Agricultural economy in Zamagurie was poorly developed. The inhabitants of highland and Ruthenian villages made their living mainly by breeding sheep and cattle, because in the hard-to-reach, mountainous part of Zamagurie, harsh climatic conditions, and the poorly fertile soil. In this poor agricultural area, it was possible to grow a small amount of cereals. This situation was changed by the introduction of potato crops in the 18th century, when the region became one of the most important potato agricultural areas in Slovakia. In the nineteenth century, the cultivation of flax and hemp gained in importance. Thanks to this, in Spisz, as well as in Orava and Liptov, the production of linen canvases was started, which were traded even outside the country. Over time, the artisanal production of linen laid the foundations for the textile industry. In 1860, a mechanical linen spinning and weaving mill was established in Kieżmark, which was the first industrial factory of this type not only in Slovakia, but also throughout the Kingdom of Hungary.
Mining and advanced artisanal production offset the poverty of Spiš agriculture. In the Slovak Ore Mountains, rich in copper and iron, the mining industry was of great importance already in the 14th and 15th centuries. In the nineteenth century, copper was mined mainly in Gelnice, Mníšek nad Hnilcom, Nálepkov, Poráč, Slovinki, Smolník, Spišská Nowa Wieś and Švedlár. Iron ore mines were located in Kluknava, Krompachy and Spišské Štvrtek. Due to the developed mining of ores in Zamagórze, the metallurgical craftsmanship was the leading one, and in Spiska Nowa Wieś, the production of copper vessels and bell foundry (crafts involving the production of bronze castings).
The most common professions in Zamagurie were: tanning, masonry, carpentry, goldsmithing, hat-making and cloth making. The largest craft and trade centers were Kieżmark, Spiska Sobota and Lewocza. In the forest areas of northern Zamagurie, mainly wood and wicker products were manufactured. Podoliniec and Hniezdne were centers of folk furniture production. The production of decorated vessels and shepherd's tools also achieved a high level in these areas. Another important craft in the region was and still is wicker, especially in Lackova. Wicker products from this village were sold on the markets of the entire eastern Slovakia and southern Poland.
Carting was a popular activity in Levoča and Biała Spiska. In poor villages (mainly Ruthenian ones) - in Kamienka, Wielki Lipnik, Litmanova, Hraničný, Sulín, Jarabin and Stráňany - wire was made using the cottage industry. Spis tinkers wandered around Potisí (the former name of the district in Slovakia) and Lesser Poland, practicing their craft until the 1950s.
The economy and culture of Zamagurie was also influenced by the Cistercian Order, whose abbey was founded here in 1223. The monks were engaged in agriculture, fishing, beekeeping, and mining of ores.
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