Time Use Statistics in the Context of Social Statistics
Time Use Statistics Workshop for Arabic Speaking Countries
25 – 28 April 2011, Amman, Jordan
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
Time Use Statistics Workshop for Arabic Speaking Countries
25 – 28 April 2011, Amman, Jordan
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
Time Use Statistics Workshop for Arabic Speaking Countries
25 – 28 April 2011, Amman, Jordan
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
Time Use Statistics Workshop for Arabic Speaking Countries
25 – 28 April 2011, Amman, Jordan
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
Time Use Statistics Workshop for Arabic Speaking Countries
25 – 28 April 2011, Amman, Jordan
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 – GenderRelated Development Index
Time Use Statistics Workshop for Arabic Speaking Countries
25 – 28 April 2011, Amman, Jordan
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
Time Use Statistics Workshop for Arabic Speaking Countries
25 – 28 April 2011, Amman, Jordan
Meeting data needs
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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
Time Use Statistics Workshop for Arabic Speaking Countries
25 – 28 April 2011, Amman, Jordan
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
Time Use Statistics Workshop for Arabic Speaking Countries
25 – 28 April 2011, Amman, Jordan
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
Time Use Statistics Workshop for Arabic Speaking Countries
25 – 28 April 2011, Amman, Jordan
Methodological issues
 Three types of units of enumeration
 Household
 Household member
 Time
 Seasonality
 Workweek vs. weekends
 Rare events
Time Use Statistics Workshop for Arabic Speaking Countries
25 – 28 April 2011, Amman, Jordan
Methodological issues
 Data collection methods
 Short form/long form
 Self-administered (real time)
 Recollection method
 Obstacles: Watches not common
 Literacy
 Interviewers
 Background information
 Sampling
Time Use Statistics Workshop for Arabic Speaking Countries
25 – 28 April 2011, Amman, Jordan
Methodological issues
 Context variables
 What for?
 For whom?
 With whom?
 Paid or non-paid activity?
 Location of the activity?
Time Use Statistics Workshop for Arabic Speaking Countries
25 – 28 April 2011, Amman, Jordan
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)
Time Use Statistics Workshop for Arabic Speaking Countries
25 – 28 April 2011, Amman, Jordan
Classification of time use
 Harmonized European Time Use Surveys
(HETUS)
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Gainful work, study
Domestic work
Travel
Sleep
Meals, personal care
Free time, unspecified time use
Time Use Statistics Workshop for Arabic Speaking Countries
25 – 28 April 2011, Amman, Jordan
Concluding remarks
 Powerful statistical instrument
 Measure paid and unpaid work
 Measure host of other phenomena
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Division of labor within family
Characteristics of family life
Social connectedness
Civic participation
Wellbeing
Happiness?
Time Use Statistics Workshop for Arabic Speaking Countries
25 – 28 April 2011, Amman, Jordan
Concluding remarks
 Complete diary vs. light form
 Further experiments necessary
 “Long form/Short form” paradigm?
 Advantages and disadvantages – need
for evaluation
Time Use Statistics Workshop for Arabic Speaking Countries
25 – 28 April 2011, Amman, Jordan
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
Time Use Statistics Workshop for Arabic Speaking Countries
25 – 28 April 2011, Amman, Jordan