1. © Federal Statistical Office of Germany In-depth review on Time use surveys Presentation by the Federal Statistical Office of Germany Bernd Stoertzbach, Head of Section

2. © Federal Statistical Office of Germany 08.06.2010 Slide 2 Outline Purpose of time use surveys Time use surveys of Germany, Finland and United States Sample design Time allocation Collection method Coding Lessons learned Issues and main challenges Further work

3. © Federal Statistical Office of Germany 08.06.2010 Slide 3 Purpose of time use surveys Description of living conditions Information for decision-making process Verification and interpretation of data Estimation of non-market work Assessment of the quality of life

4. © Federal Statistical Office of Germany 08.06.2010 Slide 4 Time use surveys in Germany, Finland and United States (1) Sample design Germany: Last time use survey 2001/2002 5,400 households; members from 10 years on Quota method Finland: Currently conducting a time use survey (2009/2010) 4,500 households; members from 10 years on Random sampling United States Continuous survey with 2,200 cases per month Randomly selected individuals who completed the Current Population Survey interviews Civilians noninstitutional over 14 years

5. © Federal Statistical Office of Germany 08.06.2010 Slide 5 Time use surveys in Germany, Finland and United States (2) Time allocation: Germany Time use recorded on three days (two weekdays, one day at the weekend) All household members record their time use on the same day Finland Time use recorded on two days (one weekday, one day at the weekend) All household members record their time use on the same day United States Interview of the time use on the previous day

6. © Federal Statistical Office of Germany 08.06.2010 Slide 6 Time use surveys in Germany, Finland and United States (3) Collection method: Germany Collection of data through paper diaries Respondents report their activities in their own words, in 10 minute intervals Primary and secondary activities; ‘where’ and ‘with whom’ Additional questionnaires for household and individuals Finland Collection of data through paper diaries Respondents report their activities in their own words, in 10 minute intervals Primary and secondary activities and ‘with whom’ Additional questionnaires for household and individuals in face-to- face interviews and interviews by telephone

7. © Federal Statistical Office of Germany 08.06.2010 Slide 7 Time use surveys in Germany, Finland and United States (4) Collection method: United States Collection of data through telephone interviews No secondary activities except childcare activities Additional information about household composition, demographics characteristics and labour force Government agencies can sponsor a 5 minute module of additional questions at the end of the survey

8. © Federal Statistical Office of Germany 08.06.2010 Slide 8 Lessons learned Introduction of additional column for means of transport (GER) Continuous data collection throughout the year (GER) Influence of the diary design (GER) Transition to samples of households (FIN) Less interviewers in the survey to retain the interviewers’ skills (FIN) Improvement of the data through publication and documentation (US) A continuous survey affects the conducting of time use surveys. The staff is familiar with the production process and the handling of the data and problems as well as new needs can be easily addressed. (US)

9. © Federal Statistical Office of Germany 08.06.2010 Slide 9 Issues and main challenges Coding: use of IT facilities/travel Sample design: concerns of parents about interviews with children Underreporting: sensitive issues/socially unaccepted activities Reducing response burden Periodicity: increased demand of information (Stiglitz/Household Satellite Accounts) Provide more background information (financial situation/health)

10. © Federal Statistical Office of Germany 08.06.2010 Slide 10 Conclusion Political interest of conducting time use surveys National Statistical Institutes Budget restriction

11. © Federal Statistical Office of Germany Thank You for your attention! Bernd Stoertzbach, Bernd.Stoertzbach@destatis.de Federal Statistical Office of Germany