How are working hours measured and what can we learn from the data? | Our World in Data Home Work & Employment Working Hours Summary The primary way to measure working hours is with surveys, which are often aggregated with other types of data to provide the most comprehensive picture. But the data on working hours can have limitations, mainly due to differences in definitions, underlying sources, and their methods. By understanding these limitations, the study of working hours can still tell us a lot about our lives and the world. Work is a central part of our lives. It is something we do almost every day, for much of the day, for decades on end. Because it is so central, looking closely at how much time we spend working can tell us a lot about our lives and the societies we live in. The data on working hours shows, for example, that rather than working more than ever — as is so commonly believed — people in many countries today work much less than in the past 150 years . Working less means being able to spend time becoming more educated , or simply enjoying more leisure time . This is substantial progress, but there is still huge inequality across countries , and progress to make. To understand these changes in societies and people’s lives over time, and the substantial differences we see in the world today, it is crucial to measure and study how much time people spend working. How are working hours actually measured? Where does the data come from, and how can researchers reconstruct long-run trends? Here we provide an overview of the main data sources, compare the data, and explain the relevant differences and measurement limitations. How are working hours measured? Surveys Surveys are the primary way to collect data on working hours. They are typically conducted by national statistical agencies and come in three main types: labor force surveys, establishment surveys, and time use surveys. These surveys all provide an important perspective on working hours, but th