A recent government survey has unveiled a significant shift in India's workforce participation, particularly among women. The Time Use Survey (TUS) 2024, conducted by the National Statistics Office (NSO), provides fresh insights into how Indians allocate their time between paid employment, unpaid domestic work, caregiving, and other activities.
The survey reveals a notable increase in employment participation among individuals aged 15-59. In 2024, 75 per cent of men and 25 per cent of women in this age group engaged in employment-related activities—an increase from 70.9 per cent and 21.8 per cent respectively, in 2019. While male workforce participation has always been dominant, the rise in female employment signals a positive trend towards greater economic inclusion for women.
Decline In Unpaid Domestic Work By Women
One of the most striking findings is the decline in time spent by women on unpaid domestic services. In 2019, women dedicated approximately 315 minutes per day to these tasks, which has now reduced to 305 minutes in 2024. However, despite this decline, women still spend 201 minutes more per day on household duties than men, who contribute only 88 minutes to such work.
Caregiving responsibilities remain predominantly female-oriented. The survey shows that 41 per cent of women aged 15-59 participated in caregiving activities, compared to just 21.4 per cent of men. On average, women spent about 140 minutes per day providing care, whereas men allocated only 74 minutes. This disparity highlights the persistent societal expectation that caregiving is primarily a woman’s responsibility.
Changes In Time Spent On Learning And Leisure
Another notable shift observed in the survey is the reduction in time spent on learning activities. Men spent 415 minutes per day on education in 2024, down from 426 minutes in 2019. Similarly, women’s learning time decreased to 413 minutes from 423 minutes. This decline warrants further investigation to understand its implications for future workforce preparedness.
Meanwhile, time spent on cultural, leisure, mass media, and sports activities saw an increase among men—from 164 minutes in 2019 to 177 minutes in 2024. Women, however, saw little change, spending 164 minutes on such activities in 2024, almost identical to their 165-minute allocation in 2019.
The 2024 Time Use Survey, covering 1.39 lakh households and 4.54 lakh individuals, offers a valuable lens into evolving gender roles in India. The increasing participation of women in paid employment and the slight reduction in unpaid domestic work indicate slow but promising progress toward gender parity. However, the persistent imbalance in caregiving responsibilities underscores the need for further societal and policy-driven efforts to ensure a more equitable distribution of household duties.
As India continues its journey towards gender inclusivity in the workforce, addressing the disproportionate burden of unpaid work on women will be crucial in achieving true economic empowerment for all.