Parental Time Poverty and Multidimensional Child Poverty in Ghana

Time poverty among parents — the lack of sufficient time for caregiving due to work and household demands — is a growing concern in Ghana. Children in households where parents are time-poor often face disadvantages in nutrition, education, and emotional support. This study examines how parental time poverty contributes to multidimensional child poverty, situating time as a critical resource alongside income. The broader challenge is that poverty is multidimensional, encompassing not only financial deprivation but also deficits in care and attention. Dual-working households, single parents, and those with heavy labor demands are particularly vulnerable. This research highlights the hidden dimension of time poverty in shaping child welfare outcomes.

Survey data was collected across diverse households, capturing parental time allocation, work demands, and child welfare indicators. Multidimensional poverty indices were applied to assess the relationship between time poverty and child outcomes. Econometric models controlled for income, household size, and education to isolate the effects of time poverty. Qualitative interviews provided narratives of parental struggles and coping strategies. This dual approach ensured findings were both statistically rigorous and grounded in lived realities.