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Are people satisfied with their time use? Empirical evidence from German survey data

Author

Listed:
  • Marcus Dittrich

    (Deggendorf Institute of Technology)

  • Bianka Mey

    (Chemnitz University of Technology)

Abstract

Using data from the German Time Use Survey, we examine how people allocate their time and how satisfied people are with their time use. Our results suggest that people are more satisfied with the time spent on work and work-related activities than with the time spent on leisure, family, and friends. Moreover, we find that non-employed individuals are more satisfied with their time spent on private and leisure activities than employed individuals. Exploring the factors that affect overall time use satisfaction, we find - among significant age and gender effects - a much more positive effect of time spent on various leisure activities for employed than for non-employed individuals.

Suggested Citation

  • Marcus Dittrich & Bianka Mey, 2015. "Are people satisfied with their time use? Empirical evidence from German survey data," Economics Bulletin, AccessEcon, vol. 35(4), pages 2903-2914.
    • Handle: RePEc:ebl:ecbull:eb-15-00606
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Chadi, Adrian & Hetschko, Clemens, 2025. "Income or leisure? On the hidden benefits of (un)employment," European Economic Review, Elsevier, vol. 171(C).

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Time allocation; time use satisfaction;

    JEL classification:

    • I3 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Welfare, Well-Being, and Poverty
    • J2 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor

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