Time Use Survey (TUS) in India

The Time Use Survey (TUS) is a critical tool for understanding how individuals across different age groups and genders allocate their time to both paid and unpaid activities. It reflects the influence of gender norms and societal roles on time division within households and society at large.

Significance of TUS

• The United Nations 2030 agenda for Sustainable Development includes an indicator for measuring the “proportion of time spent on unpaid domestic and care work, by sex, age, and location," emphasizing gender equality and women empowerment.

Surveys Conducted

• India conducted two major TUS in 2019 and 2024, covering approximately 450,000 individuals aged six and above, with 60% from rural and 40% from urban areas.
• The surveys estimated average time spent across nine major activities over a 24-hour period.

Time Use Pattern of Indian Youth

India has a significant youth population aged 15–29 years, with projections estimating 370 million in 2024.

• In 2019, youth spent 148 minutes on employment-related activities, which increased to 158 minutes in 2024.
• Economic Survey 2024–25 reported that EPFO subscriptions more than doubled from 6.1 million in FY19 to 13.1 million in FY24, with 61% of new additions under age 29.
• Unemployment rates for rural and urban youth decreased in 2024 compared to 2019.
• Time allocation in 2019 included: 
  • 125 minutes on learning and socializing
  • 136 minutes on sports and cultural activities
  • 171 minutes on domestic and caregiving tasks
  • 735 minutes on self-care and other activities
• In 2024, sports and cultural activities grew to 156 minutes, while learning and caregiving times remained stable.

Rural-Urban Differences

• By 2024, rural and urban youth showed convergence in time-use patterns due to urbanization and development.
• Rural youth shifted focus from unpaid domestic services to employment-related tasks.
• Labour Force Participation Rate (LFPR) for rural youth increased from 37.8% (2018-2019) to 48.1% (2023-2024).

Gender Disparity in Time Use

• Significant gender disparity persists in time allocation for paid and unpaid activities.
• In 2019, young men spent 2.22% of their day on unpaid services, compared to 21.60% for young women. In 2024, it changed slightly to 2.36% for men and 22.01% for women.

Steps Towards Gender Equality

• Women's labor force participation increased significantly from 2018-19 to 2023-24, with rural females rising from 15.8% to 30.8% and urban from 17.1% to 23.8%.
• The increase in women's workforce participation aligns with the vision of a “Viksit Bharat.”