1.1. Contact organisation
Croatian Bureau of Statistics
1.2. Contact organisation unit
Demographic and Social Statistics Directorate
1.3. Contact name
Confidential because of GDPR
1.4. Contact person function
Confidential because of GDPR
1.5. Contact mail address
Branimirova 19, 10 000 Zagreb, Croatia
1.6. Contact email address
Confidential because of GDPR
1.7. Contact phone number
Confidential because of GDPR
1.8. Contact fax number
Confidential because of GDPR
2.1. Metadata last certified
16 July 2026
2.2. Metadata last posted
16 July 2026
2.3. Metadata last update
16 July 2026
3.1. Data description
- Survey name(s) in the national language(s): Anketa o raspolaganju vremenom (ARV)
- Survey name in English: Harmonised European Time Use Survey (TUS)
- Year(s) of (data collection) of the survey: 2022/2023
- Link to the survey website: survey website
- National questionnaire: individual questionnaire, household questionnaire (only available in Croatian)
Time use surveys (TUS) measure how people allocate their time over a 24‑hour day across a comprehensive list of activities, such as paid work, household and family care, personal care, voluntary work, social life, travel and leisure. The survey consists of three instruments: a household questionnaire, an individual questionnaire and two 24‑hour time‑use diaries (one weekday and one weekend day). Each diary records, for every 10‑minute interval, the main activity, secondary activity (if any), location and presence of other persons.
3.2. Classification system
The Activity Coding List (ACL) serves as the primary classification system. The activity coding system is based on three levels. The first level has 10 activity categories, from 0 to 9 (0 – personal care, 1 – employment-related activities, 2 – study, 3 – household and family care, 4 – volunteering, 5 – social life and entertainment, 6 – sports and outdoor activities, 7 –hobbies, 8 – mass media, 9 – travel and unspecified time use). Within each of these first-level categories, there are one to nine second-level activity categories (coded at two digits). Furthermore, within each second-level category, there are one to ten third-level activity categories possible. Codes containing the word "other" include all activities that cannot be classified into any of the listed activities within the given categories.
3.2.1. Versions and breakdowns (level) of the classifications used for the data collection
| Acronym | Version | Level |
|---|---|---|
| NACE | NACE Rev. 2 |
2-digit |
| ISCO | ISCO-08 |
2-digit |
| ISCED | ISCED 2011 |
ISCED levels (0–8) |
| NUTS | NUTS 2021 |
NUTS 2 |
| Other | HETUS 2018 (ACL) |
3.2.2. Deviations from ESS or international standards
3.3. Coverage - sector
Time use, social statistics, working time, travel, leisure.
3.4. Statistical concepts and definitions
The Croatian Time Use Survey follows the standard statistical concepts and definitions outlined in the Harmonised European Time Use Surveys (HETUS) framework.
Private households and persons living in private households (aged 15 years and over) are observation and analysis units. A household is defined as either a single person living alone (one-person household) in a housing unit, or a group of two or more persons who may or may not be related (multi-person household) sharing a housing unit and making common provision for food and other essentials for living (joint household).
The Survey does not cover collective or institutional households (such as retirement homes, hospitals for long-term treatment, prisons, monasteries, etc.).
3.5. Statistical unit
The target population are private households and persons in private households (aged 15 years and over).
3.6. Statistical population
The statistical population for the Croatian Time Use Survey comprises all persons aged 15 years and over who usually reside in private households within the territory of Croatia. Institutionalised persons living in collective households such as nursing homes, hospitals for long-term care, prisons, or similar establishments are excluded.
3.6.1. Main characteristics of the survey population
Statistical population includes all persons with their usual residences in private households. People living in institutional households are not included in the survey.
3.7. Reference area
The reference area for the Croatian Time Use Survey is the entire territory of the Republic of Croatia.
3.8. Coverage - Time
The coverage time of the Croatian Time Use Survey encompasses a full 12-month period, from November 2022 to November 2023.
3.9. Base period
Not applicable.
Time spent, participation time and participation rate.
The reference period for the Croatian TUS covers one full year, from November 2022 to November 2023. During this period, each respondent completed time use diaries for two assigned days (one weekday and one weekend day) spaced throughout the year to capture seasonal and weekly variations in time use patterns.
6.1. Institutional Mandate - legal acts and other agreements
The data collection was based on a Gentlemen's agreement between participating countries and Eurostat.
6.1.1. At European level
The current round of the harmonised European time use survey (HETUS) data collection has been carried out in the spirit of multi-national and multi-agency cooperation across Europe, in the form of an informal ’gentlemen's agreement’.
6.1.2. At National level
At the national level, TUS is carried out on the following basis:
- Official Statistics Act (NN, Nos 25/20 and 155/23)
- Programme of Statistical Activities of the Republic of Croatia 2021 – 2027 (NN, No. 29/22)
- Annual Implementation Plan of Statistical Activities of the Republic of Croatia 2022 (NN, No. 42/22)
- Annual Implementation Plan of Statistical Activities of the Republic of Croatia 2023 (NN, No. 35/23).
6.2. Institutional Mandate - data sharing
Not applicable.
7.1. Confidentiality - policy
Statistical confidentiality is ensured in accordance with Regulation (EC) No 223/2009 on European statistics and the Official Statistics Act of the Republic of Croatia.
Confidential data are used exclusively for statistical purposes and are protected from any unauthorised access or disclosure.
The Croatian Bureau of Statistics applies strict rules to prevent the identification of individual statistical units (persons or households).
7.2. Confidentiality - data treatment
All data collected in the Croatian Time Use Survey are subject to the provisions of the Official Statistics Act and internal confidentiality rules of the Croatian Bureau of Statistics. Microdata are anonymised before any use for analysis or transmission.
8.1. Release calendar
The release calendar is defined and published in advance by the Croatian Bureau of Statistics.
The results of the Time Use Survey were released on 31 December 2024.
8.2. Release calendar access
Please access here the Calendar of Statistical Data Issues and Publishing Programme.
8.3. Release policy - user access
The Croatian Bureau of Statistics disseminates data in an objective, professional and transparent manner, respecting professional independence.
All users are granted equal access to data at the same time.
The frequency of the Croatian Time Use Survey is every 10 years.
10.1. Dissemination format - News release
The results of the Time Use Survey are disseminated through news releases published on the website of the Croatian Bureau of Statistics.
The news release is available at: News release.
10.2. Dissemination format - Publications
Not available.
10.3. Dissemination format - online database
See HETUS database.
10.3.1. Data tables - consultations
Not requested.
10.4. Dissemination format - microdata access
Not applicable at national level.
Microdata are available through the Eurostat microdata access service. Harmonised European Time Use Survey (HETUS) microdata can be accessed at: Time use survey - 2020 (tus_20)
10.5. Dissemination format - other
Not available.
10.5.1. Metadata - consultations
Not requested.
10.6. Documentation on methodology
The methodology is based on the Harmonised European Time Use Surveys (HETUS) 2018 guidelines (re-edition).
Detailed information on methodology is provided in the Time Use Survey quality report.
10.6.1. Metadata completeness - rate
Not requested.
10.7. Quality management - documentation
Quality management documentation is available and described in the Time Use Survey quality report.
11.1. Quality assurance
Quality assurance is ensured throughout all stages of the statistical process, in accordance with the European Statistics Code of Practice.
11.2. Quality management - assessment
The overall quality of the data is considered to be satisfactory. The survey is conducted in accordance with harmonised European methodology and standards.
12.1. Relevance - User Needs
Data from the Time Use Survey are used for social policy development, scientific research and international comparisons.
12.2. Relevance - User Satisfaction
User satisfaction was not measured.
12.3. Completeness
The data are considered to be complete in accordance with the requirements of the Harmonised European Time Use Survey methodology and cover all relevant variables.
12.3.1. Data completeness - rate
Not requested.
13.1. Accuracy - overall
The overall accuracy of the data is considered to be satisfactory and in line with the Harmonised European Time Use Survey methodology.
The survey is based on a representative stratified sample of private households. Standardised procedures are applied during data collection and processing, and statistical methods are used to assess data quality, including sampling errors and other indicators of precision.
Both sampling and non-sampling errors are monitored and controlled in order to ensure the reliability of the results.
13.2. Sampling error
The sampling error shows the precision of estimates of sample-based population parameters. The target population in TUS are private (non-institutional) households and persons aged 15 years and over on the territory of the Republic of Croatia according to the 2021 Census. Strata are defined by division into statistical regions according to the HR_NUTS 2021 classification – HR NUTS 2 (Pannonian Croatia, Adriatic Croatia, the City of Zagreb and Northern Croatia) and type of settlement (city or municipality). A special stratum within Adriatic Croatia comprises cities of Rijeka and Split together. The sample allocation with respect to statistical regions is proportional to the square root of the number of private households. In the first stage, spatial units – enumeration areas – were selected with a probability proportional to the number of private households in the enumeration area from the 2021 Census. A total of 936 enumeration areas were selected. In the second stage, five dwellings (households) were selected in each enumeration area. A total of 4 680 dwellings (households) were selected for the sample. The sample was distributed over 52 intervals (weeks) so that an equal number of households (and enumeration areas) were selected in each interval in each region (NUTS 2). Finally, each household was randomly assigned a weekday and a Saturday or Sunday on which household members aged 15 or over kept a diary of their activities. The response rate was 21.6%.
13.2.1. Sampling error - indicators
Not available.
13.2.2. Sampling error - proportion and confidence interval
| Parameter of interest (p̂) | Number of respondents - n | Standard error for p̂ | 95% confidence interval for p̂: Lower | 95% confidence interval for p̂: Upper |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Percentage of population aged 15 and over spending daily on average more than 10 % of time working in paid work (weighted) |
Number of individuals completed at least 1 diary day (unweighted) |
|||
| Not available | ||||
13.2.3. Sampling error - method used for the variance (SE) estimation
Not available.
13.3. Non-sampling error
Information on this concept is provided in the sub-concepts 13.3.1-13.3.5.
13.3.1. Coverage error
Coverage errors occur due to deviation from the sampling framework and they are measured by the overcoverage rate, which represents a share of sample units that are not a part of the target population.
The TUS sampling framework was based on the 2021 Census data.
13.3.1.1. Over-coverage - rate
Overcoverage rate is 7.1%.
The overcoverage rate is a share of sample units (occupied dwellings) that are not a part of the target population. It means that these units do not exist any more, they are not occupied or they are not intended for permanent residence (business spaces, summer houses, etc.).
13.3.1.2. Common units - proportion
Not applicable.
13.3.2. Measurement error
Measurement errors are considered all errors that can emerge during the data collection or when entering data into survey forms, or in the programme application of the questionnaire. There is a tendency to minimise such errors by correctly defining the survey questions, by regular training of interviewers, by applying adequate data collection methods, using controls built in online questionnaire and by checking the collected data during and after fieldwork. Check of collected data consists of logical checks, centralised coding of activities entered into the time use diary, check of minimum and maximum values, logical connections between the answers, etc.
13.3.2.1. Questionnaire design and testing
The questionnaire is designed in accordance with the Harmonised European Time Use Survey (HETUS) methodology and recommendations.
Particular attention is paid to question design and structure in order to minimise measurement errors. The questionnaire and time use diary include built-in logical and consistency checks, and the collected data are subject to validation during and after the fieldwork.
13.3.2.2. Interviewer training
Interviewers are trained prior to data collection to ensure proper implementation of the survey.
13.3.2.3. Proxy interview rates
Not available.
13.3.3. Non response error
Nonresponse errors refer to information on how many statistical units did not provide responses to the questionnaire, i.e., on the number of households that did not accept participation in the Survey.
13.3.3.1. Unit non-response - rate
The nonresponse rate is 78.4%.
13.3.3.1.1. Reasons for non-response
The main reasons for non-response were refusals to participate and non-contact with selected households. Additional non-response was due to difficulties in completing the survey questionnaires and time use diaries.
13.3.3.1.2. Number of households in the gross sample according to the final results of the survey
A total of 4 680 dwellings (households) were selected for the sample.
13.3.3.1.3. Characteristics of non-respondents
Not applicable.
13.3.3.1.4. Efforts to reduce non-response
Efforts to reduce non-response included sending announcement letters to selected households before data collection, providing financial incentives to participating households and applying measures aimed at reducing respondent burden during the survey. In larger households, only a limited number of household members were required to complete the time use diaries.
To ensure the successful completion of the survey while reducing respondent burden, the following conditions were applied:
- In households with one person aged 15 years or over, both diaries had to be completed by that person.
- In households with two or three persons aged 15 years or over, both diaries had to be completed by two persons.
- In households with four or more persons aged 15 years or over, both diaries had to be completed by three persons.
13.3.3.1.5. Adjustment of weights in order to reduce non-response
To reduce the impact of non-response, weighting adjustments were applied during the weighting process. In the first phase, design weights reflecting the sample selection probabilities were calculated. In the second phase, weights were adjusted for household non-response. Finally, the weights were calibrated to the estimated population distribution by age group, sex and NUTS 2 statistical region, based on the 2021 Census. The final diary weights were adjusted to reflect the distribution of weekdays and weekend days.
13.3.3.1.6. Other comments regarding non-response errors
Not applicable.
13.3.3.1.7. Replacement of non-responding households (substitution)
| Substitution rate | Rate |
|---|---|
| i.e. Number of substitute households successfully interviewed/Achieved sample size | Not applicable. |
13.3.3.1.8. Description of the substitution
Not applicable.
13.3.3.1.9. Qualitative assessment of the bias associated with unit non-response
Not available.
13.3.3.2. Item non-response - rate
The indicator is not computed.
13.3.3.2.1. Variables most subject to item non-response
Not available.
13.3.4. Processing error
During data processing, logical and consistency checks are carried out for household and individual questionnaire data, as well as for the various elements of the time use diary at the level of individual ten-minute episodes. Processing errors are minimised through systematic validation and verification procedures.
13.3.5. Model assumption error
Not applicable.
14.1. Timeliness
The Time Use Survey was conducted in the Republic of Croatia from 21 November 2022 to 26 November 2023. The final results were released on 31 December 2024, corresponding to a timeliness of 13 months (T+13) after the end of the reference period.
14.1.1. Time lag - first result
Not applicable.
14.1.2. Time lag - final result
Not applicable.
14.2. Punctuality
The Survey results were released 13 months after the end of the reference period to which the data relate. TUS results for 2022/2023 were released in the First Release of 31 December 2024, in line with the Calendar of Statistical Data Issues.
14.2.1. Punctuality - delivery and publication
Not requested.
15.1. Comparability - geographical
The Time Use Survey was conducted in accordance with the Harmonised European Time Use Survey (HETUS) methodology and recommendations.
Geographical comparability is ensured within Croatia through the use of the HR NUTS 2 statistical regional classification.
15.1.1. Asymmetry for mirror flow statistics - coefficient
Not applicable.
15.2. Comparability - over time
The Time Use Survey was carried out for the first time in Croatia in 2022-2023.
15.2.1. Length of comparable time series
Not requested.
15.3. Coherence - cross domain
No other comparable sources of Time Use Survey data are available.
15.3.1. Coherence - sub annual and annual statistics
Not applicable.
15.3.2. Coherence - National Accounts
Not requested.
15.4. Coherence - internal
The data are internally coherent.
Information on this concept is provided in the sub-concepts 16.1-16.4.
16.1. Costs of the survey
Costs of TUS fieldwork implementation amounted to 50 218.15 euro (of which 843.37 euro relate to 2022, while the remaining amount was paid in 2023). A part of the amount refer to the costs for interviewers (a part of interviewers are employees of the Croatian Bureau of Statistics in branch offices, and the second part are external interviewers engaged on the basis of contractual agreement) and for compensations to households on the basis of filled-in time use diaries (households that participated in the Survey were paid a cash compensation of 19.91 euro, paid through a bank transfer to the bank account of a person who was a member of a surveyed household i.e. head of the household, spouse or other person of age).
16.2. Average time used for answering the survey questionnaires (in minutes)
Not available.
16.3. Average time used to fill in the diary (in minutes)
Not available.
16.4. Measures taken to reduce the cost and burden of the survey
To reduce respondent burden, only a limited number of household members were required to complete the time use diaries in larger households (please refer to 13.3.3.1.4. Efforts to reduce non-response).
17.1. Data revision - policy
Time Use Survey data are released as final data. Results are published in the First Release of the Croatian Bureau of Statistics, and release dates are announced in the Calendar of Statistical Data Issues. Information on revisions is available on the website of the Croatian Bureau of Statistics in the General Revision Policy.
17.2. Data revision - practice
Provisional figures are not published for the Time Use Survey and therefore regular revisions are not planned. Any unplanned revisions are published as soon as possible and accompanied by explanations on the website of the Croatian Bureau of Statistics.
17.2.1. Data revision - average size
Not applicable.
18.1. Source data
Information on sampling design, sampling frame and size is available under the full metadata concepts 18.1.1-18.1.3.
18.1.1. Sampling frame
| Type | Name of data source used for building the sampling frame |
|---|---|
| Population census | Census of Population, Households and Dwellings. |
| Population register | Not applicable. |
| Household register | Not applicable. |
| Dwelling register | Not applicable. |
| List of phone numbers | Not applicable. |
| Postcode address file | Not applicable. |
| Another survey sample | Not applicable. |
| Other | Not applicable. |
18.1.2. Sampling design of the survey
See below.
18.1.2.1. Sampling design(s)
| Type | Description of Sampling Design |
|---|---|
| Simple random sampling | Not applicable. |
| Systematic sampling | Not applicable. |
| Stratified sampling | The sample was stratified by NUTS2 statistical region (Pannonian Croatia, Adriatic Croatia, the City of Zagreb, Northern Croatia) and by type of settlement (city or municipality) within Adriatic Croatia, where a special stratum was formed for the cities of Rijeka and Split. |
| Cluster sampling | A two-stage cluster sample was applied. In the first stage, enumeration areas (spatial units) were selected with a probability proportional to the number of private households (2021 Census). In the second stage, five dwellings (households) were selected within each selected enumeration area. |
| Other |
Not applicable. |
18.1.2.2. Ultimate sampling unit(s)
Households18.1.2.3. Oversampling of specific populations
Not applicable.
18.1.2.4. Assumptions used for determining the sample size
The sample size was determined to ensure reliable estimates at the national level and by NUTS 2 statistical regions. The allocation of the sample across regions was proportional to the square root of the number of private households, ensuring adequate regional representation throughout the reference period.
18.1.3. Sample size
| Sample size |
Number |
| Gross sample size i.e. initial sample size= responding units + non-responding units (these two groups make up the group of eligible units) + units with unknown eligibility (e.g. because they are not able to be reached/ contacted), + ineligible units. |
4680 |
|---|---|
| Number of eligible units i.e. net sample size= Gross sample size - units with unknown eligibility – ineligible units |
Unknown |
| Achieved sample size = Total number of households which were successfully surveyed (interviews+diary) |
940 |
18.2. Frequency of data collection
The Time Use Survey is conducted every 10 years.
18.3. Data collection
See below.
18.3.1. Data collection method used
Mixed mode18.3.2. Mode(s) and instruments for data collection: household and individual questionnaire
| Interview |
Specify Yes or No if used |
% of completed household interviews |
|---|---|---|
| Paper assisted personal interview (PAPI) |
No |
|
| Computer-assisted personal interview (CAPI) |
Yes |
100% |
| Computer assisted telephone interview (CATI) |
No |
|
| Computer assisted web-interview (CAWI) |
No |
|
| Smart mode (e.g. smartphone app) |
No |
|
| Other (e.g. administrative data). |
No |
|
18.3.3. Mode(s) and instruments for data collection: time use diary
| Diary |
Specify Yes or No if used |
% of completed diaries |
|---|---|---|
| Paper diary |
Yes |
100% |
| Computer based non online diary |
No |
|
| Online web diary |
No |
|
| Mobile based diaries (Smartphone apps, etc.) |
No |
|
18.3.4. Variables completed from an external source
Not applicable.
18.4. Data validation
Data are validated during and after data collection through logical and consistency checks. Additional validation procedures include verification of variable relationships, control of values and centralised coding of activities recorded in the time use diaries.
In addition, the transmitted data are validated by Eurostat in accordance with the Harmonised European Time Use Survey (HETUS) methodology and requirements.
18.5. Data compilation
Data were processed, validated, coded and weighted in accordance with the Harmonised European Time Use Survey (HETUS) methodology.
18.5.1. Imputation - rate
Not applicable.
18.5.2. Method applied to correct for 'item non-response'
| Methods | Specify Yes or No if used |
|---|---|
| Simple imputation (deterministic) method | No |
| Simple imputation (stochastic) method | No |
| Multiple imputation approach | No |
| Other | No |
18.5.3. Calculation of weighting factors and weight adjustments
Weighting factors were calculated to produce estimates representative of the population of private households and persons living in private households in the Republic of Croatia. The weighting procedure took into account the sample design, selection probabilities and household non-response.
In the first phase, design weights were calculated based on the probabilities of selection at both sampling stages. In the second phase, the weights were adjusted for household non-response. Finally, calibration was applied using population totals by age group, sex and NUTS 2 statistical region based on the 2021 Census of Population, Households and Dwellings.
Given that each person filled out a diary for one weekday and one weekend day, the weight of the weekday diary is 5/7 of the final weight, and the weight of the weekend diary is 2/7 of the final weight.
18.6. Adjustment
Not applicable.
18.6.1. Seasonal adjustment
Not applicable.
No comments.
- Survey name(s) in the national language(s): Anketa o raspolaganju vremenom (ARV)
- Survey name in English: Harmonised European Time Use Survey (TUS)
- Year(s) of (data collection) of the survey: 2022/2023
- Link to the survey website: survey website
- National questionnaire: individual questionnaire, household questionnaire (only available in Croatian)
Time use surveys (TUS) measure how people allocate their time over a 24‑hour day across a comprehensive list of activities, such as paid work, household and family care, personal care, voluntary work, social life, travel and leisure. The survey consists of three instruments: a household questionnaire, an individual questionnaire and two 24‑hour time‑use diaries (one weekday and one weekend day). Each diary records, for every 10‑minute interval, the main activity, secondary activity (if any), location and presence of other persons.
16 July 2026
The Croatian Time Use Survey follows the standard statistical concepts and definitions outlined in the Harmonised European Time Use Surveys (HETUS) framework.
Private households and persons living in private households (aged 15 years and over) are observation and analysis units. A household is defined as either a single person living alone (one-person household) in a housing unit, or a group of two or more persons who may or may not be related (multi-person household) sharing a housing unit and making common provision for food and other essentials for living (joint household).
The Survey does not cover collective or institutional households (such as retirement homes, hospitals for long-term treatment, prisons, monasteries, etc.).
The target population are private households and persons in private households (aged 15 years and over).
The statistical population for the Croatian Time Use Survey comprises all persons aged 15 years and over who usually reside in private households within the territory of Croatia. Institutionalised persons living in collective households such as nursing homes, hospitals for long-term care, prisons, or similar establishments are excluded.
The reference area for the Croatian Time Use Survey is the entire territory of the Republic of Croatia.
The reference period for the Croatian TUS covers one full year, from November 2022 to November 2023. During this period, each respondent completed time use diaries for two assigned days (one weekday and one weekend day) spaced throughout the year to capture seasonal and weekly variations in time use patterns.
The overall accuracy of the data is considered to be satisfactory and in line with the Harmonised European Time Use Survey methodology.
The survey is based on a representative stratified sample of private households. Standardised procedures are applied during data collection and processing, and statistical methods are used to assess data quality, including sampling errors and other indicators of precision.
Both sampling and non-sampling errors are monitored and controlled in order to ensure the reliability of the results.
Time spent, participation time and participation rate.
Data were processed, validated, coded and weighted in accordance with the Harmonised European Time Use Survey (HETUS) methodology.
Information on sampling design, sampling frame and size is available under the full metadata concepts 18.1.1-18.1.3.
The frequency of the Croatian Time Use Survey is every 10 years.
The Time Use Survey was conducted in the Republic of Croatia from 21 November 2022 to 26 November 2023. The final results were released on 31 December 2024, corresponding to a timeliness of 13 months (T+13) after the end of the reference period.
The Time Use Survey was conducted in accordance with the Harmonised European Time Use Survey (HETUS) methodology and recommendations.
Geographical comparability is ensured within Croatia through the use of the HR NUTS 2 statistical regional classification.
The Time Use Survey was carried out for the first time in Croatia in 2022-2023.
