The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI), India, has reported a decline in the time women spent on unpaid household work in 2024 compared to 2019. However, time spent on caregiving services has increased for both men and women. The survey also noted an increase in employment-related activities among women and a shift in time spent on socializing and leisure activities.
Women in India have reduced the time spent on unpaid household work in 2024 compared to 2019, while both men and women have increased their time dedicated to caregiving services, according to the latest Time Use Survey by the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI).
The survey, conducted to analyze how people allocate their daily time, revealed that women spent 16.4 percent of their total time on unpaid household work in 2024, a slight decline from 16.9 percent in 2019. Interestingly, while the time spent on domestic work declined in rural areas, urban women saw a rise in household responsibilities.
Shift Towards Employment and Caregiving
The reduction in unpaid work corresponds with an increase in employment-related activities among women, with time spent rising to 4.9 percent in 2024 from 4.2 percent in 2019. The report also highlighted that in urban areas, people spent over eight hours per day on employment, while those in rural regions spent around seven hours.
The survey found a notable increase in caregiving services, with women’s time rising to 3.3 percent of their total daily schedule compared to 2.6 percent in 2019. The increase for men was marginal, from 0.8 percent to 0.9 percent.
Changes in Social and Leisure Activities
MoSPI data also pointed out that men spent less time socializing, with the share dropping from 9.3 percent in 2019 to 8.6 percent in 2024. Meanwhile, the time spent on mass media and leisure activities rose for both men and women, increasing from 9 percent in 2019 to 11 percent in 2024. This shift underscores the growing influence of social media and digital entertainment in India.
India Among Few Countries Conducting Time Use Surveys
India is one of the few countries globally, including Australia, Japan, South Korea, New Zealand, the USA, and China, that conduct a National Time Use Survey. The primary objective of this initiative is to assess the participation of men and women in both paid and unpaid activities, offering valuable insights into evolving societal trends.
As women’s participation in employment continues to rise and caregiving demands increase, the survey highlights the changing dynamics of daily life in India.