My time matters

TIME

MATTERS

We have a problem with time.

Together, cities and citizens are solving it.

#MyTimeMatters

EU KEY
FINDINGS

Historically, Europe has positioned itself as a global benchmark for social welfare and quality of life.

Recently, this commitment has translated into work-life balance policies, achieving significant milestones. For instance, according
to Eurofound, the gender gap in unpaid childcare and household work has declined by 27% (approximately 1 h) in two decades.

But despite these advances, a deeper imbalance remains, affecting Europe’s competitiveness, equality,
democracy, health, and social cohesion. The following indicators reveal a pressing issue: Europe has a
problem with time, and addressing it is now urgent.

We are moving in the right direction, but we still have a problem with time.

#MyTimeMatters for Work, Care and Life

#MyTimeMatters for Health and Well-being

#MyTimeMatters for Leisure and Democracy

COUNTRY
COMPARISON

Across Europe, people share a common problem with time. But this challenge doesn’t look the same everywhere — each country has its own particularities.

For the first time, we present a clear and comprehensive picture of the main time-related issues across nine EU countries — which are all part of the Time4All 2.0 project — using the latest official European data.

The results show how time shapes daily life across Europe — and how experiences differ across borders and gender lines.

Time Use Indicators · timeuse.barcelona

European Time Use Indicators

EU Key Findings

Europe cannot find the work-life balance: 45% of Europeans struggle to balance work and life. Percentage (%) of respondents that experience difficulties in combining paid work and housework responsibilities

45% EU-27 Median

Total Female Male EU-27 Median · 45.0%

Notes

Calculations are based on microdata from the European Institute for Gender Equality (EIGE)'s 2022 Survey of gender gaps in unpaid care, individual and social activities. The survey was carried out in all 27 Member States of the European Union with a total sample size of more than 60,000 respondents aged 16–74.

The numbers indicate the percentage (%) of respondents, who are both employed and involved in housework, who reported experiencing difficulties combining paid work with housework responsibilities on the following frequencies: Every day; 4 to 6 days a week; 1 to 3 days a week.

Source: European Institute for Gender Equality (EIGE)

While many European workers ask for flexible hours, only 23% enjoy them. Workers that can adapt working hours within certain limits (e.g. flexitime), in percentage (%)

18.7% EU-28 Median

Total Female Male EU-28 Median · 18.7%

Notes

Calculations are based on microdata from the European Working Conditions Survey (EWCS), coordinated by Eurofound. The survey aims to represent the population of all employed persons aged 15 or older.

The question considered is "How are your working time arrangements set?", from the 2015 EWCS survey. The results indicate those who answered: can adapt working hours within certain limits (e.g. flexitime).

Source: Eurofound

61% of the working-age population spends around 240 hours a year commuting — 10 full days lost on the move. Population spending around 240 hours a year commuting, in percentage (%)

61.2% EU-27 Median

Total Female Male EU-27 Median · 61.2%

Notes

Calculations are based on microdata from the European Working Conditions Survey (EWCS), coordinated by Eurofound. The survey aims to represent the population of all employed persons aged 15 or older.

The question considered is "In total, how many minutes per day do you usually spend travelling from home to work and back?", from the 2024 EWCS survey. The results indicate the sum of respondents (%) who answered: 30 to 59 minutes; 1 to 2 hours.

Source: Eurofound

Most European working-age adults sleep under 8 hours a day, and 35% struggle with sleep deprivation. Daily sleep hours (hh:mm) — adults aged 30–50, with children, employed full-time, on working weekdays

<8h EU Average

Total Female Male 8h reference

Notes

Data from the Multinational Time Use Study (MTUS), in collaboration with the Centre for Time Use Research (CTUR). Sample: adults aged 30–50, with dependent children, employed full-time. Restricted to working weekdays only.

Country years: Germany (2012), Bulgaria (2001), Belgium (2013), France (2009), Spain (2009), Greece (2013), Italy (2008), Poland (2003). No data available for Portugal.

Source: Centre for Time Use Research (CTUR)

16% of Europeans cannot take part in democratic or civic life simply because they don't have the time. Persons not participating in active citizenship because they don't have time, in percentage (%)

16% EU-27 Median

Total Female Male EU-27 Median · 16.0%

Notes

Calculations are based on microdata from the European Union Statistics on Income and Living Conditions (EU-SILC) from 2022, carried out in all 27 Member States. Results are for all population aged 20 to 64.

The indicator considered is "Persons not participating in active citizenship by sex, age, educational attainment level and reasons". The EU figure is estimated by Eurostat. No data available for Germany.

Source: Eurostat

European women dedicate 1 hour and 24 minutes more every day — the equivalent of over 21 days — to unpaid domestic and childcare work compared to men. Gender gap in daily hours dedicated to unpaid work (childcare + housework), in hours:minutes (hh:mm)

1h 24m EU-28 Gender Gap

Gender gap (Women − Men) EU-28 gap · 1h 24m

Notes

Calculations are based on microdata from the European Working Conditions Survey (EWCS), coordinated by Eurofound. The survey represents all employed persons aged 15 or older.

Care work data refers exclusively to childcare activities. Questions from the 2015 EWCS: "On average, how many hours per day do you spend on caring for and/or educating your children, grandchildren?" and "On average, how many hours per day do you spend on cooking and housework?"

Source: Eurofound

77% of Europeans work at a fast pace or under strict deadlines, leading to time pressure and burnout. Population working to tight deadlines and at a very high speed, in percentage (%)

76.5% EU-28 Median

Total Female Male EU-28 Median · 76.5%

Notes

Calculations are based on microdata from the European Working Conditions Survey (EWCS), coordinated by Eurofound. The survey represents all employed persons aged 15 or older.

The results indicate the sum of respondents (%) who answered "Sometimes", "Often" or "Always" to the following questions from the EWCS 7th round 2021: "Does your job involve working to tight deadlines?" and "Does your job involve working at very high speed?"

Source: Eurofound

54% of teenagers devote around 6 hours daily to leisure screen time — almost a full day each week spent online. Teenagers devoting around 6 hours daily to leisure screen time, in percentage (%)

53.6% EU-26 Average

Total EU-26 Average · 53.6%

Notes

Calculations are based on microdata from PISA 2022 Results (Volume II), adapted from OECD (2023). The population is 15-year-olds.

The indicator considered is "Percentage of students who spent the following amount of time per week using digital devices for leisure". The results are the sum of those who responded: More than 20 hours and up to 40 hours; More than 40 hours and up to 60 hours.

Source: OECD PISA

59% of Europeans have worked during their free time to meet job demands. Population working in their free time to meet work demands, in percentage (%)

59% EU-28 Median

Total Female Male EU-28 Median · 59%

Notes

Calculations are based on microdata from the European Working Conditions Survey (EWCS), coordinated by Eurofound. The survey represents all employed persons aged 15 or older.

The results indicate the sum of all respondents (%) that didn't answer "never" to the following question from the EWCS 7th round 2021: "How often have you worked in your free time to meet work demands?"

Source: Eurofound

84% of Europeans support ending the biannual clock change — yet institutions still haven't reached an agreement. Population in favour of putting an end to bi-annual clock change, in percentage (%)

84% EU-28 Median

Total EU-28 Median · 84%

Notes

Calculations are based on the European Commission's Summertime Consultation on clock change in Europe. This online consultation ran from 4 July to 16 August 2018 and received 4.6 million responses from all 28 Member States — the highest number of responses ever received in any Commission public consultation.

The results indicate the sum of all respondents (%) who answered "to abolish" to the question: "Which of the following alternatives would you favour?"

Source: European Commission

COUNTRY
INSIGHTS

Explore Your Country's Time Profile.

Beyond the general trends, each country faces its own nuanced problems with time.

Use this tool to select a nation and explore its unique time profile through two lenses: its standing compared to the European average and its internal gender disparities.

Explore the results to see where each country is making progress, which time problems remain most acute, and where action is needed to ensure time equality and well-being for all.

Spain

Time in Spain vs. EU

This table compares Spain's time indicators in relation to the EU average, identifying where results are better, similar, or worse.

Better	Worse	Similar
Commuting	Work-life balance	Sleeping hours
Civic participation	Time flexibility	Unpaid work
Screen time	—	Burnout
Biannual Clock-change*	—	Overtime

Countries within ±0.5 standard deviations of the EU average were classified as similar. *In Spain, there is more citizen support for ending the biannual clock-change.

Spain's Gender Time Gap

This table examines gender disparities in Spain, identifying where women or men are better off compared to the other gender, and where results are similar.

Men Better	Similar	Women Better
Work-life balance	Commuting	Overtime
Time flexibility	Sleeping hours	—
Unpaid work	Civic participation	—
—	Burnout	—

Countries with gender gaps within ±0.5 standard deviations from zero, based on the distribution of gender gaps across countries, were classified as showing similar outcomes between women and men.

Italy

Time in Italy vs. EU

This table compares Italy's time indicators in relation to the EU average, identifying where results are better, worse, or similar.

Better	Worse	Similar
Commuting	Work-life balance	Civic participation
Sleeping hours	Time flexibility	Burnout
—	Unpaid work	Screen time
—	Overtime	—
—	Biannual Clock-change*	—

Countries within ±0.5 standard deviations of the EU average were classified as similar. *In Italy, there is less citizen support for ending the biannual clock-change.

Italy's Gender Time Gap

This table examines gender disparities in Italy, identifying where women or men are better off compared to the other gender, and where results are similar.

Men Better	Similar	Women Better
Work-life balance	Burnout	Time flexibility
Unpaid work	—	Commuting
—	—	Sleeping hours
—	—	Civic participation
—	—	Overtime

Countries with gender gaps within ±0.5 standard deviations from zero, based on the distribution of gender gaps across countries, were classified as showing similar outcomes between women and men.

Bulgaria

Time in Bulgaria vs. EU

This table compares Bulgaria's time indicators in relation to the EU average, identifying where results are better, worse, or similar.

Better	Worse	Similar
Sleeping hours	Work-life balance	Commuting
Civic participation	Time flexibility	Screen time
Burnout	Unpaid work	Overtime
—	—	Biannual Clock-change*

Countries within ±0.5 standard deviations of the EU average were classified as similar. *In Bulgaria there is similar citizen support for ending the biannual clock-change.

Bulgaria's Gender Time Gap

This table examines gender disparities in Bulgaria, identifying where women or men are better off compared to the other gender, and where results are similar.

Men Better	Similar	Women Better
Work-life balance	Time flexibility	Overtime
Unpaid work	Commuting	—
Burnout	Sleeping hours	—
—	Civic participation	—

Countries with gender gaps within ±0.5 standard deviations from zero, based on the distribution of gender gaps across countries, were classified as showing similar outcomes between women and men.

Belgium

Time in Belgium vs. EU

This table compares Belgium's time indicators in relation to the EU average, identifying where results are better, worse, or similar.

Better	Worse	Similar
Time flexibility	Overtime	Work-life balance
Civic participation	—	Commuting
Unpaid work	—	Sleeping hours
—	—	Burnout
—	—	Screen time
—	—	Biannual Clock-change*

Countries within ±0.5 standard deviations of the EU average were classified as similar. *In Belgium there is similar citizen support for ending the biannual clock-change.

Belgium's Gender Time Gap

This table examines gender disparities in Belgium, identifying where women or men are better off compared to the other gender, and where results are similar.

Men Better	Similar	Women Better
Work-life balance	Civic participation	Time flexibility
Unpaid work	Burnout	Commuting
—	Overtime	Sleeping hours

Countries with gender gaps within ±0.5 standard deviations from zero, based on the distribution of gender gaps across countries, were classified as showing similar outcomes between women and men.

Greece

Time in Greece vs. EU

This table compares Greece's time indicators in relation to the EU average, identifying where results are better, worse, or similar.

Better	Worse	Similar
Commuting	Work-life balance	Screen time
Sleeping hours	Time flexibility	—
Civic participation	Unpaid work	—
—	Burnout	—
—	Overtime	—
—	Biannual Clock-change*	—

Countries within ±0.5 standard deviations of the EU average were classified as similar. *In Greece there is less citizen support for ending the time change.

Greece's Gender Time Gap

This table examines gender disparities in Greece, identifying where women or men are better off compared to the other gender, and where results are similar.

Men Better	Similar	Women Better
Work-life balance	Time flexibility	Civic participation
Commuting	Sleeping hours	Overtime
Unpaid work	Burnout	—

Countries with gender gaps within ±0.5 standard deviations from zero, based on the distribution of gender gaps across countries, were classified as showing similar outcomes between women and men.

Germany

Time in Germany vs. EU

This table compares Germany's time indicators in relation to the EU average, identifying where results are better, worse, or similar.

Better	Worse	Similar
Work-life balance	Commuting	Burnout
Time flexibility	Sleeping hours	Overtime
Unpaid work	Screen time	Biannual Clock-change*

Countries within ±0.5 standard deviations of the EU average were classified as similar. *In Germany there is similar citizen support for ending the biannual clock-change.

Germany's Gender Time Gap

This table examines gender disparities in Germany, identifying where women or men are better off compared to the other gender, and where results are similar.

Men Better	Similar	Women Better
Work-life balance	Commuting	Sleeping hours
Time flexibility	Burnout	—
Unpaid work	Overtime	—

Countries with gender gaps within ±0.5 standard deviations from zero, based on the distribution of gender gaps across countries, were classified as showing similar outcomes between women and men.

France

Time in France vs. EU

This table compares France's time indicators in relation to the EU average, identifying where results are better, worse, or similar.

Better	Worse	Similar
Commuting	Civic participation	Work-life balance
Unpaid work	Overtime	Time flexibility
Sleeping hours	—	Burnout
Screen time	—	Biannual Clock-change*

Countries within ±0.5 standard deviations of the EU average were classified as similar. *In France there is similar citizen support for ending the biannual clock-change.

France's Gender Time Gap

This table examines gender disparities in France, identifying where women or men are better off compared to the other gender, and where results are similar.

Men Better	Similar	Women Better
Work-life balance	Time flexibility	Sleeping hours
Unpaid work	Commuting	Burnout
Civic participation	—	—
Overtime	—	—

Countries with gender gaps within ±0.5 standard deviations from zero, based on the distribution of gender gaps across countries, were classified as showing similar outcomes between women and men.

Poland

Time in Poland vs. EU

This table compares Poland's time indicators in relation to the EU average, identifying where results are better, worse, or similar.

Better	Worse	Similar
Biannual Clock-change*	Time flexibility	Work-life balance
—	Sleeping hours	Commuting
—	Civic participation	Unpaid work
—	Screen time	Burnout
—	Overtime	—

Countries within ±0.5 standard deviations of the EU average were classified as similar. *In Poland there is more citizen support for ending the biannual clock-change.

Poland's Gender Time Gap

This table examines gender disparities in Poland, identifying where women or men are better off compared to the other gender, and where results are similar.

Men Better	Similar	Women Better
Work-life balance	Burnout	Commuting
Time flexibility	—	Sleeping hours
Unpaid work	—	Civic participation
—	—	Overtime

Countries with gender gaps within ±0.5 standard deviations from zero, based on the distribution of gender gaps across countries, were classified as showing similar outcomes between women and men.

Portugal

Time in Portugal vs. EU

This table compares Portugal's time indicators in relation to the EU average, identifying where results are better, worse, or similar.

Better	Worse	Similar
Commuting	Work-life balance	Screen time
Burnout	Time flexibility	Biannual Clock-change*
—	Unpaid work	—
—	Civic participation	—
—	Overtime	—

Countries within ±0.5 standard deviations of the EU average were classified as similar. *In Portugal there is similar citizen support for ending the biannual clock-change.

Portugal's Gender Time Gap

This table examines gender disparities in Portugal, identifying where women or men are better off compared to the other gender, and where results are similar.

Men Better	Similar	Women Better
Work-life balance	Burnout	—
Time flexibility	Overtime	—
Commuting	—	—
Civic participation	—	—
Unpaid work	—	—

Countries with gender gaps within ±0.5 standard deviations from zero, based on the distribution of gender gaps across countries, were classified as showing similar outcomes between women and men.

TIME
SOLUTIONS

Europe is facing a major time challenge, but solutions are already underway. Across the continent, cities and citizens are working together to implement innovative time policies.

These policies aim to improve everyday life by rethinking how daily schedules and social
rhythms are organised. In doing so, they can help create societies that are more equal, sustainable,
efficient, democratic and healthy, while also addressing major challenges such as the climate and care crises.

Although these initiatives are led by different actors and sectors, they share a common message: time matters. Here, you can
explore 10 key examples of time policies.