Six charts show how Indian women’s unpaid labour underwrites the economy

Indian men spend less time on unpaid domestic and caregiving work compared to the women, and the little time they do spend is also concentrated in outdoor activities such as shopping, travelling, moving and transporting for family needs, and playing with children, an analysis of data from the Time Use Survey 2024 shows.

This leaves the bulk of caregiving and domestic work to the women, leaving little time for paid work or self-care, as IndiaSpend reported in January 2024. Women also undertake the bulk of mental labour associated with domestic work and care work, research shows.

Overall, women spend about 150% more time than men on domestic and caregiving services. When analysed per consumption levels, the participation of both men and women in domestic duties increased with higher levels of consumption, but the participation in caregiving work saw a decline.

Further, while participation levels are slightly higher among those employed in paid work, the average time spent on unpaid work is lower. Male participation was higher in the northeastern states and in Kerala, but lower in states such as Gujarat, Maharashtra and West Bengal.

In six charts, we analyse these patterns.

Indian women’s unpaid work plays a crucial role in sustaining economic activity, equivalent to 3.1% of gross domestic product, we had...

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