Time Use Statistics in the Context of Social Statistics

1. Time Use Statistics in the Context of Social Statistics

2. Definition • Time – part of the fundamental structure of the universe, a dimension in which events occur in sequence • Different measurement of time around the world • Time – measure of activities • Daily activities - regulated by the clock • In principle, every activity “costs” time – and that time can be measured

3. Definition • Time use surveys – quantitative summaries of how individuals “spend” or allocate their time over a specified period • Typically over 24 hours of the day

4. Origin and history • Originated in early 20th century • Use of labor force • Industrialization • Effects on society • Applied in USSR until 1960’s • In 1960’s Alexandre Szalai • First attempt at international comparison – 12 countries - harmonization

5. Origin and history • In 1980’s focus on paid work • Productivity • Small samples • Various government agencies – not statistical offices • Low interest • Commercial purposes – use of leisure time

6. Origin and history • In 1990’s sharp increase in interest – focus on gender and unpaid work • Beijing Platform for action – suitable means to recognize and make visible the full extent of the work of women • Human Development Report 1995 – Gender-Related Development Index

7. Meeting data needs • Economic – quantifying household production and not-for profit activities • Satellite accounts • Energy consumption – patterns of consumption • Leisure and recreation • Culture and identity • Paid work • Social connectedness • Knowledge and skills

8. Meeting data needs • Standard of living - wellbeing • Older people • Youth • Children • Second hand tobacco exposure • Exercise and sedentary activity • Occupational health and safety • Infectious disease transmission • Intra-household decision-making and division of labor

9. Meeting data needs • In developing countries • Netting economic work of the poor • Improving estimates of national income • Policy guidelines Example: Philippines - unpaid work adds 66% to the GDP - women’s share in GDP rose from 39% to 47% - women account for 60% of all unpaid work

10. Meeting data needs • Contribution of women is often overlooked • Global Gender Statistics Programme focuses on time use statistics • Informal sector • Unpaid work • Caring for family members • Intra-household balance

11. Methodological issues • Three types of units of enumeration • Household • Household member • Time • Seasonality • Workweek vs. weekends • Rare events

12. Methodological issues • Data collection methods • Short form/long form • Self-administered (real time) • Recollection method • Obstacles: Watches not common • Literacy • Interviewers • Background information • Sampling

13. Methodological issues • Context variables • What for? • For whom? • With whom? • Paid or non-paid activity? • Location of the activity?

14. Classification of time use • Trial International Classification of Activities for Time Use Statistics (ICATUS) • Designed to • Collect data on time use • Measure unpaid work • Type of activity complemented by the purpose of activity (what, with whom and what for)

15. Classification of time use • Harmonized European Time Use Surveys (HETUS) • Gainful work, study • Domestic work • Travel • Sleep • Meals, personal care • Free time, unspecified time use

16. Concluding remarks • Powerful statistical instrument • Measure paid and unpaid work • Measure host of other phenomena • Division of labor within family • Characteristics of family life • Social connectedness • Civic participation • Wellbeing • Happiness?

17. Concluding remarks • Complete diary vs. light form • Further experiments necessary • “Long form/Short form” paradigm? • Advantages and disadvantages – need for evaluation

18. Concluding remarks • International Programme on Time use Surveys • Conduct such a survey at least once in ten years • Implement international guidelines and statistical standards • Disseminate results in timely manner • Procedures for exchanging experiences and training