The National Statistics Office (NSO) has completed the second all-India Time Use Survey (TUS), conducted from January to December 2024, following the first survey conducted in 2019. This survey provides a comprehensive analysis of time allocation across various human activities, including paid work, unpaid domestic work, caregiving, commuting, and leisure activities.
Importance of Time Use Survey (TUS)
- Unlike other household surveys, TUS captures time spent on all forms of work, including unpaid household work and caregiving, which are not accounted for in traditional economic indicators.
- It helps in understanding gender disparities in work participation and provides crucial data for policy-making on employment, work-life balance, and social welfare.
The survey results were released within three months of completion, with a Fact Sheet highlighting key findings published in February 2025.
Key Findings of Time Use Survey (TUS), 2024
Participation in Paid Activities
- Among individuals aged 15-59 years, 74.5% of males and 24.9% of females engaged in paid activities.
- On average, men spent 421 minutes per day on paid activities, while women spent 305 minutes.
Participation in SNA & Non-SNA Production Activities
- SNA (System of National Accounts) Production Activities (such as formal employment and agriculture): 79.2% of males and 43.4% of females (15-59 years) participated.
- Non-SNA Production Activities (such as unpaid household work and caregiving): 45% of males and 93.9% of females participated in these activities.
Time Spent on Commuting for Employment
- Men (15-59 years) spent an average of 77 minutes per day commuting for employment.
- Women in the same age group spent 67 minutes commuting.
Domestic & Caregiving Activities
- Women continue to bear the major share of household responsibilities, but male participation has increased.
- On normal days, 83.1% of females and 26.4% of males participated in domestic work.
- On holidays and off-days, 67.5% of females and 32.2% of males participated.
Use of Mass Media (Age 15-29 years)
- Urban youth: 87.4% reported using mass media, spending an average of 126 minutes per day.
- Rural youth: 73.4% engaged with mass media, spending 116 minutes daily.
Time Spent on Extracurricular Activities (Children & Youth)
- Children (6-14 years): Spent 61 minutes per day on extracurricular activities.
- Youth (15-29 years): Spent 74 minutes per day on extracurricular activities.
Significance of the TUS 2024 Findings
Gender Disparities in Workforce Participation:
- Women continue to shoulder the majority of unpaid domestic work, while their participation in paid employment remains significantly lower than men.
- Male participation in household work has increased, but the burden remains unevenly distributed.
Work and Commuting Patterns:
- Understanding time spent on commuting can help in designing better transport infrastructure and workplace policies.
Media Consumption Trends:
- The high media engagement among youth highlights digital penetration and media habits in India, which can influence education, awareness, and policymaking.
Extracurricular Activities and Child Development:
- The survey provides insights into how children and young adults engage in skill-building activities outside formal education.