On the methodology of time budget surveys in the GDR

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Fiebiger, H.^{; 1}

Affiliations: Staatliche Zentralverwaltung für Statistik, Hans-Beimler-Str. 70/72, DDR - 1026 Berlin, GDR

Note: [1] Ms. H. Fiebiger studied economics from 1955 to 1959, when she obtained a diploma in economics. She is employed as a scientific worker at the State Central Administration of Statistics of the GDR.

Abstract: Statistical data on time utilization are part of the overall system of indicators of social statistics, being of importance for a complex analysis of the development of the standard of living of the population. Since the seventies the State Central Administration of Statistics of the GDR conducted time budget investigations in intervals of about 5 years. The households of workers and salaried employees are sampled. In the sampled households all females aged from 16 to 60 and all males aged from 16 to 65 take part in the survey. The interviewing period is one week each in April and September. The activities are recorded on the basis of rotation for one day between 0 and 24 hours in an open time record. Moreover, a number of activities carried out simultaneously are recorded including their duration. The interviewer records significant demographic features and characteristics of the material conditions under which the activities have been carried out. The time spent on individual activities is calculated as the average time spent by degree of participation.

DOI: 10.3233/SJU-1989-6302

Journal: Statistical Journal of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe, vol. 6, no. 3, pp. 207-212, 1989