Gender Dynamics in Time Use: A Comparative Analysis of India's 2019 and 2024 Surveys (National-Level Trends)

This report provides a comparative analysis of India's Time Use Surveys (TUS) from 2019 and 2024, conducted by the National Statistical Office (NSO). The primary objective is to assess the changes in time allocation for paid and unpaid work between men and women, thereby quantifying shifts in the gender gap. The analysis reveals a positive trend in female employment participation for the 15-59 age group, which rose from 21.8% in 2019 to 25% in 2024. However, a significant gender disparity persists in unpaid work; women spent 305 minutes per day on unpaid domestic services in 2024, compared to just 88 minutes for men. Notably, male participation in caregiving is slowly increasing, and overall time dedicated to leisure has grown from 9.9% to 11.0% of the day. These findings depict a nation in transition, with progress in female economic empowerment counterbalanced by the enduring and disproportionate burden of unpaid labor on women. The report concludes with policy implications aimed at fostering greater gender equality.