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A recent report by the Bureau of Market Research (BMR) at Unisa provides a critical evaluation of the demographic, economic and socioeconomic aspects of the 2011 South Africa census. The evaluation was conducted by Professor Eric Udjo, Research Director of the Demographic Research Division of the BMR, and Professor Carel van Aardt, Research Director, Household Wealth Research Division of the BMR.
The 2011 South Africa Census conducted by Statistics South Africa (Stats SA) in October 2011 was the third post-apartheid census after the 1996 and 2001 censuses that covered the entire country. Censuses worldwide contain errors but the magnitude of the errors differs from one country to the other.
The BMR evaluation indicates that, as with other censuses elsewhere in the world, the 2011 South Africa Census contains certain strengths and weaknesses. In this regard it would appear that overall the 2011 census was plagued by less coverage of males relative to females but the age distribution from the census was reasonably good. According to Udjo, the 2011 census achieved better coverage of persons aged 0-4 years than in previous censuses and surveys.
It would appear that the percentage of Black Africans in the population was over-reported during the 2011 census, probably due to some coloureds and Indians (to a lesser degree) reporting they were black Africans for political and ideological reasons, says Udjo.
Despite inconsistencies in derived numbers of births, children alive, and children dead compared with the reported numbers, the age-specific fertility rates were of very good quality – better than in the 1996 and 2001 censuses (see figure 1). According to Udjo, mortality data are usually problematic in surveys and censuses. A critical evaluation of the report on child survival suggests that there was substantial underreporting of dead children during the 2011 census.
According to the BMR evaluation, the 2011 census data provide valuable demographic information on current demographic patterns. By employing appropriate demographic modeling techniques the demographic information from the 2011 Census can provide a basis for informed decision making for planning in the public and private sectors.
The BMR report provides essential demographic estimates for South Africa for decision makers.
Evaluating the demographic, economic and socioeconomic aspects of the 2011 South Africa Census (Research Report No 430) was compiled by Professor Eric Udjo (Research Director, Bureau of Market Research) and Professor Carel van Aardt (Research Director, Bureau of Market Research).
*Submitted by Madeleine Goetz
