Time use patterns and activity sequences among older adults in India: socio-demographic correlates from time use survey

This study investigated elderly individuals’ time use and its association with socio-economic and demographic factors. The study relies on data from the 2019 Time Use Survey conducted by the Indian National Statistical Office, encompassing 52,414 individuals aged 60 and above. Time use was classified into nine categories and recombined as leisure, maintenance and subsistence activities. Descriptive statistics and ordinary least squares (OLS) were used to address the objective. The findings revealed that elderly people in India primarily allocate their time to activities such as sleep (10 h), self-care, social participation, and passive leisure. Furthermore, a significant gender gap in time use among the elderly is observed, with females spending less time on leisure and subsistence activities but more time on maintenance activities than males. Urban elderly allocate more time to leisure activities and less time to maintenance activities than their rural counterparts, although differences in subsistence time are not significant. Higher educational attainment is associated with increased leisure and reduced subsistence time, while maintenance time shows no consistent educational gradient. Similarly, higher economic status is correlated with greater leisure and lower maintenance time. Household size is positively associated with leisure and negatively with maintenance, but shows no clear relationship with subsistence. Elderly residing in pucca dwellings spend significantly more time on leisure and less time on both maintenance and subsistence than those living in kutcha dwellings. By shedding light on the time allocation patterns of older adults, this research enhances our understanding of the factors influencing their daily routines. These insights have several implications for ageing-related policy in India. The positive association between education and leisure time suggests that expanding access to adult education and digital literacy programs may promote social participation and help reduce isolation among older adults. In addition to that, income security and housing improvement schemes may enable older adults to engage more in leisure and social activities, thereby enhancing their overall well-being and quality of life.