Policy Area 5A. Measurement frameworks and data collection
Summary
Measurement frameworks and data collection are essential for understanding how care is provided, who provides it and how policies impact people’s lives. Scotland does not currently have a statutory or routine system for collecting time use data, and unpaid care remains largely invisible within existing measurement tools. This lack of consistent, gender disaggregated and intersectional data significantly limits Scotland’s ability to design effective policy, monitor progress or target investment.
Time use data provides insight into how unpaid care is distributed across gender, age, ethnicity, disability and income. Without it, the substantial contribution of unpaid care remains undervalued and under recognised.
Indicators in this policy area
Indicator 5A.1. Time use data collection
Time use data helps governments understand how unpaid care is distributed, how it affects people’s lives and its contribution to the wider economy. Scotland does not have a routine or statutory system for collecting this data. Without it, unpaid care remains largely invisible in policymaking and budgeting. Women, who undertake most unpaid care, are especially affected by this gap.
View indicator +Key challenges
- There is no policy at either the UK or Scotland level that mandates the regular collection of time-use data
- Heavy reliance on UK wide surveys
- Limited gender disaggregated and intersectional data on unpaid care
- Limited government capacity to analyse and use existing data
- No routine system for evaluating the distribution or redistribution of unpaid care work
Key strengths
- The Scottish Census includes a question that provides some insight into unpaid care
- UK wide time use surveys provide occasional data that includes Scotland through “boosters”
- Recognition within policy discussions that better data is essential for improving outcomes