49% of Qatari men engaged in income-generating work

The results of the “Time Use Survey” were released by the Ministry of Development Planning and Statistics (MDPS)
recently.

The study, conducted for the first time in the Qatar, was carried out by the ministry from September 2012, to September 2013, with a sample size of 16,574 (Qatari and non-Qatari).

The survey focused on the activities carried out by individuals aged 15 years and above in a day (24 hours), including different types of indoor and outdoor activities.

The data can be used for social and economic analysis, such as the economic contribution of women, value of domestic production, the informal sector and length of time for recreational and cultural activities.

The survey primarily aimed at identifying the quality of life - or public welfare - in Qatar. It also aimed to identify activities that individuals engaged in, including paid or unpaid business activities, household work, taking care of family members - including children and the elderly - as well as recreational activities such as watching TV, using the Internet and other similar activities.

The survey results show that the average time spent by Qatari men to meet their personal needs (sleeping, personal care and eating) is 10 hours and 51 minutes daily (45% of time spent on total activities), while Qatari women spend 11 hours and 42 minutes on the same
activities (49%).

Qatari men spend one hour and 50 minutes (8%) on household work and shopping, with Qatari women spending three hours and 19 minutes on the same activity (14%).

Further, the results show that the time allotted for education and learning during the day is around one hour and 6 minutes for Qatari males (5%) and one hour and 10 minutes (5%) for Qatari females.

In terms of recreational and cultural activities, including watching TV, reading books, surfing the Internet, travelling, spending free time on hobbies and visiting relatives, Qatari men spend five hours and 32 minutes (23%), while Qatari women spend five hours and three minutes (21%).

The average time spent on praying during the day is around 52 minutes (4%) for Qatari men and 46 minutes (3%) for Qatari women.

The survey indicates interesting results in terms of nationalities. It shows that Qatari individuals spend an average of 2 hours and 52 minutes (11.9%) on different income-generating activities, while non-Qataris spend 6 hours and
42 minutes (27.9%).

Also, while Qataris spend 2 hours and 37 minutes (10.9%) on household activities, non-Qataris spend 2 hours and 5 minutes (8.7%). An average of one hour and 8 minutes (4.7%) is spent on education and learning by Qataris, while non-Qataris spend 25 minutes (1.7%).

The survey results show that there is some convergence in terms of meeting personal needs, as the average time spent on these activities is 11 hours and 18 minutes for Qataris (47.1%) and 10 hours and 51 minutes for non-Qataris (45.2%).

The survey shows a large discrepancy between Qataris and non-Qataris in terms of recreational and cultural activities, as Qataris spend about 5 hours and 17 minutes daily on such activities (22%), while non-Qataris spend 3 hours and 31 minutes (14.6%).

With regard to the time spent on daily prayers, the survey results show that Qataris spend 49 minutes (3.4%), while non-Qataris spend 28 minutes (1.9%).