Taking ‘Time’ Into Consideration: Time Poverty and Inequality in Jamaica

Abstract

This chapter examines time poverty in Jamaica. Time poverty is defined as insufficient discretionary time and is positioned in this chapter as a critical yet often overlooked dimension of inequality that affects Caribbean households. This chapter, therefore, calls for time poverty to be incorporated into existing assessments to obtain a more complete picture of inequality in the region. It draws on statistical data from the Time Use Module of the 2018 Jamaica Survey of Living Conditions and a linear model to assess the determinants of time poverty in Jamaica. The results suggest that gender, age, union status, socio-economic status, area of residence, educational attainment, occupation and household structure are all significant factors. Additionally, unpaid domestic and caregiving responsibilities contribute to marked gender inequalities in time use. Poor working-class individuals with young children also encounter compounded vulnerabilities that make them especially susceptible to severe discretionary time deficits. This chapter provides a valuable time-use perspective that complements traditional economic measures of poverty and inequality and emphasises the need for greater attention to be given to policy responses that address well-being in the Caribbean.