss. Reasons for the growth: The baby-boom generation is moving into prime spending years (ages 35-44); computerization is bringing about new services such as automatic banking; and specialization is boosting the number of outside contractors required for tasks such as building maintenance.