Working patterns, leisure dynamics, and energy consumption: a time-use analysis for Italy

Recent working time reduction policies aim at achieving a triple dividend, yet their impact is uncertain due to potential rebound effects. Saved work time may be spent on energy-intensive leisure activities, complicating the overall outcomes. In our study, we conduct a time use analysis to investigate how different work schedules affect leisure time and its associated energy consumption, using the Italian Time Use Survey from Istat. Our analysis examines how predictive factors such as employment status, gender, and variables related to the household environment affect preferences for leisure activities, employing various econometric models, including Dirichlet regression which best suits compositional data. Results suggest that working time predominantly affects leisure time allocation; employment status, gender, and the presence of a teenager in the household also play a role. From an energy usage standpoint, a time rebound effect is present, although it is not mediated by the aforementioned factors.