Time Use Statistics Workshop for Arabic Speaking Countries 25 – 28 April 2011, Amman, Jordan 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 20 th 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 – Gender- Related 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  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) 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 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  Complete diary vs. light form Further experiments necessary “Long form/Short form” paradigm? Advantages and disadvantages – need for evaluation Concluding remarks

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