In this study, I classified dual-earner couple households into three cluster groups―the work-oriented (WO), role-distinct (RD), and work-childcare coordinating (WCC) groups―based on the composition of time they spent on paid work, housework, and childcare.
Between 2019 and 2024, the percentage of the WO group declined slightly, while the proportion of the WCC group increased, indicating a gradual shift in time allocation among dual-earner households. However, WO couple households continued to account for the largest share.
Each of these three groups demonstrated a gradual shift of its own in time allocation to paid work, housework, and childcare, while still maintaining its dual-earner structure. For some groups, though not all, increases were observed in men’s time spent on childcare. Similarly, women in certain groups showed increases in hours devoted to paid work and childcare and reduced time spent on housework. From 2019 to 2024, time allocation among these couple households tended toward a greater balance between men and women and between work and family, a trend likely facilitated by a combination of increased labor market participation among women, the cumulative effect of government work-family balance policies, and changing public perception of gender equality.
A notable finding is that among those with high childcare needs―defined here as having two or more children of ages requiring close care―couples showed a stronger tendency to adjust their time allocation around paid work and childcare. However, as the WO group remained the majority among couples with children of ages requiring close care, their adjustments in time allocation may place a greater burden on women than on men. This points to the need to allow dual-earner couples to adjust their working hours and to broaden the scope of work-family balance policies.