What this indicator measures

This indicator assesses Scotland’s approach to collecting and using time use data and other measurements related to unpaid care. It examines whether data is collected regularly, disaggregated, accessible and used to inform policy decisions. It also considers the extent to which data reflects gender, ethnicity, disability, income and geography.

Key findings

• Scotland does not operate its own routine time use survey
• UK wide surveys include Scotland, but are not conducted regularly enough to support ongoing policymaking
• The Census includes a single question on unpaid care, but does not capture detailed information on time spent caring
• There is no statutory framework requiring regular collection of unpaid care or time use data
• Limited government capacity restricts the ability to analyse and apply existing data
• Lack of intersectional data prevents detailed understanding of how unpaid care is distributed across different groups
• The absence of consistent data contributes to the ongoing undervaluation and invisibility of unpaid care

Impacts on families

Without time use data, the persistent undervaluation of unpaid care work, and the extent to which its contribution to society and the economy remains systematically excluded and rendered invisible.

Accessibility considerations

The lack of disaggregated time use data prevents understanding of levels of unpaid care work from an intersectional perspective and limits the ability to design effective policies.

Budget context

The Scottish Government has occasionally contributed to the ONS online Time Use Survey by funding a Scottish “booster” sample (i.e., an increased sample size) to ensure robust Scotland-level data. However, Scotland does not have dedicated budget provision for regular data collection or analysis. Without investment, a consistent national approach to measuring unpaid care cannot be established.

Overall interpretation

Time use data collection is essential for valuing care and addressing inequality. Scotland currently lacks the system’s capacity and funding needed to measure unpaid care and understand its distribution across society. Without regular, disaggregated and accessible data, unpaid care will remain undervalued, and policy design will continue to be limited. Significant investment and commitment are required to build a robust national framework for understanding care.