time poverty

USAGE SUMMARY

"time poverty" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is often used to refer to the feeling of not having enough time to do all of the things one wants or needs to do. For example, "She worked full-time and raised three children, so she felt like she was living in a state of constant time poverty."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

39 human-written examples

By Zhang Lu's time, poverty and misery had become endemic to the peasantry of central China.

Encyclopedia Britannica

"Security impedes prosperity, but at the same time, poverty feeds extremists".

The New York Times

Perhaps more significantly, women bear a disproportionate work burden that can result in "time poverty".

The Guardian

One of the key barriers to empowerment is what has been referred to as women's "time poverty" as a result of heavy workload.

The Guardian

According to the Census, the last time poverty fell in the United States was in 2000, when there were 31.1 million people officially classed as poor.

The New York Times

Democracy is meant to hold power to account, but in a world of spin doctors, time poverty and politico-economic illiteracy, democracies are failing to do so.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

20 human-written examples

Ms. Barret shows us headlines from The New York Times ("Poverty, Squalor and Idleness Prevail in Mountain Area") and CBS news film from a report by Charles Kuralt, which showed poor rural children singing Christmas carols.

The New York Times - Arts

There's plenty of technology around restaurant and food delivery, Smith said, "but what about real-time poverty?" Examples of startups that are trying to effect change for marginalized populations include mRelief, which helps to ensure low-income students get access to meals over the summer, and HandUp, which helps homeless people access resources via crowdfunding.

TechCrunch

Some of them are leftovers from old times, times of poverty and fear.

The Guardian

This casts doubt on theories about the time-poverty of contemporary Britons, which should encourage snack-narratives to flourish.

The Guardian - Books

Often the brief respite from long-term unemployment comes in form of part-time, poverty-wage jobs.

The Guardian - Money

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing socioeconomic factors, use "time poverty" to highlight how a lack of discretionary time affects well-being, access to resources, and overall quality of life.

Common error

Avoid using "time poverty" interchangeably with simple busyness. The term specifically refers to a chronic lack of discretionary time stemming from systemic pressures like economic hardship or unequal distribution of labor, not just a busy schedule.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "time poverty" functions as a noun phrase typically used as a subject or object in a sentence. It refers to the state of having insufficient time available, often due to socioeconomic factors. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

48%

Encyclopedias

4%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "time poverty" is a noun phrase that refers to the state of lacking sufficient discretionary time, often stemming from socioeconomic factors. Ludwig AI validates its correct usage and frequency. It is most commonly found in scientific and news contexts to describe societal issues. When using the phrase, it's important to distinguish it from simple busyness, emphasizing the systemic constraints that lead to this lack of time. Consider related phrases like "time scarcity" or "lack of free time" for variations in meaning. Be mindful of the audience and context to ensure the phrase resonates with its intended analytical depth.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

time-starved

Implies a severe lack of time, causing significant stress and difficulty in managing daily life.

time scarcity

Highlights the limited availability of time, framing it as a scarce resource.

time deficit

Suggests a shortfall in available time, similar to a financial deficit.

lack of free time

Focuses directly on the absence of leisure time, rather than the broader implications of "time poverty".

burdened by time constraints

Focuses on the limiting effect of having insufficient time on one's activities and choices.

pressed for time

Indicates a sense of urgency and a lack of sufficient time to complete tasks.

time crunch

Emphasizes the feeling of being under pressure due to a lack of time.

stretched too thin

Emphasizes the feeling of being overburdened and unable to dedicate sufficient time to each responsibility.

chronically busy

Describes a state of constant busyness, implying a lack of control over one's time.

overwhelmed by commitments

Highlights the feeling of being burdened by too many responsibilities, leading to a lack of time.

FAQs

How is "time poverty" different from simply being busy?

"Time poverty" refers to a chronic lack of discretionary time due to systemic pressures like economic constraints or unequal distribution of labor, impacting well-being and opportunities. Simply being busy might be a temporary state or a matter of personal choices.

What are some of the main causes of "time poverty"?

Causes include long working hours, the double burden of paid and unpaid work (especially for women), lack of access to affordable childcare or eldercare, and living in areas with poor transportation infrastructure.

What are some solutions to address "time poverty"?

Potential solutions involve policies that promote work-life balance, such as paid parental leave, affordable childcare, flexible working arrangements, and investments in public transportation and social safety nets.

What can I say instead of "time poverty"?

You can use alternatives like "time scarcity", "lack of free time", or "time-starved" depending on the context.