1.
to occupy; to hold
To physically or abstractly occupy a place, position, or role.
重要な位置を占める。
To hold an important position.
この産業は経済の中で大きな割合を占めている。
This industry occupies a large share of the economy.
彼女は私の人生で特別な場所を占めている。
She holds a special place in my life.
2.
to account for; to make up
To constitute a certain proportion or percentage of a whole.
女性が全体の60%を占める。
Women account for 60% of the total.
食費が支出の大半を占めている。
Food costs make up the majority of the expenditure.
輸出に占める製造業の割合は年々減少している。
The proportion of manufacturing in exports is decreasing year by year.
This is a different word from 閉める (to close) and 締める (to tighten). Sense 2, expressing proportions and percentages, is extremely common in statistics, reports, and news.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 割合を占める: to account for a share
- 位置を占める: to hold a position
- 〜%を占める: to account for ~%
- 大半を占める: to make up the majority