A study featured in MoSPI publication Sarvekshana (April 2026) provides the first systematic measurement of time poverty in India, using data from the 2019 Time Use Survey (TUS). The study defines time poverty as insufficient discretionary time for rest, leisure, and self-care after accounting for both paid and unpaid work.
Applying poverty measurement techniques to time use, the study establishes thresholds across age groups. For adults aged 15–59, individuals working more than 10 hours per day are classified as time poor, with 29.6% of the population falling into this category. Among those aged 60 and above, time poverty is even higher at 38.5%, based on a lower threshold of 6.25 hours per day.
The findings underscore that time poverty is a distinct dimension of well-being, often independent of income, and is heavily influenced by gender, marital status, and employment type.
Urban populations show slightly higher time poverty than rural areas, and individuals with lower education levels are more likely to experience severe time constraints. The study highlights that structural factors, not just income, determine how individuals experience time scarcity.
Key Statistical and Demographic Benchmarks
Adult Time Poverty (Lower Threshold): 29.6% of the population aged 15–59.
Senior Citizen Time Poverty (Lower Threshold): 38.5% of those aged 60+.
Gender Gap: 30.1% of women are time poor compared to 29.2% of men at the lower threshold.
Urban vs. Rural: Urban adults face slightly higher time poverty (31.1%) than their rural counterparts (29.0%).
Marital Factor: Married, widowed, or separated individuals are significantly more likely to be time poor than those who have never married.
Education Impact: Higher education levels are strongly associated with a lower probability of being time poor.
What is "Time Poverty"?
Time poverty is a condition where an individual lacks sufficient time for rest, leisure, or personal care because they are overworked. While traditional poverty focuses on a lack of money, time poverty focuses on a lack of the 24 hours available in a day. In India, this often manifests as a "double burden" for women, who may engage in paid labor while also spending significant hours on mandatory unpaid domestic work and caregiving. Being time poor can lead to physical exhaustion, mental stress, and a reduced ability to participate in social or educational activities.
Policy Relevance
Complements Income Metrics: Recognising time poverty allows the Ministry of Finance and NITI Aayog to develop more nuanced social welfare policies that account for hidden labor, especially in rural areas.
Addresses Gender Inequality: The high incidence of time poverty among women highlights the need for policies that promote the redistribution of unpaid care work and the provision of affordable childcare.
Informs Workplace Reforms: Data on the high time poverty of regular wage and casual laborers supports the case for flexible work arrangements and stricter enforcement of labor hours.
Targets Infrastructure Development: Improving access to labor-saving technologies (such as piped water and clean cooking fuel) can directly reduce the hours spent on domestic chores, particularly in rural India.
Enhances Public Health: By identifying groups with the least time for self-care, the Ministry of Health can better predict and manage stress-related health outcomes in the workforce.
Follow the Full Paper Here (Page 47 to 85): MoSPI - Sarvekshana Journal Issue 120 (April 2026)