Statistics South Africa
Encyclopedia
Statistics South Africa (frequently shortened to Stats SA) is the national statistical
service of South Africa
, with the goal of producing timely, accurate, and official statistics in order to advance economic growth
, development
, and democracy
. To this end, Statistics South Africa produces official demographic, economic, and social census
es and surveys
. To date, Statistics South Africa has produced two censuses, in 1996 and 2001
; it is currently preparing for the 2011 census
. Stats SA was previously known as the Central Statistical Service; shortly after the end of apartheid it absorbed the statistical services of the former Transkei
, Bophuthatswana
, Venda
and Ciskei
.
Statistics
Statistics is the study of the collection, organization, analysis, and interpretation of data. It deals with all aspects of this, including the planning of data collection in terms of the design of surveys and experiments....
service of South Africa
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
, with the goal of producing timely, accurate, and official statistics in order to advance economic growth
Economic development
Economic development generally refers to the sustained, concerted actions of policymakers and communities that promote the standard of living and economic health of a specific area...
, development
International development
International development or global development is a concept that lacks a universally accepted definition, but it is most used in a holistic and multi-disciplinary context of human development — the development of greater quality of life for humans...
, and democracy
Democracy
Democracy is generally defined as a form of government in which all adult citizens have an equal say in the decisions that affect their lives. Ideally, this includes equal participation in the proposal, development and passage of legislation into law...
. To this end, Statistics South Africa produces official demographic, economic, and social census
Census
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
es and surveys
Statistical survey
Survey methodology is the field that studies surveys, that is, the sample of individuals from a population with a view towards making statistical inferences about the population using the sample. Polls about public opinion, such as political beliefs, are reported in the news media in democracies....
. To date, Statistics South Africa has produced two censuses, in 1996 and 2001
South African National Census of 2001
The South African National Census of 2001 is the most recent national census of South Africa.The census was undertaken by Statistics South Africa and undertook to enumerate every person present in South Africa on the census night, 9–10 October 2001. The enumeration primarily took place from 10 to...
; it is currently preparing for the 2011 census
South African National Census of 2011
The South African National Census of 2011 is a comprehensive census performed by Statistics South Africa, the latest in a series that is done once every ten years....
. Stats SA was previously known as the Central Statistical Service; shortly after the end of apartheid it absorbed the statistical services of the former Transkei
Transkei
The Transkei , officially the Republic of Transkei , was a Bantustan—an area set aside for members of a specific ethnicity—and nominal parliamentary democracy in the southeastern region of South Africa...
, Bophuthatswana
Bophuthatswana
Bophuthatswana , officially the Republic of Bophuthatswana was a Bantustan – an area set aside for members of a specific ethnicity – and nominal parliamentary democracy in the northwestern region of South Africa...
, Venda
Venda
Venda was a bantustan in northern South Africa, now part of Limpopo province. It was founded as a homeland for the Venda people, speakers of the Venda language. It bordered modern Zimbabwe and South Africa, and is now part of Limpopo in South Africa....
and Ciskei
Ciskei
Ciskei was a Bantustan in the south east of South Africa. It covered an area of 2,970 square miles , almost entirely surrounded by what was then the Cape Province, and possessed a small coastline along the shore of the Indian Ocean....
.
Surveys conducted
- 1999 Survey of Activities of Young PeopleSurvey of Activities of Young PeopleThe Survey of Activities of Young People is a national household-based survey of work-related activities among South African children, conducted for the first time in 1999 by Statistics South Africa....
, or the SAYP. - South African National Census of 2001South African National Census of 2001The South African National Census of 2001 is the most recent national census of South Africa.The census was undertaken by Statistics South Africa and undertook to enumerate every person present in South Africa on the census night, 9–10 October 2001. The enumeration primarily took place from 10 to...
- 2007 Community Survey
- South African National Census of 2011South African National Census of 2011The South African National Census of 2011 is a comprehensive census performed by Statistics South Africa, the latest in a series that is done once every ten years....