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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 Activities Non-productive (personal)
Within SNA Productive Boundary Outside SNA Productive Boundary
01 Formal employment 06 Household – services for own use 09 Learning
02 Household – primary production of goods
07 Household – unpaid work 10 Socializing
03 Household – non-primary production of goods
08 Household – volunteer work 11 Cultural, entertainment
04 Household - construction 12 Hobbies, games
05 Household – services for income 13 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
