Time Use Survey 2024: Indians Spending More Time on Paid Work, Media, and Leisure, Reports Government

Time Use Survey 2024 Shows Growth in Paid Work, Media Use, and Leisure Activities Across India

The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI), Government of India, has released the findings of the second all-India Time Use Survey (TUS) conducted between January and December 2024. The comprehensive survey reveals a significant shift in how Indians aged 6 years and above spend their daily time, with notable increases in participation in paid work, mass media, and leisure activities.

Conducted by the National Statistical Office (NSO), this survey builds on the first edition from 2019, offering insights into both SNA (System of National Accounts) and Non-SNA production activities, including paid employment, unpaid household duties, caregiving, and recreation.

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Key Findings

• Increase in Paid Work Participation: Among the working-age population (15-59 years), 74.5% of men and 24.9% of women participated in paid work. On average, men spent 421 minutes and women 305 minutes daily on paid activities.
• Unpaid Household and Care Work Still Female-Dominated: While 93.9% of women engaged in unpaid Non-SNA production activities, such as domestic work and caregiving, only 45% of men did the same. On a normal day, 83.1% of women performed domestic services compared to just 26.4% of men.
• Media Consumption on the Rise: Use of mass media is growing, particularly among the 15–29 age group. In urban areas, 87.4% of youth used mass media daily, spending about 126 minutes, while in rural areas, usage stood at 73.4% with 116 minutes spent on average.
• Commuting Patterns: Men in the 15–59 age group spent 77 minutes commuting for employment, while women spent 67 minutes.
• Children’s Activities: Children aged 6–14 spent an average of 61 minutes on extracurricular activities, while those aged 15–29 spent around 74 minutes daily.
• Work-Life Balance Trends: A balanced allocation of time is emerging, with increased engagement in cultural and leisure activities among the working-age group, indicating a more holistic lifestyle.

Survey Methodology and Coverage

The 2024 survey collected 24-hour time diary data from 4.54 lakh individuals aged 6 years and above across 1.39 lakh households in both rural and urban India. Activities were recorded in 30-minute intervals using the ICATUS 2016 classification and Computer Assisted Personal Interviewing (CAPI) technology.

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Gender and Age-Based Time Use Patterns

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