Sources and Methods: Labour Statistics
Volume 5: Population Censuses

South Africa

1.Name and address of the organization responsible for the census:

Central Statistical Service, Private Bag x 44, Steyn's Arcade, 274 Schoeman Street, Pretoria 0001.

2.Population censuses conducted since 1945 (years):

1946, 1951, 1960, 1970, 1980, 1985 and 1991. The present description relates to the 1991 census (held on 7 March).

3.Coverage of the census:

(a) Geographical scope

Republic of South Africa (Transkei, Bophuthatswana, Venda and Ciskei countries excluded).

(b) Persons covered

All persons of all ages.

4.Reference period:

The census day.

5.Main topics:

(a) Total population, by sex and age: yes

Economically active population by:

(b) Sex and age group: yes

(c) Industry: yes

(d) Occupation: yes

(e) Status in employment: yes

(f) Highest educational level: yes

(g) Hours of work: no

(h) Other characteristics: yes

Re (a): The age is defined both in terms of year of birth and in terms of age at last birthday.

Re (h): The census also collected information on annual income.

6.Concepts and definitions:

(a) Economically active population

It comprises all persons who, on the census day, were either employed or unemployed, according to the definitions given below. No age limits were fixed for inclusion in the economically active population and its components; however the data published refer to persons aged 15 years and over. The definition excludes foreigners employed by foreign governments, persons spending less than three months in the country, students working part time and students seeking work, but includes members of the armed forces.

(b) Employment

Considered as employed are all persons who identified their present work status on the census day as either Employer/Self employed or Employee.

It is reported that the following categories are included:

  1. persons doing unpaid work in family firm or business;
  2. persons engaged in the production of primary products for own consumption;
  3. employed persons, temporarily absent from work;
  4. seasonal or occasional workers;
  5. conscripts for military/civilian service;
  6. apprentices and trainees.
Only artisan-related apprentices and trainees can be identified separately.

(c) Unemployment

Considered as unemployed are all persons who identified their present work status on the census day as Unemployed (looking for work). Persons not working and not looking for work were not considered as unemployed and were coded separately.

7.Classifications used:

Only employed persons are classified by industry. Both employed persons and unemployed persons previously employed are classified by occupation and by status in employment.

(a) Industry

To determine industry group, employed and self-employed persons were asked to indicate the name and the economic sector of the employer/self-employed (e.g. glass factory, gold mine, building of bridges, stockbrokers, camping site, beauty parlour, etc). For coding industry, 40 groups of the national classification were used. Links to the ISIC-rev.2 have been established to the division (2-digit) level.

(b) Occupation

To determine occupation group, employed persons and unemployed persons previously employed were asked to indicate their main or last occupation. The nature of work done is required, e.g. bricklayer, typist, domestic worker, etc. In the case of public servants the rank/occupational class must be given, e.g. deputy director, brigadier, etc. For coding occupation, 165 groups of the national classification were used. Links to the ISCO-68 have been established, but not systematically at the same level.

(c) Status in employment

To determine this variable, employed persons and unemployed persons previously employed were asked to indicate their status in employment for which two coding groups were used, namely: employer/self-employed (including workers for own account and family workers); and employee.

8.Main differences compared with the previous census:

Concerning the data collection procedures, approximately 20% of the population in 88 areas was enumerated on a sample basis. A representative probability sample of occupied shacks or residential premises was drawn in each of the areas and all persons who usually sleep in the shacks or on the premises were enumerated. The sample was designed with the aid of aerial photographs which were taken during February 1991, as close as possible to census day. Preliminary aerial photography was undertaken in certain areas for the designing of the samples. Aerial photographs of these areas were again taken during February 1991.

9.Publication of the census results:

The final results as enumerated were published in March 1992 and the final results after adjustment for undercount in December 1992. A number of other publications on the census results are available.

The organization responsible for these publications is the Central Statistical Service, Private Bag x44, Pretoria 0001.

Unpublished tables, published reports on magnetic tape and the full census data set on magnetic tape are available from the Central Statistical Service. Special tabulations can also be compiled for a fee which covers the cost of programming and processing.