Time, Labour, and India: What the PM’s Council Working Paper Reveals

India’s Long Work Hours: How Much Is Too Much?

Time, Labour, and India: What the PM’s Council Working Paper Reveals: A new working paper released by the Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister has sparked a fresh debate around how long Indians really work. Titled “Time Spent on Employment-Related Activities in India”, the report digs deep into the 2019 Time Use Survey conducted by the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation. And the numbers? They’re eye-opening.

It turns out that Gujarat, Punjab, Maharashtra, West Bengal, and Kerala are the top five states where working over 70 hours a week is not uncommon. For example, in Gujarat, 7.2% of the population clocks in more than 70 hours weekly. Nationally, the number stands at 4.55%. By contrast, in Bihar, only 1.1% of workers hit that threshold.

More Work, More Income?

Interestingly, the paper finds a strong link between working hours and economic output. In larger states, every 1% rise in working hours corresponds to a 3.7% increase in per capita Net State Domestic Product (NSDP). For smaller states and Union Territories, the jump is 1.8%.

But is it really that simple? Just because people are working more doesn’t always mean they’re producing more. Think of a shopkeeper who stays open till midnight—they may earn more than others in the short term, but what about long-term stress?

Urban vs Rural: A Daily Gap

When it comes to city life, workers generally spend more hours on the job. In urban Kerala, for instance, government employees work only 6 hours a day, ranking 34th nationally. On the flip side, Daman and Diu tops the chart with urban workers averaging close to 9 hours daily.

In rural India, the situation is slightly better. Even in rural Kerala, employees work just under 6 hours a day, slightly below the national average. This gap highlights how urban job demands and competition push people to stretch their workdays.

Sector-Wise Disparities: Services Take the Lead

The survey also finds that service sector employees generally work longer than those in the goods-producing sector. And if you’re a regular salaried employee, chances are you’re putting in more hours than someone who is self-employed. These findings point to structural differences in employment types. A school teacher’s routine is more fixed, while a food delivery executive may stretch their hours based on demand.

The Worrying Side of Overwork

While long hours might help boost the economy, experts warn they can also damage health, reduce productivity, and even lead to burnout. The Economic Survey 2024-25 cautioned against working more than 60 hours per week, linking it to high attrition and lower company profits.

Recently, some business leaders suggested a 70-hour workweek, triggering backlash. Critics say that approach ignores the emotional and physical toll on workers. Globally, countries like France and Norway are moving toward shorter workweeks to promote work-life balance.

The Bigger Question: Where Do We Go From Here?

Should India follow global trends and focus on productive hours instead of total hours worked? Or should we double down on hustle culture for growth?

The paper doesn’t offer a final answer, but it certainly shines a light on how working time influences both our economy and well-being. As India prepares for major economic shifts, how we structure our work lives might become as important as how hard we work.

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