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Tuesday, August 4th 2026

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This is how Americans spend their time | To identify how we spend our days in this country, 24/7 Tempo reviewed data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics regarding the average hours those over the age of 15 devoted to various activities between May and December 2020, as well as the percent of the population engaging in each activity over the same period. Only major activities were counted; other activities done simultaneously were not included, nor was any travel time associated with the main activity. (Page Light Studios/iStock Editorial via Getty Images)
Page Light Studios / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
This is how Americans spend their time | To identify how we spend our days in this country, 24/7 Tempo reviewed data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics regarding the average hours those over the age of 15 devoted to various activities between May and December 2020, as well as the percent of the population engaging in each activity over the same period. Only major activities were counted; other activities done simultaneously were not included, nor was any travel time associated with the main activity. (Page Light Studios/iStock Editorial via Getty Images)

This is how Americans spend their time

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This is how Americans spend their time | To identify how we spend our days in this country, 24/7 Tempo reviewed data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics regarding the average hours those over the age of 15 devoted to various activities between May and December 2020, as well as the percent of the population engaging in each activity over the same period. Only major activities were counted; other activities done simultaneously were not included, nor was any travel time associated with the main activity. (Page Light Studios/iStock Editorial via Getty Images)
This is how Americans spend their time | To identify how we spend our days in this country, 24/7 Tempo reviewed data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics regarding the average hours those over the age of 15 devoted to various activities between May and December 2020, as well as the percent of the population engaging in each activity over the same period. Only major activities were counted; other activities done simultaneously were not included, nor was any travel time associated with the main activity. (Page Light Studios/iStock Editorial via Getty Images)
Volunteering (organizational and civic activities) | Avg. hours spent per day, all people: 5 minutes - Change from 2019: 3 fewer minutes - Avg. hours spent per day, people who volunteer: 2 hours 6 minutes - #7 highest out of 22 activities - Avg. share of people who engage in activity per day: 4% - #21 highest out of 22 activities (dmphoto/E+ via Getty Images)
Volunteering (organizational and civic activities) | Avg. hours spent per day, all people: 5 minutes – Change from 2019: 3 fewer minutes – Avg. hours spent per day, people who volunteer: 2 hours 6 minutes – #7 highest out of 22 activities – Avg. share of people who engage in activity per day: 4% – #21 highest out of 22 activities (dmphoto/E+ via Getty Images)
Professional and personal care services | Avg. hours spent per day, all people: 5 minutes - Change from 2019: No change - Avg. hours spent per day, people who use professional and personal care services: 1 hour 22 minutes - #14 highest out of 22 activities - Avg. share of people who engage in activity per day: 6.3% - #19 highest out of 22 activities (Foremniakowski/Getty Images)
Professional and personal care services | Avg. hours spent per day, all people: 5 minutes – Change from 2019: No change – Avg. hours spent per day, people who use professional and personal care services: 1 hour 22 minutes – #14 highest out of 22 activities – Avg. share of people who engage in activity per day: 6.3% – #19 highest out of 22 activities (Foremniakowski/Getty Images)
Religious and spiritual activities | Avg. hours spent per day, all people: 5 minutes - Change from 2019: 3 fewer minutes - Avg. hours spent per day, people who engage in religious and spiritual activities: 1 hour 22 minutes - #13 highest out of 22 activities - Avg. share of people who engage in activity per day: 6.9% - #18 highest out of 22 activities (ColbieCreative/iStock via Getty Images)
Religious and spiritual activities | Avg. hours spent per day, all people: 5 minutes – Change from 2019: 3 fewer minutes – Avg. hours spent per day, people who engage in religious and spiritual activities: 1 hour 22 minutes – #13 highest out of 22 activities – Avg. share of people who engage in activity per day: 6.9% – #18 highest out of 22 activities (ColbieCreative/iStock via Getty Images)
Household management | Avg. hours spent per day, all people: 8 minutes - Change from 2019: No change - Avg. hours spent per day, people who engage in household management: 52 minutes - #20 highest out of 22 activities - Avg. share of people who engage in activity per day: 15.2% - #15 highest out of 22 activities (urbazon/E+ via Getty Images)
Household management | Avg. hours spent per day, all people: 8 minutes – Change from 2019: No change – Avg. hours spent per day, people who engage in household management: 52 minutes – #20 highest out of 22 activities – Avg. share of people who engage in activity per day: 15.2% – #15 highest out of 22 activities (urbazon/E+ via Getty Images)
Caring for and helping non-household members | Avg. hours spent per day, all people: 8 minutes - Change from 2019: No change - Avg. hours spent per day, people who caring for and helping non-household members: 1 hour 53 minutes - #10 highest out of 22 activities - Avg. share of people who engage in activity per day: 7.5% - #17 highest out of 22 activities (FamVeld/iStock via Getty Images)
Caring for and helping non-household members | Avg. hours spent per day, all people: 8 minutes – Change from 2019: No change – Avg. hours spent per day, people who caring for and helping non-household members: 1 hour 53 minutes – #10 highest out of 22 activities – Avg. share of people who engage in activity per day: 7.5% – #17 highest out of 22 activities (FamVeld/iStock via Getty Images)
Attending class | Avg. hours spent per day, all people: 11 minutes - Change from 2019: No change - Avg. hours spent per day, people who attend class: 4 hours 39 minutes - #3 highest out of 22 activities - Avg. share of people who engage in activity per day: 3.8% - #22 highest out of 22 activities (recep-bg/iStock via Getty Images)
Attending class | Avg. hours spent per day, all people: 11 minutes – Change from 2019: No change – Avg. hours spent per day, people who attend class: 4 hours 39 minutes – #3 highest out of 22 activities – Avg. share of people who engage in activity per day: 3.8% – #22 highest out of 22 activities (recep-bg/iStock via Getty Images)
Homework and research | Avg. hours spent per day, all people: 11 minutes - Change from 2019: No change - Avg. hours spent per day, people who do homework and research: 3 hours 24 minutes - #5 highest out of 22 activities - Avg. share of people who engage in activity per day: 5.6% - #20 highest out of 22 activities (PeopleImages/E+ via Getty Images)
Homework and research | Avg. hours spent per day, all people: 11 minutes – Change from 2019: No change – Avg. hours spent per day, people who do homework and research: 3 hours 24 minutes – #5 highest out of 22 activities – Avg. share of people who engage in activity per day: 5.6% – #20 highest out of 22 activities (PeopleImages/E+ via Getty Images)
Other activities, not elsewhere classified | Avg. hours spent per day, all people: 11 minutes - Change from 2019: 2 fewer minutes - Avg. hours spent per day, people who engage in other activities, not elsewhere classified: 1 hour 7 minutes - #16 highest out of 22 activities - Avg. share of people who engage in activity per day: 17% - #14 highest out of 22 (activitiesRidofranz/Getty Images)
Other activities, not elsewhere classified | Avg. hours spent per day, all people: 11 minutes – Change from 2019: 2 fewer minutes – Avg. hours spent per day, people who engage in other activities, not elsewhere classified: 1 hour 7 minutes – #16 highest out of 22 activities – Avg. share of people who engage in activity per day: 17% – #14 highest out of 22 (activitiesRidofranz/Getty Images)
Telephone calls, mail, and e-mail | Avg. hours spent per day, all people: 13 minutes - Change from 2019: 4 more minutes - Avg. hours spent per day, people who use telephone calls, mail, and e-mail: 1 hour 2 minutes - #19 highest out of 22 activities - Avg. share of people who engage in activity per day: 21.1% - #12 highest out of 22 activities (anyaberkut/Getty Images)
Telephone calls, mail, and e-mail | Avg. hours spent per day, all people: 13 minutes – Change from 2019: 4 more minutes – Avg. hours spent per day, people who use telephone calls, mail, and e-mail: 1 hour 2 minutes – #19 highest out of 22 activities – Avg. share of people who engage in activity per day: 21.1% – #12 highest out of 22 activities (anyaberkut/Getty Images)
Lawn and garden care | Avg. hours spent per day, all people: 16 minutes - Change from 2019: 4 more minutes - Avg. hours spent per day, people who engage in lawn and garden care: 2 hours 2 minutes - #8 highest out of 22 activities - Avg. share of people who engage in activity per day: 13% - #16 highest out of 22 activities (MariuszBlach/iStock via Getty Images)
Lawn and garden care | Avg. hours spent per day, all people: 16 minutes – Change from 2019: 4 more minutes – Avg. hours spent per day, people who engage in lawn and garden care: 2 hours 2 minutes – #8 highest out of 22 activities – Avg. share of people who engage in activity per day: 13% – #16 highest out of 22 activities (MariuszBlach/iStock via Getty Images)
Consumer goods purchases | Avg. hours spent per day, all people: 16 minutes - Change from 2019: 6 fewer minutes - Avg. hours spent per day, people who make consumer goods purchases: 50 minutes - #21 highest out of 22 activities - Avg. share of people who engage in activity per day: 33.5% - #9 highest out of 22 activities (kurmyshov/iStock via Getty Images)
Consumer goods purchases | Avg. hours spent per day, all people: 16 minutes – Change from 2019: 6 fewer minutes – Avg. hours spent per day, people who make consumer goods purchases: 50 minutes – #21 highest out of 22 activities – Avg. share of people who engage in activity per day: 33.5% – #9 highest out of 22 activities (kurmyshov/iStock via Getty Images)
Participating in sports, exercise, and recreation | Avg. hours spent per day, all people: 22 minutes - Change from 2019: 3 more minutes - Avg. hours spent per day, people who participate in sports, exercise, and recreation: 1 hour 34 minutes - #12 highest out of 22 activities - Avg. share of people who engage in activity per day: 23.4% - #11 highest out of 22 activities (Mladen Zivkovic/iStock via Getty Images)
Participating in sports, exercise, and recreation | Avg. hours spent per day, all people: 22 minutes – Change from 2019: 3 more minutes – Avg. hours spent per day, people who participate in sports, exercise, and recreation: 1 hour 34 minutes – #12 highest out of 22 activities – Avg. share of people who engage in activity per day: 23.4% – #11 highest out of 22 activities (Mladen Zivkovic/iStock via Getty Images)
Caring for and helping household members | Avg. hours spent per day, all people: 26 minutes - Change from 2019: 1 more minute - Avg. hours spent per day, people caring for and helping household members: 2 hours 10 minutes - #6 highest out of 22 activities - Avg. share of people who engage in activity per day: 19.6% - #13 highest out of 22 activities (shapecharge/E+ via Getty Images)
Caring for and helping household members | Avg. hours spent per day, all people: 26 minutes – Change from 2019: 1 more minute – Avg. hours spent per day, people caring for and helping household members: 2 hours 10 minutes – #6 highest out of 22 activities – Avg. share of people who engage in activity per day: 19.6% – #13 highest out of 22 activities (shapecharge/E+ via Getty Images)
Socializing and communicating | Avg. hours spent per day, all people: 32 minutes - Change from 2019: 8 fewer minutes - Avg. hours spent per day, people who engage in socializing and communicating: 1 hour 59 minutes - #9 highest out of 22 activities - Avg. share of people who engage in activity per day: 27.1% - #10 highest out of 22 activities (lechatnoir/E+ via Getty Images)
Socializing and communicating | Avg. hours spent per day, all people: 32 minutes – Change from 2019: 8 fewer minutes – Avg. hours spent per day, people who engage in socializing and communicating: 1 hour 59 minutes – #9 highest out of 22 activities – Avg. share of people who engage in activity per day: 27.1% – #10 highest out of 22 activities (lechatnoir/E+ via Getty Images)
Housework | Avg. hours spent per day, all people: 36 minutes - Change from 2019: 4 more minutes - Avg. hours spent per day, people who do housework: 1 hour 44 minutes - #11 highest out of 22 activities - Avg. share of people who engage in activity per day: 34.4% - #8 highest out of 22 activities (itsarasak thithuekthak/iStock via Getty Images)
Housework | Avg. hours spent per day, all people: 36 minutes – Change from 2019: 4 more minutes – Avg. hours spent per day, people who do housework: 1 hour 44 minutes – #11 highest out of 22 activities – Avg. share of people who engage in activity per day: 34.4% – #8 highest out of 22 activities (itsarasak thithuekthak/iStock via Getty Images)
Grooming | Avg. hours spent per day, all people: 36 minutes - Change from 2019: 5 fewer minutes - Avg. hours spent per day, people who engage in grooming: 50 minutes - #22 highest out of 22 activities - Avg. share of people who engage in activity per day: 73.7% - #4 highest out of 22 activities (skynesher/E+ via Getty Images)
Grooming | Avg. hours spent per day, all people: 36 minutes – Change from 2019: 5 fewer minutes – Avg. hours spent per day, people who engage in grooming: 50 minutes – #22 highest out of 22 activities – Avg. share of people who engage in activity per day: 73.7% – #4 highest out of 22 activities (skynesher/E+ via Getty Images)
Food preparation and cleanup | Avg. hours spent per day, all people: 40 minutes - Change from 2019: 3 more minutes - Avg. hours spent per day, people who engage in food preparation and cleanup: 1 hour 7 minutes - #17 highest out of 22 activities - Avg. share of people who engage in activity per day: 59.8% - #6 highest out of 22 activities (gilaxia/E+ via Getty Images)
Food preparation and cleanup | Avg. hours spent per day, all people: 40 minutes – Change from 2019: 3 more minutes – Avg. hours spent per day, people who engage in food preparation and cleanup: 1 hour 7 minutes – #17 highest out of 22 activities – Avg. share of people who engage in activity per day: 59.8% – #6 highest out of 22 activities (gilaxia/E+ via Getty Images)
Travel | Avg. hours spent per day, all people: 47 minutes - Change from 2019: 26 fewer minutes - Avg. hours spent per day, people who travel: 1 hour 10 minutes - #15 highest out of 22 activities - Avg. share of people who engage in activity per day: 67.1% - #5 highest out of 22 activities (Pekic/E+ via Getty Images)
Travel | Avg. hours spent per day, all people: 47 minutes – Change from 2019: 26 fewer minutes – Avg. hours spent per day, people who travel: 1 hour 10 minutes – #15 highest out of 22 activities – Avg. share of people who engage in activity per day: 67.1% – #5 highest out of 22 activities (Pekic/E+ via Getty Images)
Eating and drinking | Avg. hours spent per day, all people: 1 hour 4 minutes - Change from 2019: No change - Avg. hours spent per day, people who spend time eating and drinking: 1 hour 7 minutes - #17 highest out of 22 activities - Avg. share of people who engage in activity per day: 96% - #2 highest out of 22 activities (Rawpixel/Getty Images)
Eating and drinking | Avg. hours spent per day, all people: 1 hour 4 minutes – Change from 2019: No change – Avg. hours spent per day, people who spend time eating and drinking: 1 hour 7 minutes – #17 highest out of 22 activities – Avg. share of people who engage in activity per day: 96% – #2 highest out of 22 activities (Rawpixel/Getty Images)
Working and work-related activities | Avg. hours spent per day, all people: 3 hours 1 minute - Change from 2019: 18 fewer minutes - Avg. hours spent per day, people who engage in working and work-related activities: 7 hours 29 minutes - #2 highest out of 22 activities - Avg. share of people who engage in activity per day: 40.4% - #7 highest out of 22 activities (monkeybusinessimages/iStock via Getty Images)
Working and work-related activities | Avg. hours spent per day, all people: 3 hours 1 minute – Change from 2019: 18 fewer minutes – Avg. hours spent per day, people who engage in working and work-related activities: 7 hours 29 minutes – #2 highest out of 22 activities – Avg. share of people who engage in activity per day: 40.4% – #7 highest out of 22 activities (monkeybusinessimages/iStock via Getty Images)
Watching television | Avg. hours spent per day, all people: 3 hours 3 minutes - Change from 2019: 19 more minutes - Avg. hours spent per day, people who watch television: 3 hours 53 minutes - #4 highest out of 22 activities - Avg. share of people who engage in activity per day: 78.8% - #3 highest out of 22 activities (PeopleImages/Getty Images)
Watching television | Avg. hours spent per day, all people: 3 hours 3 minutes – Change from 2019: 19 more minutes – Avg. hours spent per day, people who watch television: 3 hours 53 minutes – #4 highest out of 22 activities – Avg. share of people who engage in activity per day: 78.8% – #3 highest out of 22 activities (PeopleImages/Getty Images)
Sleeping (including naps and periods of sleeplessness) | Avg. hours spent per day, all people: 9 hours 1 minute - Change from 2019: 11 more minutes - Avg. hours spent per day, people who engage in sleeping: 9 hours 1 minute - #1 highest out of 22 activities - Avg. share of people who engage in activity per day: 99.9% - #1 highest out of 22 activities (monkeybusinessimages/iStock via Getty Images)
Sleeping (including naps and periods of sleeplessness) | Avg. hours spent per day, all people: 9 hours 1 minute – Change from 2019: 11 more minutes – Avg. hours spent per day, people who engage in sleeping: 9 hours 1 minute – #1 highest out of 22 activities – Avg. share of people who engage in activity per day: 99.9% – #1 highest out of 22 activities (monkeybusinessimages/iStock via Getty Images)

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