The Time Use Survey: A Detailed Exploration of Time Allocation and Gender Dynamics

FAQs on the Time Use Survey

1. What is the Time Use Survey (TUS)?

The Time Use Survey (TUS) measures how individuals allocate their time across a variety of activities, such as employment, unpaid domestic work, caregiving, learning, leisure, and other pursuits. This survey provides insights into gender roles, work-life balance, and the economic contributions of unpaid labor.

2. Who conducts the Time Use Survey in India?

The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) is responsible for conducting the Time Use Survey in India, focusing on assessing time distribution among different population groups.

3. Why is the Time Use Survey important?

The survey delivers valuable insights into:

• The division of unpaid domestic and caregiving work between men and women.
• Labor force participation, including both paid and unpaid work.
• Time spent on learning, leisure, and social activities.
• Policy formulation aimed at promoting gender equality, employment, and social welfare.

4. How does the TUS define unpaid work?

Unpaid work encompasses activities such as cooking, cleaning, caring for children, the elderly, or differently-abled family members, and voluntary labor. While essential for household functioning, these tasks are not compensated monetarily.

5. What are the major findings of the 2024 Time Use Survey?

• Women spent 201 minutes more than men on unpaid domestic work.
• Women dedicated 137 minutes to unpaid caregiving, which is 62 minutes more than men.
• Men's participation in unpaid activities rose to 45.8% in 2024 from 43.9% in 2019.
• Learning time decreased for both genders: 415 minutes for men and 413 minutes for women in 2024.
• The share of women in paid work increased to 20.6% from 17.1% in 2019.

6. How much time do men and women spend on unpaid domestic work?

• Men: 88 minutes per day.
• Women: 289 minutes per day.
• Gap: Women spend 201 minutes more than men.

7. Has the time spent on unpaid household work changed over time?

Yes, the time spent by women on unpaid domestic work slightly declined from 299 minutes in 2019 to 289 minutes in 2024, but the gap between men and women remains significant.

8. What is the participation rate of women and men in unpaid work?

• 83.9% of women participated in unpaid work in 2024, similar to 84% in 2019.
• Men's participation in unpaid work increased from 43.9% in 2019 to 45.8% in 2024.

9. How much time do men and women spend on caregiving?

• Men: 75 minutes per day.
• Women: 137 minutes per day.
• Gap: Women spend 62 minutes more than men.

10. How does the gender gap in unpaid work reflect social norms?

The survey illustrates traditional gender roles, with household and caregiving responsibilities disproportionately assigned to women. Despite some progress, women continue to bear the majority of unpaid domestic and caregiving tasks.

11. What are the implications of women’s higher unpaid work burden?

• Limits women's participation in formal employment and economic activities.
• Contributes to income disparities and diminished financial independence.
• Affects work-life balance, mental health, and overall well-being.
• Reinforces gender stereotypes that unpaid care work is primarily a female obligation.

12. How much time do men and women spend on paid work?

• Men: 341 minutes per day in employment-related activities.
• Women: 333 minutes per day in employment-related activities.
• While the gap is minimal in total time spent, men have higher participation rates in formal jobs.

13. What changes were observed in learning time?

Both men and women dedicated less time to learning in 2024 compared to 2019:

• Men: 415 minutes per day (down from 426 minutes).
• Women: 413 minutes per day (down from 423 minutes).
• Children aged 6-14 years had a high participation rate (89.3%) in learning activities.

14. How much time do people spend on leisure and social activities?

• Leisure activities (sports, media, culture): 164-167 minutes per day for both genders.
• Socializing, community participation, and religious activities: 138-147 minutes per day.

15. What is the share of women in paid activities?

The share of women engaged in paid activities rose from 17.1% in 2019 to 20.6% in 2024, indicating slow but steady progress in female labor force participation.

16. How does the survey help in policy formulation?

The findings assist in:

• Designing gender-sensitive labor policies.
• Promoting equal pay and better job opportunities for women.
• Recognizing and valuing unpaid care work through policy measures like subsidized childcare.
• Encouraging the redistribution of unpaid work between genders.