American Time Use Survey (ATUS)

Summary

The American Time Use Survey (ATUS) provides nationally representative estimates of how, where, and with whom Americans spend their time, and is the only federal survey providing data on the full range of nonmarket activities. These activities include work, childcare, housework, watching television, volunteering, and socializing.

https://www.bls.gov/tus/
Agency	DOL, BLS
Related Agency	DOC, CENSUS
Data Checkup

Historical Data Availability

No Known Issue

Future Data Availability

No Known Issue

Data Quality

No Known Issue

Because the American Time Use Survey (ATUS) operations were suspended from October 1 through November 12, no call attempts were made and no interviews were completed during the shutdown. Because ATUS interviews are conducted every day and collect time diaries about "yesterday"--that is, the day prior to the interview day--there are no ATUS data for September 30 through November 11. Data collection resumed on November 13. The shutdown primarily affected ATUS data for the fourth quarter of 2025, as nearly all of the missing time diaries were in this period. ATUS estimates included in this news release have been weighted such that the time diaries for November 12 through December 30 represent all days in the quarter, including those missing because of the shutdown.

Statutory Context

High Risk

Statutory authorization is vague. It is authorized by Congress under Title 13 of the United States Code, which grants the Secretary of Commerce the authority to conduct economic and construction surveys.

Staffing and Funding

High Risk

A new BLS Commissioner has been confirmed but many leadership roles remain vacant, and reductions in staffing have affected the ability to maintain core data collections. Prior to the shutdown, hiring had resumed to augment CPI data collection. From FY2024 to FY2026, the Census Bureau has lost more than 2,500 staff (approximately 20%).

Policy

No Known Issue

Last updated: 2026-10-05

Primary URL	https://www.bls.gov/tus/

Details

Related ICRs
OMB Control Number	1220-0175
Authorizing Statutes	29 USC 1, 13 USC 9

Reference Number	Title	Agency	Status	Request Type
202512-1220-003	American Time Use Survey	DOL/BLS	Active	No material or nonsubstantive change to a currently approved collection
202504-1220-002	American Time Use Survey	DOL/BLS	Active	Extension without change of a currently approved collection
202302-1220-001	American Time Use Survey	DOL/BLS	Historical Active	No material or nonsubstantive change to a currently approved collection