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This resource explores the significance of time use surveys in social statistics, covering various aspects like economic quantification, leisure, culture, and more. It delves into how time use surveys can aid in understanding societal dynamics, such as gender roles, family dynamics, and overall well-being. The text evaluates methodological issues, classification criteria, and the impact of time use surveys on policy-making globally. Additionally, it discusses the need for integrating time use surveys into regular statistical systems, emphasizing the benefits for national income estimates and social policy guidelines. The conclusion emphasizes the importance of conducting time use surveys periodically, following international standards, and sharing results promptly for effective analysis and policymaking.
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Time Use Statistics in the Context of Social Statistics Social and Housing Statistics Section United Nations Statistics Division
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
Meeting data needs • Economic – quantifying household production and not-for profit activities • Energy consumption – patterns of consumption • Leisure and recreation • Culture and identity • Paid work • Social connectedness • Knowledge and skills
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
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
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
Methodological issues • Three types of units of enumeration • Household • Household member • Time • Seasonality • Workweek vs. weekends • Rare events
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)
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
Time use surveys since 1990 • Time use surveys UNSD website • http://unstats.un.org/unsd/demographic/sconcerns/tuse/default.aspx
Time use surveys since 1990 • Over 62 countries conducted at least one national or pilot survey in the past 20 years • Most of them in developed countries • In seven countries only a pilot survey • Albania, Armenia, Greece, Indonesia, Nigeria, the Philippines and Slovak Republic • In three countries not by NSO • Denmark, Ireland and Tanzania
Time use surveys since 1990 • Twelve countries conducted more than one survey • Australia, Canada, Japan, Latvia, Lithuania, Germany, Netherlands, New Zealand, Poland, South Africa, UK and USA • Six countries conducted a pilot and full-fledged survey • Romania, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia and Turkey • Time use surveys not completely integrated as regular surveys in national statistical systems • Periodicity
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?
Concluding remarks • Complete diary vs. light form • Further experiments necessary • “Long form/Short form” paradigm? • Advantages and disadvantages – need for evaluation
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