Developing Activity Classifications for Time-Use Surveys Andrew Hancock Statistics New Zealand Prepared for 2013 Meeting of the UN Expert Group on International Statistical Classifications

Contents Why have activity classifications in a TUS? Essential components ICATUS Dimension of Time International Approaches 2013 UN Expert Group Meeting

Why have activity classifications in a TUS? Groups and organises activity information meaningfully and systematically Categorises different activities providing a picture of how people lead their lives Identifies how much time is spent on economic and non-economic activities Supports policy making and international comparability of statistical data 2013 UN Expert Group Meeting

Essential components of an Activity Classification A consistent conceptual basis that meets user needs Categories are mutually exclusive and exhaustive and definitions are clear and unambiguous Up-to-date and robust enough to last for a period of time Provides comparability over time and between collections Participation in activities totals 24 hours to reflect time diary 2013 UN Expert Group Meeting

ICATUS ICATUS was designed to: Provide a set of activity categories for producing statistics on time use Be suitable at the national level, and provide comparability at regional and international levels Serve as a standard activity classification consistent with existing standard classifications in labour and economic statistics Be applicable to both developing and developed countries Enable classifying activities to a five level hierarchic structure 2013 UN Expert Group Meeting

ICATUS (cont) ICATUS was prepared on two main principles: Maintaining consistency with the conceptual framework of the System of National Accounts (SNA), taking into account the boundaries between economic and non-economic activities, and productive and non-productive activities Building on existing national and regional classifications, keeping in mind the experiences of both developed and developing countries 2013 UN Expert Group Meeting

ICATUS (cont) ICATUS was also based on three typologies: Activities performed in relation to production within the SNA production boundary Activities performed in relation to production activities within the general production boundary but outside the SNA production boundary, or “non-SNA work” activities Activities that are not considered as production activities 2013 UN Expert Group Meeting

ICATUS Major Divisions by SNA 2013 UN Expert Group Meeting Productive ActivitiesNon-productive (personal) Within SNA Productive Boundary Outside SNA Productive Boundary 01 Formal employment06 Household – services for own use09 Learning 02 Household – primary production of goods 07 Household – unpaid work10 Socializing 03 Household – non-primary production of goods 08 Household – volunteer work11 Cultural, entertainment 04 Household - construction12 Hobbies, games 05 Household – services for income13 Sports 14 Mass media 15 Personal care

Dimensions of Time Necessary Time: Activities that serve basic physiological needs Contracted Time: Activities related to paid work or education Committed Time: Activities related to maintaining a home or family Free Time: Time left after the previous three types have been used 2013 UN Expert Group Meeting

Adopting an international activity classification Does the conceptual base fit with the needs of the users? Does the classification structure reflect national requirements and assist policy making? Does it require additional ‘for whom’ or ‘with whom’ classifications? Does it facilitate international comparability? 2013 UN Expert Group Meeting

International approaches Many and varied flat and hierarchic approaches Varying conceptual approaches Differing focuses on data requirements Developed versus developing country needs Treatment of secondary or simultaneous activities 2013 UN Expert Group Meeting

International approaches (cont) Limited uptake of ICATUS and usually quite modified as ICATUS quite complex structurally Common international threads of sleeping, caring, housework, paid work, education and culture/leisure tend to better suit general policy issues regarding gender equality, work-life balance etc Economic focus versus social/household approach Lack of clarity on what is useful for international comparability 2013 UN Expert Group Meeting

Conclusions Obtain agreement on the conceptual base for an international standard Review need for consistency with existing labour and economic standards Clarify policy needs and end use of data to inform development Review lack of uptake of ICATUS 2013 UN Expert Group Meeting

Developing Activity Classifications for Time-Use Surveys Andrew Hancock Statistics New Zealand Prepared for 2013 Meeting of the UN Expert Group on International Statistical Classifications