巴德学院利维经济研究所-改进计量工作时间使用数据收集的最新举措：一些问题（英）

Working Paper No. 1092 Recent Initiatives in Improving the Collection of Time-use Data for Measuring Work: Some Issues by Indira Hirway Centre for Development Alternatives, India September 2025 The Levy Economics Institute Working Paper Collection presents research in progress by Levy Institute scholars and conference participants. The purpose of the series is to disseminate ideas to and elicit comments from academics and professionals. Levy Economics Institute of Bard College, founded in 1986, is a nonprofit, nonpartisan, independently funded research organization devoted to public service. Through scholarship and economic research, it generates viable, effective public policy responses to important economic problems that profoundly affect the quality of life in the United States and abroad. Levy Economics Institute P.O. Box 5000 Annandale-on-Hudson, NY 12504-5000 http://www.levyinstitute.org Copyright © Levy Economics Institute 2025 All rights reserved ISSN 1547-366X ABSTRACT Time-use data are expected to help in understanding and addressing critical socioeconomic concerns including gender inequalities in a country. The data also help in integrating gender into economic analysis and economic policy making to promote inclusive development. Against this rising demand for time-use data, the supply of quality time-use data is not coming forth, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. The problems faced by developing countries are basically of two types: those related to survey design and its different components and those pertaining to the collection of time-use data. The first type of problem can be resolved largely by compiling a comprehensive guidebook by UNSD—which is already done. The second type of problem requires radical changes in time-use data collection methods. This paper presents the recommendations made by UN Women, UNSD, the World Bank, ILO, and other experts, and makes an assessment of these recommendations. The paper argues that a light time diary, recommended by these organizations does not particularly help in accessing quality time-use data. The paper recommends that though a time-use survey is a complex survey, particularly in a country where literacy is low, the survey is feasible if adequate care is taken by the National Statistical Office (NSO). JEL CODES: AJH KEYWORDS: Time poverty, LIMTIP, time deficits, unpaid family labor INTRODUCTION As is well-known, time-use surveys (TUS) provide comprehensive information on how individuals spend their time—on a daily or weekly basis—on different activities like economic activities that fall within the production boundary, activities that fall within the general production boundary but outside the production boundary—like unpaid household services, care and voluntary services—and personal activities that fall outside the general production boundary, and are non-delegable, like eating, sleeping, watching the television, etc. TUS is the only s