People in Maharashtra are working harder than ever — but at the cost of personal well-being and social connections.
According to the Time Use Survey 2024, released by the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation, the average person in Maharashtra now spends 469 minutes a day on work-related tasks nearly 30 minutes more than the national average of 440 minutes.
This marks a sharp rise from 2019, when the average work time in the state was also 440 minutes.
Key Findings: The Unequal Clock
While work time has gone up, time for family, learning, self-care, and social life has gone down. The data shows clear disparities:
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Men spend 500 minutes daily on employment and related work.
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Women spend 395 minutes, but take on more unpaid domestic duties like cooking, cleaning, and caregiving.
On average:
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Women spend 281 minutes/day on unpaid housework, vs 90 minutes by men.
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Caregiving (children, elders, etc.): Women – 127 minutes, Men – 71 minutes.
Though these numbers have slightly dropped since 2019, gender roles remain deeply unequal.
The Decline of Personal Time
Compared to 2019, time spent on:
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Learning dropped from 434 to 415 minutes.
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Social and cultural activities went down from 145 to 132 minutes.
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Volunteering/internships/community work shrank from 151 to 116 minutes.
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Self-care (sleeping, eating, hygiene) also reduced — from 715 to 709 daily minutes.
Only one area saw a tiny rise: Recreation and hobbies, which inched up from 164 to 167 minutes.
Why It Matters
Experts warn that longer work hours and reduced personal time can increase risks of:
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Burnout and stress
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Mental health issues
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Poor physical health
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Weakened social bonds and family dynamics
This data isn’t just about how we use our time — it’s about how we live, and whether our lifestyles are truly sustainable or balanced.
A Tool for Policy Change
The Time Use Survey is more than statistics — it’s a mirror reflecting everyday life. It helps governments:
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Understand how people divide their day.
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Recognize gender gaps in unpaid work.
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Frame policies on labour, health, education, and gender equality.
Countries like USA, Australia, Canada, Germany, and Israel regularly use such surveys to improve governance and public welfare. India, too, can use this data to build a more inclusive and healthy society.
📊 What This Means for You
Whether you’re an employee, policymaker, educator, or caregiver — the message is clear: Work-life balance isn’t just personal. It’s political. And the time to act is now.
