Why in the News?
The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) has released the 2nd edition of the Time Use Survey.
What’s in Today’s Article?
- Time Use Survey (Objectives, Key Findings, Implications, Future Outlook, etc.)
Introduction:
- The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) recently released the Time Use Survey (TUS) 2024, highlighting significant trends in how Indians allocate their time to various activities, including employment, caregiving, and leisure.
- The National Statistics Office (NSO), MoSPI conducted the first all-India Time Use Survey during January – December 2019.
- The present TUS conducted during January – December 2024 is the second such All-India Survey.
- A key takeaway from the report is the increase in women’s participation in employment-related activities, signalling a gradual shift from unpaid domestic work to paid jobs.
- This transformation is a crucial development in India’s labor market dynamics, reflecting economic and social changes.
Key Findings of Time Use Survey 2024:
- Rise in Workforce Participation
- The participation of women in employment-related activities has increased from 21.8% in 2019 to 25% in 2024.
- For men, the figure has risen from 70.9% to 75%.
- This data reflects an expanding economic role for women, although the gender gap in labor participation remains substantial.
- Decline in Time Spent on Unpaid Domestic Work
- Women spent 305 minutes per day on unpaid domestic services in 2024, compared to 315 minutes in 2019, indicating a transition toward paid work.
- Male members spent significantly less time on such tasks, averaging 88 minutes per day.
- Women’s Role in Caregiving
- 41% of women aged 15-59 participated in caregiving activities, compared to only 21.4% of men in the same age group.
- Women spent 137 minutes per day in caregiving, nearly double the 75 minutes spent by men.
- These figures highlight the continued burden of unpaid caregiving on women despite an increase in their economic participation.
Implications of the Changing Work Dynamics:
- Economic Impact
- The shift of women from unpaid domestic duties to paid jobs has economic benefits, including:
- Higher household incomes: Additional earnings from female members contribute to family well-being
- Enhanced productivity: More women in the workforce can drive economic growth.
- Formalization of labor: More women entering paid jobs can lead to increased labor formalization and social security benefits.
- Social and Policy Implications
- Despite progress, gender disparities in workforce participation persist. The findings highlight the need for:
- Skill Development Programs: To help women transition into better-paying jobs.
- Flexible Work Policies: Including remote work and part-time options to balance professional and domestic responsibilities.
- Government Support: Policies like maternity benefits, affordable childcare, and financial incentives to encourage female workforce participation.
Leisure and Cultural Activities:
- People aged 6 and above spent 171 minutes per day on cultural, leisure, and mass-media activities.
- Men spent slightly more time on these activities (177 minutes) than women (164 minutes), reflecting the gendered division of time.
Education and Self-Care:
- 89.3% of children aged 6-14 participated in learning activities, spending around 413 minutes per day on studies.
- Self-care and maintenance accounted for an average of 708 minutes per day across all age groups.
Future Outlook and Recommendations:
- Strengthening Skill Training: Expanding vocational training programs for women in sectors like IT, healthcare, and entrepreneurship.
- Creating More Job Opportunities: Encouraging industries to hire more women through affirmative action.
- Enhancing Social Security Benefits: Strengthening maternity benefits, pension schemes, and workplace protections for female workers.
- Workplace Inclusivity Initiatives: Promoting gender-sensitive policies in both urban and rural employment sectors.
Conclusion:
The Time Use Survey 2024 underscores a positive shift toward greater female workforce participation in India. While progress has been made, gender disparities remain, necessitating policy interventions, skill development, and supportive work environments to ensure that more women can transition from unpaid domestic work to meaningful employment.
A continued focus on gender equity in employment will play a crucial role in India’s economic growth and social progress.
